Baxter picking up steam
MORE: Class of 2015 Rivals150
Summer recruiting is in full swing and several members of the class of 2016 are emerging as sought-after targets.
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One such player is forward Troy Baxter of The Rock School in Gainesville (FL). Baxter, who told us that he's now 6-foot-9 and 181 pounds, is a four-star prospect that could make his debut in the Top 100 when Rivals.com updates the rankings for the 2016 class this week.
Baxter took a five hour road trip from his home in Tallahassee to Tampa this weekend to attend USF's team camp, and he said things went very well.
"I love the campus it's nice," said Baxter. "It's a clean campus, its quiet. I love the practice facility, it's nice. And all the Under Armour, too.
The rising junior was not in Tampa to just check out the campus though. He was hoping to earn an offer with a strong showing in the team camp and he did just that.
"I was excited," Baxter said of the moment USF head coach Orlando Antigua made the offer. "He apparently saw something in me because he's been around pros all his life."
The rising junior updated us on how he's been playing and what he's been doing to improve.
"I've really been playing well," Baxter said. "I'm trying to get used to playing the "3" now. I've been working on my dribbling, shooting and getting low when dribbling the ball."
Listing offers from Kansa State and Tennessee, Baxter said he's been hearing from those two schools and a few others quite a bit recently.
"Recently I'm hearing from USF, Kansas State, Tennessee, Mississippi State and UCF the most," Baxter said. "I'm starting to get a good relationship with Coach Orlando [Antigua of USF]. He texts me every now and then and gives me good advice. Coach Flanigan from Mississippi State calls me a lot."
In a few days, a recruiting dead period begins that will prevent prospects from taking unofficial visits but Baxter said he may squeeze one in before hitting the road with his Team Breakdown 16U team for the July AAU schedule.
"I may visit UCF in July," he said. "I'm scheduled to go to Tennessee in August."
Baxter is a run/jump athlete that can knock down open jump shots but that is an area for improvement. His length and agility allow him to make highlight reel plays. As he improves his skill set and gets stronger he will become difficult to defend.
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