First just some background information on why he asked for his release from the University of South Florida Baxter and why he is only looking at West Coast schools?
USF is under NCAA investigation for academic fraud and
that has created a less than desirable environment, especially for a true freshman, to begin their college career at. That ordeal, which began in late July, has reportedly taken a toll on Baxter so he decided to ask for his release from
his National Letter of Intent.
Because he got released very late in the year, he was forced to look at a limited number of schools that had room on their roster to begin with. ASU,UCLA and UNLV are schools that first and foremost peaked Baxter’s interest the most but also had room to begin with to add him as a scholarship player who is eligible to play immediately.
I talked to Troy Baxter Sr. about his son’s interest in ASU and here is what he had to say:
On how the connection with ASU began:
“I attended ASU briefly between 1987-89, I was on a football scholarship. One of Troy’s coaches reached out to some people he knew. We got our release on Friday and the ball started rolling and ASU was one of the first schools to call us.
“I follow Coach Hurley and he is a very good guy. I like where he came from and how he came up as a player. I have nothing but respect for him and I’m sure he will carry that tradition on there (at ASU).”
On how he would describe his son’s game:
“Troy is 6-8 190 lbs. He's very athletic and can get up and down the court. His weakness is his ball handling, but he can do everything else: rebound, shoot the three and guard any position on the court.”
On his visit schedule
“We’re visiting UNLV on Tuesday and Wednesday and Arizona State on Thursday and Friday. We’re going to visit UCLA later in the month (of September, as UCLA is currently on an Australian trip through August 31st).”
“Academics are the most important to us and relationship with the coaches is no. 2. That (relationships) is something that is very important to my family because we have been going through a lot (with USF).”
So my take on this that ASU is probably in a better spot than UNLV but not sure about UCLA, since this will be his last visit and the Baxter camp is willing to wait until the Bruins come back from Australia over the Labor Day weekend.
You now have the issue of the academic calendar, and due to the fact that ASU began its classes on August 19th, if Baxter did choose ASU the process would have to move very quickly right after his visit for him to get enrolled in time for the fall semester and subsequently be able to play come November.
Because UCLA is on the quarter system they don’t begin classes until late September so time is on their side, so to speak, with this whole recruiting process. Now, if Baxter does wait a week or so after the ASU visit to make his decision not sure ASU would be able to still enroll him in time. UNLV may be fine with their academic calendar, but again I don’t see them contending as heavily for his services.
If ASU were to land Baxter it will serve a solid insurance policy in the event that Romello White is ruled ineligible this year, and if White is eligible, now your front court has really bolstered its talent level.
Here is a
link to Baxter’s video highlights
Doug & Wolf Show@DougandWolf987
