Prospect Spotlight: Carter Baughman (2019)
We are on the tail end of summer basketball and around the country, college prospects at all levels are working on their game and working toward earning an opportunity to play at the next level. Prep Hoops Kentucky puts the spotlight on prospects around the Bluegrass State.
Mercer County‘s returning starting point guard, Carter Baughman enters his Junior season with lofty goals for both his team and himself. Baughman averaged 5 points per game to go with 4 assists and a rebound per game. Carter shot 41% from behind the 3 point line while running a team that won 25 games and lost the regional championship game to Pulaski County. PHKY recently caught up with the 5’10” floor general to discuss his AAU season and upcoming high school season.
PHKY: Describe your game. What do you do best? What are you working to improve? Do you model you game after anyone?
CB: I would describe my game as a pass first point guard, always trying to get everyone involved and make the right play. I have a tight handle and am very fast with the ball. I have been working on getting stronger and more explosive to be prepared to play taller and stronger players. I don’t really try and model my game after anyone. I try and just be the complete package as a point guard by practicing different things everyday.
PHKY: Recap your AAU season.
CB: I played with M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs this summer and it was a great experience in so many ways. I got to compete with the best talent across the nation and play in places I never thought I would like Las Vegas and Myrtle Beach. I also got to make new and good relationships with the players and coaches on the team.
PHKY: It’s early in your recruiting, but have you heard from any colleges?
CB: i have yet to get my first offer but I receive letters and emails quite often. The school I get contact from the most is Liberty University. Others have sent a few, like: Findlay (Ohio), Lincoln Memorial (TN) and a few others.
PHKY: What are you looking for in a college?
CB: I would like to try and attend an in state Division I program so I can stay close to my family and still compete at the highest level possible for me.
PHKY: What are your goals for the upcoming high school season?
CB: This season, I would like to win the district for the 4th year in a row and compete for a region championship for the 3rd year in row and go on to compete at Rupp with the best teams in the state. For my individual goals, I would like to average around 12 points per game and shoot 45% from the field while averaging 6+ assists per game. I would also like to make all region team.
Unfortunately, Baughman will start his junior season with his third different head coach in three years after Kurt Young left Harrodsburg for the brand new Fredrick Douglass High in Lexington. If summer ball is any indication, Carter is in for an expanded scoring role this season and figures to handle the majority of the ball handling duties for a Titan team that figures to compete for the 12th Region Championship again.