Athens Prep Academy loads up with 4 solid prospects in the 2019 class
Tyrus Baynham Jr. wants to develop more as a player and play on a national schedule in his senior year of high school. That’s the reason why Baynham will be leaving Franklin Road Academy and taking his talents to Athens Prep Academy.
After talking with family and thinking every process through, Baynham thanked his former coaching staff from FRA and his trainers Donald Wynn, Jamal Richardson, and his father, Tyrus Baynham Sr. before making his final decision.
It wasn’t easy to leave a program he had grown so close to being with, but thanks to his close relationship with coach Tyler Soffiantino, who’s Baynham’s new coach, Athens Prep seemed like a great fit for Baynham to continue to progress on the court. Athens Prep wasn’t the only school that was interested in Baynham’s services. Huntington Prep, Hamilton Heights, and Tennessee Prep Academy were the other schools Baynham was considering.
Baynham is a 6-foot-4 ½, 190-pound small forward that’s capable of playing at shooting guard. His ball handling will need to improve, but he’s a solid defender and can make shots from the outside. Depending on the lineup at Athens Prep will determine what position Baynham will play. The great thing is that he’s comfortable at shooting guard and small forward.
Heading into his senior season, Baynham has plenty of goals in mind.
“I want to win. I want to develop myself more; I want to become more skilled,” Baynham said. “I want to show my full athleticism; I want to expand my 3-point range and my ball handling.”
Baynham’s only offer is from Tennessee State University, but has interests from Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State, Wichita State, Belmont, UAB, and Murray State. Earlier this year, Baynham considered reclassifying to be a part of the 2020 class. As of right now, he’s not going to reclassify, but will keep that option in the back of his head if he needs to use it after this season.
Baynham isn’t the only local talent from the state of Tennessee that will be heading to Athens Prep. Guards Keishawn Davidson, Avishai Lowery, and James Franklin Jr. will join Baynham. Davidson is a 6-2 point guard coming from Oakland High School. He originally committed to MTSU in November of last year, but decommitted on April 18, 2018 after former Blue Raiders coach Kermit Davis accepted the same position at Ole Miss. Davidson averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists last season.
Davidson is still interested in MTSU and holds other offers from UAB and Austin Peay.
Franklin (Siegel High School) is a 6-4 wing that gives Athens Prep the length it needs. He holds offers from East Carolina, Kennesaw State, MTSU, Southern Miss, and UAB. Lowery (Pope John Paul II High School) is a 5-11 point guard with solid court vision.