Damion Baugh Recruiting Update (2019)
Formerly a top 10 player in 2018, then an out-of-state talent, Damion Baugh is back in the @PrepHoopsTN top ten again.
Damion left Antioch, Tennessee’s Cane Ridge High School for Lincoln Prep Academy (GA) in August 2017, as detailed in The Transfer of Damion Baugh.
It did not work out.
“He transferred to us in January,” shared Tennessee Prep Academy Head Coach Harold Rayford. “They had some issues going on down there. He got out of there. I think he was going to reclass either way to 2019.”
Damion Baugh has reclassed. He will graduate as a 2019 and he is again ranked in the top 10…this time as a Class of 2019 college prospect.
“We welcomed him with open arms,” said Coach Rayford.
After a fantastic April with Team Thad 17u, the May flowers are indeed blooming for Baugh.
Univerisity of Georgia has offered the athletic BIG-TIME playmaking PG -6’4 Damion Baugh @_swaggyd2_…. SUMMER is Near! pic.twitter.com/zfSYfqzaP0
— Tenn Prep Academy (@tennprepacademy) May 21, 2018
“Houston, SMU, Tulsa,” shared Coach Rayford. “He picked up some heavy ones.”
Ole Miss might be hosting the entire Tennessee Prep Academy team for camp next month. Are they interested in Damion at all?
“I spoke to Ole Miss this morning about him,” said Coach Rayford. “They want him on the visit, but there has been no offer.”
As April wrapped Damion Baugh shared a school list with PrepHoopsTN. His only offers were Houston, UAB and South Alabama.
“Wichita State, Xavier. Missouri State, Arkansas State” emerged as interested schools in Baugh’s words.
In the last three weeks alone Baugh added SMU, Wyoming, Arkansas State, Tulsa, and now Georgia offered. Georgia’s Head Coach Tom Crean has a history of wonderful talent evaluations. He identified Wesley Matthews (NBA) and developed him at Marquette. Most of the 2000 National Champion Michigan State Spartan players were scouted and recruited by then MSU Assistant Coach Tom Crean, so much so that a year after Crean left State the program still honored him with a National Champion ring.
The Georgia offer is Damion Baugh’s first SEC offer. That Tom Crean extended it suggest Coach Crean knows something other SEC coaches don’t just yet. The astute Coach Crean knows Baugh will be a special high major basketball player.
Hurt 'em @_swaggyd2_ !!! @TeamThad21 17u vs. Muiday Elite (Houston). pic.twitter.com/X7WAbQdMRC
— PrepHoopsTennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) April 27, 2018
Always quick, always capable of slicing through defenses, the thin Damion Baugh added a lot of strength and muscle in his upper body/shoulder area last year.
“It has changed a lot,” said Baugh. “I have been in the weight room (and) in the gym a a lot, well every day since this past season. So, yeah.”
Have he noticed a difference on the court?
“Yes sir. A lot of a difference.”
Ideally Damion Baugh would like to get up to 200 pounds “before I go away to college. I am 189 right now.”
The number of college options are growing just as fast as his good weight.
“He is very mature,” said Coach Rayford. “He was ready to get things started in Memphis. Penny Hardaway is recruiting him now.”
And it continues.