Prospect Spotlight: Bryan Baptiste (2018)
Basha high school was one of the best, most exciting teams in the state last year, but after the losses of twin towers Klay Stall (Utah State) and Devin Kirby (Montana State), the bears will need other players to step…
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Continue ReadingBasha high school was one of the best, most exciting teams in the state last year, but after the losses of twin towers Klay Stall (Utah State) and Devin Kirby (Montana State), the bears will need other players to step in and contribute. While the name Gabe McGlothan is known, and Brennen Davis is up and coming, Bryan Baptiste looks to step in and be the engine to try to gear this team towards a state title.
After a solid spring session playing with Arizona Power, Baptiste was looking forward to stepping into the starting point guard role for Basha, but broke his pinky finger in the beginning of June. While this could have been seen as a setback, Bryan says that the injury gave him the chance to “see the game from a different perspective and learn when to make certain plays for others, and also when to take it yourself”. He credits Basha assistant coach James McCabe for taking the time to teach him more of the nuances of the game while he was out with the injury. For a guard like Baptiste, who has the skill set to be successful, but has yet to be taught how to command a team as a point guard and control the game, this experience may actually be the best thing that could have happened to him.
With the return of McGlothan, Davis, and two-star standout Terrell Brown, Basha should be one of the more athletic teams in the state. Baptiste sees this as one of the reasons that the goals for the team should be a region championship, then a state title. He also plans on them being “the best defensive team in the state”. It is this mentality that drives him to want to be the best and be a key piece to a winning program.
As an upcoming Junior, Bryan already has his eyes on the next level as well. While he has yet to see recruitment pick up, his ambition is to play college basketball. He offers a college program a hard working point guard that is defensive minded and unselfish, while looking to get to a situation that fosters a good culture in their program. Asked about playing with players that have had a good level of recruitment and what it has taught him, he offered this, “It has all taught me to be humble, not to get caught up in the hype, and just to be myself throughout the process when that time comes”.
Baptiste is a lightning quick point guard that plays hard on both ends. Utilizing his quickness and strength, he is able to blow past defenders on one end, while picking up full court on the other. He is also a deadly shooter from deep with impressive range. While he lacks the height to catch the attention of NCAA Division 1 schools, he could develop into a player at the mid D2/NAIA level.
Twitter: @BryanBaptiste_
IG: @BryanBaptiste_
Sum yourself up in one sentence: “Bryan Baptiste is a respectful, hard working young man that gives it his all and doesn’t give up.”