Emerging 2019 PG Baugh 'Surprised' By Florida Offer
Heading into the first of two April evaluation periods Damion Baugh’s recruitment was probably best described as lukewarm. Things heated up very quickly, however, after college coaches watched the Team Thad point guard in Dallas April 20-22. That is when the scholarship offers from programs like Georgia, LSU, TCU, Houston and Ole Miss began coming in for the Nashville native.
Baugh a 6-foot-3, 190 pound three-star point guard out of Tennessee Prep Academy (Memphis, Tenn.) picked up 11 offers since April 22 including one from Florida – which GatorsTerritory.com first reported on June 4.
“The Florida offer that was a surprise,” Baugh said. “I didn’t think they were going to offer me. They were recruiting (Team Thad teammate) Jaykwon Walton so I think they were at our games for him.”
Assistant coach Jordan Mincy is leading the Gators recruitment of Baugh.
“Coach Mincy text me every day,” Baugh said. “He told me about the national championship run they had with Joakim Noah and we talk about Cheese a lot, Chris Chiozza. He just told me that I can play a lot there if I defend well, how I’m doing now.”
As for his overall recruitment, Baugh told us that he hasn’t taken any unofficial visits yet but a few schools are starting to stand out.
“The schools that have made me a priority I would say are Houston, Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU, Florida and Vanderbilt.” Baugh continued, “I plan on taking my official visits in September during football season.”
Building relationship with coaches is important to recruits and their families. With 11 new offers in less than 45 days, not to mention the schools who are contacting him but haven’t’ offered yet, Baugh has several new “friends” he is getting to know. Which coaches have made early inroads in the relationship building department?
“Coach Kelvin Sampson from Houston and Coach Tom Crean from Georgia,” said Baugh.
“Coach Sampson he just calls me every day and just tells me that he doesn’t care what college I go to just don’t fall in love with the campus. Fall in love with the head coach because he’s the one controlling the playing time. Tom Crean he Facetimes me like once or twice every day. We just talk a lot.”
Baugh, who is averaging 10.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game for Memphis based Team Thad (6-2) in the Under Armour Association, has connected on 51 percent of his field goal attempts. The 6-foot-3 guard is also Team Thad’s leading rebounder.
“I didn’t know I had a rebounding talent,” said Baugh. “I just want the ball. I know if I can get the ball then I can get the wings to run.”
Since his high school season ended Baugh told us that he has been working on his jump shot and spending time in the weight room getting stronger. “I’d say about 15 pounds,” he said about his gains. “It helps me finish through contact.”
According to Synergy Sports Technology 60 percent of Baugh’s field goal attempts, in half court sets, have been around the basket (not Post-Ups) where contact is almost a given. Baugh is making 62.5 percent of those field goals and ranks in the 92nd percentile of all Under Armour Association players in points per possession at 1.333 in around the basket (not Post-Ups) possessions.
We spoke with Norton Hurd IV, program director and 17U head coach for Team Thad, to get his thoughts on Baugh.
IN THE WORDS OF HIS COACH
He definitely has had a rising spring and been playing like one of the best players on our team and in the south right now. That’s what draws him a lot of interest and offers from some of the top schools in the country including Coach Mike White and Coach Jordan Mincy who are very, very high on him right now.
They like him and how much he does on the court and they feel like Florida would be a good fit. They’re very excited about Damion, you hear what I’m saying?
WHAT’S NEXT?
Baugh doesn’t have any unofficial visits scheduled but said that he has been talking with the coaches at Vanderbilt about taking one there. He also told us that he will be attending the Under Armour All-American Camp. Team Thad will be playing in Florida in July but will not be able to visit Gainesville that week per NCAA rules.
GT REACTION
With his play in the Under Armour Circuit and at the Pangos AA camp, Baugh is making a strong case to enter the Rivals150 in the next update. He repeatedly gets to the rim to score, is a very good facilitator and a terrific defender. A reliable jump shot will open the floor for him. Florida has seen plenty of Baugh and has a great relationship with the Team Thad program staff. The success that Chris Chiozza – a Team Thad alum – had in Gainesville definitely helps the Gators here. We anticipate Baugh committing before the end of October and signing during the early signing period in November.