Recruiting Report: Noah Baldwin (2016)

Noah Baldwin never got a chance to showcase his skills in July.While most players were able to travel the circuit and display their games in front of numerous college coaches, the 2016 point guard was forced to develop on his own. Baldwin chose to suit up for Pandhandle Elite, a program based in Torrington, Wyoming and played for the Eastern Wyoming College coach, serving as an AAU coach as well. In the spring, he and his club teammates practiced with the college guys and became more accustomed to the level of speed they’ll see after high school. Baldwin did compete in games during the spring season. All was well until a number of his teammates traveled with their high school teams during the July period, at the last minute, instead of Panhandle Elite and his team’s schedule fell through. An opportunity was missed, but motivation was gained as Baldwin is even more determined to wrap up his Windsor Wizard career in style and garner more college interest. And yes, he’s been putting in the work to do just that. “Right now I’m kind of underweight for what I want to be,” Baldwin said, standing 6-foot-1 and around 160 pounds. “I’ve been lifting every day. I want to finish better around the rim through contact. I’ve been putting on some weight, so I can finish those. I’m also trying to improve my vertical.” After a junior year marked by stat-stuffing with averages of 10.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals and a run to the Class 4A Sweet 16, Baldwin is eager for more. “My senior goals are that I’m trying to beat out Chris Helbig from Holy Family for Tri-Valley Player of the Year and I’m also trying to lead the conference in assists,” he said. “I want to average more points. Team goals, I hope we win conference and obviously I would like to get to Boulder (Final Four) any way I can.” A former football player for Windsor, Baldwin gave up the gridiron before his junior year to focus on hoops and says he noticed how much his game took off, as a result. “He’s a very good decision maker, very smart with the basketball,” Windsor coach Dustin Duncan said. “He’s definitely what you want in a point guard.” With excellent vision and an all-around game to match, Baldwin’s coach hopes the senior looks for his own shot more often. He buried 43 percent of his three-point attempts last year. “He’s a very good shooter,” Duncan said. “I would like to see him be a more selfish player actually.” Baldwin has been receiving Division II interest. “Everyone’s goal is to play Division I, but my practical goal is Division II,” he said. “Somewhere in the RMAC would be awesome. Those NAIA’s would be fine too. Anyone who gives me a chance, I’m going to play.”