College Commitment: Josh Baugher (2021 Santiam Christian)

The past twelve months have dragged at times for Josh Baugher Josh Baugher 6'6" | CG Santiam Christian | 2021 State OR . No doubt the pandemic has played a major role but the versatile 6-foot-7 swingman has also spent his time rehabbing from injury as well. Baugher is all the way back now and ready to roll this season at Santiam Christian and will be doing so as a committed recruit, having announced on Monday night that he’ll be playing college ball at Dordt (IA).

"I felt a really good connection with the coaches, the guys there, and it’s a really good Christian environment," Baugher said. "It’s also really good educationally, and that was a pull. They really recruited me hard. I really love what the coaches stand for and I like the town, Sioux Center. I really wanted to go to the Midwest as I like the culture there. All-around, it was all super attractive."

Baugher made his decision not long after making a visit to campus, where he got a chance to watch the Defenders play on senior night. He also considered and visited other Division II and NAIA schools such as Hillsdale, Malone (OH), Bethel (IN) and Taylor (IN) - the last of which older brother Zach currently attends. But Dordt checked off the most boxes and Baugher liked the fit on the basketball floor as well.

"The coach said that he’s going to use me as a stretch four," Baugher said. "But it’s not like a usual stretch four, I’m going to be a point four almost. They like very versatile players, so I’m not just going to be a post player. I’m pretty excited about that."

Baugher has the ability to play inside and out and was having a banner year in 2019-20 before a knee injury shelved him for the season. He immediately got to work on getting back, recently got into a few AAU tournaments with Team Jones, and now he’s ready for the his senior year.

"It was long - it was shorter than expected but it felt really long," Baugher said. "But we had a trainer at my school and we worked four-to-five times a week and I slowly got back into shape and got stronger. I’m basically 100 percent now."

Santiam Christian, on paper, appears to be one of the favorites in 3A and whether or not there is a state tournament, Baugher is happy to be playing again for his team and to get ready for the college level.

"I think if we have state, we’d definitely be a contender," Baugher said. "But I’m just happy to have a season right now. I want to get bigger and stronger and I want to extend my range a little more. I just want to get mentally prepared for the physicalness there at the college level."

A 4.0 student, Baugher notes that he wants to major in health and human performance at Dordt. He currently ranks as the #15 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.