KAEO Chris Baldwin

[Marty Peretz]

Ancillary benefit of his signing is that it generates a bit more buzz in Western Mass/Springfield hoop circles. That's 50 more seats a game filled at Mullins due to the local angle.

[MassMan06]

And we're back! Guess this site is getting a lot of traffic this morning...

[Ron Burgundy]

This kid is gonna be a beast for us! Physically mature with some bounce, it's like Christmas around here

[vanmeter]

In the immortal words of Vince Lombardi - 'What the hell's going on out here.'

[MJatUM]

The site being down today actually helped me get some work done.. A legit talent from the state (Same area code nonetheless!) should satisfy everyone's possible needs. Excited about what Chris can do in this offense. Sounds like he wants to work on his handle and shooting too. I just hope he doesn't lose the main things that got him here. I think he'll ultimately be a banger but if he can add the occasional 3 or beat his guy off a dribble face-up, my lord that will be exciting.

[UMassHoops]

Amazing! We are going to need a good nickname for this class.

[outsidethebox008]

"Sweet 16" seems natural seeing as they are the 2016 recruiting class... although this group may actually have goals that far surpass a sweet 16...

[sbloombe]

Someone just posted a new mixtape of Chris yesterday. You can see the work he's put in to getting in shape if you compare it to some older videos. Definitely has me hype for what he can do at UMass!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-9485w4PBk

[outsidethebox008]

This kid is going to be an absolute stud here. Can shoot from 18 out, super physical in the paint AND has some skill in the post. I think he has potential to dominate down low in the a10 with those skills and his size.

[Rudy]

Someone should send condolences to James Flint.

I watched film and Baldwin isn't as athletic as Gresham. But he is more the true '5' to Gresham's '4'.

Big body, lane clogger, shot blocker, intimidator type, while Gresham plays the skilled post.

In other words, we have a new 'Bruiser.

[NilesGold]

^ Neither Baldwin or Gresham are the same level athlete as Esho, but they're both pretty athletic for big men, they are both quicker off the deck than Lalanne. One doesn't seem noticeably more athletic than the other to me, but they are pretty different in other ways. As you said, Baldwin seems to be the much more physical of the two and has a much bigger natural build whereas Gresham is wiry. Baldwin seems to also have better hands and a more polished offensive game. I've heard from several people that in the last year Baldwin has displayed excellent awareness, execution, hustle and communication when it comes to team defense. Gresham has shown himself to be an excellent shot-blocker, rebounder and defender. I watched an EYBL playoff game betwen BABC and EP Elite this summer, Gresham used his length and threat of the blocked shot to totally nullify Kevin Marfo.

[69MG]

^ I don't want this to seem like a criticism of Maxie, because he did a lot of good things to help the program but I will gladly take a slightly less athletic version with a much higher "basketball IQ". All I have for comparison are the videos of Gresham and Baldwin that most of us have watched. Gresham looks to be close to Maxie in athleticism, with great instincts for shot blocking. Baldwin, as has been mentioned, is more of a physical player who apparently can shoot from 12-18 feet. This looks like a great combination of a 4 and 5 for us along with Hines, who I think can be a very good player once he "gets used to the speed of the college game" as DK likes to say. If Holloway, who is said to have great hands and footwork, ever gets in shape and can be a factor, we will have a dominant frontcourt for a number of years.

Unfortunately, we have to get through this season first.

[TheInsider]

He's by no means the leaper Maxie was. What I like though is that it seems he has good timing and is quick of the floor. Kid already has some good skill. Given another year in a really good league and he should play from day 1 here. Let's not forget Maxie couldn't dribble a basket ball when he got here.

[xlgman]

The old story on Baldwin was apparently that he didn't give 100% all the time. I've always wondered whether kids who sign in November have a tendency to "cruise" through their senior year instead of continuing to push themselves to get better. Once the recruiting pressure is off, do they let off the gas pedal? I hope he continues to push himself during his senior year.

[LS71]

^ http://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball ... ss_ri.html