After tackling a number of Wisconsin commits in our BadgersWire scouting report series, we now turn to one of the top in-state recruits in the history of the Badger state. Patrick Baldwin Jr. is the truth. The class of 2021 “small forward” (in reality, he does not have a true position) has an NBA frame and an NBA jumper to go along with it. The Sussex, Wis. (Hamilton) native recently released his top ten schools, and had Wisconsin included with the likes of ACC powerhouses Duke (where he has been closely linked), North Carolina, and Virginia. He also has family ties included on his list as his father Patrick Baldwin Sr. is the Head Coach at UW-Milwaukee.
Top ten 🏁 pic.twitter.com/Mt7G7mftWr
— Patrick Baldwin Jr. (@_pbaldwin23) May 10, 2020
Patrick Baldwin Jr. in one word: Ok, I have to cheat with this one. Using two words, the 6-foot-9 prospect can best be described as under control. There are nearly no moments on tape where the Hamilton star looks rushed, frazzled, or like he is not playing at his own pace. In fact, oftentimes he looks like he is playing at a completely slower pace than others around him, yet he dominates games without being in a hurry.
Breaking it down: Breaking down Baldwin Jr’s strengths begins with his jump shot. When you watch the five-star prospect shoot it almost looks like his shot was created in a lab. His mechanics are scary good. Like NBA sharpshooter Klay Thompson-level good. At 6-foot-9 with tremendous length, he can get his shot off against almost anybody at any time. Whether it’s a pull-up three in transition, a quick catch-and-shoot, or an off the dribble jumper, Baldwin Jr. can cash it because of consistent mechanics and a quick trigger.
His handle is fluid and consistent for his size. There is an element of smooth in his dribble moves, and he has quite a few in the bag. The Wisconsin native has a bounce to his step with the basketball in his hands and the explosive ability to go up and over nearly all defenders at the high school level.
Baldwin Jr. also excels with his face-up game. Instead of playing with his back to the basket, he is more comfortable facing up against his defender and making a quick move off the dribble.
As I previously said, there never seems to be any rush in the five-star prospect’s game. Couple that with his size, length, and mobility, to go along with a perfect jump shot from a mechanics perspective, and you have one of the best offensive recruits in the history of Wisconsin high school basketball.
In terms of his size, many will say that the class of 2021 prospect needs to add muscle in the weight room. At under 200 pounds and 6-foot-9, he will certainly add muscle at the next level, but just how much should he add to his frame? When I watch Baldwin Jr., one of the first NBA comparisons that pops into my mind is Kevin Durant. Durant is not only one of the greatest scorers in the history of the game, but also a player that is known as the ‘slim reaper’ and a star that never added to his frame in a significant way. The way Baldwin Jr. plays and the direction that the game is headed in makes me question just how much he should change his physique.
Overall: Whoever gets the Wisconsin product is obviously landing one of the best players in the country. It is hard to find a glaring weakness offensively, and the combination of a pure jump shot, mobility, and size is rare to see at any level. If things go as planned for a player that is currently a consensus top-five prospect in his class, Baldwin Jr. is going to be a high-NBA lottery pick.