Video: Gavin Baxter playing for Utah Prospects vs. Texas ProPROVO, Utah – It's obvious that
Gavin Baxter has traces of a track star buried deep inside him.
The
Timpview (Provo) senior makes no secret of his love for running. His ideal pace on the basketball court is to break the speed limit and play with his instincts. It isn't true and pure basketball for him if he isn't moving up and down and letting both offense and defense unfold in transition.
"For me, being able to freelance and play with the flow of the game helps me play better," Baxter said. "Knowing I don't have to run a (set) play makes me feel more free to do things I want."
Gavin Baxter, Timpview
Photo by Dave Argyle
Trusting his basketball instincts has resulted in good things for Baxter. The 6-foot-7 forward ranks as one of the most dominant players in the state on both ends of the court.
He has experienced a consistent evolution as a scoring threat. Baxter averaged 11.4 points as a sophomore, boosted it to 15.5 points as a junior and is averaging 19.0 points per game through the first four games of his senior season.
Defensively, his length gives other teams tons of problems. He can clog up the middle and make it tough to slash to the rim or shoot over him away from the basket.
"He's what sets our team apart," Timpview coach Kevin Santiago said. "We have a lot of really good basketball players, but Gavin is a legit D-I player. Obviously, he lifts the skill level and intensity level of all our players."
Baxter's natural gifts as a basketball player are enhanced by an equally strong work ethic. He's the type of player who remains in the gym long after the rest of the team has hit the showers and gone home, and works tirelessly on fine-tuning his shot.
His willingness to outwork everyone has turned him into the type of leader that's perfect for Timpview this season.
"From my perspective, as a coach, you want your best player to be your hardest worker," Santiago said. "Gavin sets the pace and works like that."
The offseason doesn't hold the same meaning for Baxter as the average basketball player either. He studies game film in-depth and collects a list of suggestions from his coaches that target specific areas for improvement in his game. Baxter has put in the work to turn those weaknesses into strengths.
It has paid off for him as a senior. Baxter notes that he has improved his free throw shooting this season and he has also become a better slasher and finisher at the rim.
"I've definitely gotten a better work ethic since last year," Baxter said. "That's helped me improve everywhere in my game."
Baxter will have a chance to keep progressing at the next level. He committed to play for BYU before the start of his senior season. His plan is to serve an LDS mission first and then join the Cougars in the 2018-19 season.
When he finally joins BYU, it might feel a little bit like a homecoming for Baxter. And not just because the Cougars are his hometown team. The program is a philosophical match with how he likes to play basketball. He can't get enough of BYU's up-tempo, high-scoring attack.
"I really like their playing style," Baxter said. "They go up and down the whole game. They run a lot. Coach (Dave) Rose lets players move around and do their thing."
When Baxter gets to do his thing, it usually means good things for Timpview and will likely mean good things for BYU down the road.
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter @johncoonsports.
