Utah Basketball Adds BYU Transfer Gavin Baxter To Their Roster
Apr 29, 2022, 1:59 PM | Updated: 2:35 pm
BYU forward Gavin Baxter suffered an injury against New Orleans on November 26th, 2020. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
SALT LAKE CITY- The good times keep rolling for Craig Smith and the Runnin’ Utes, this time with the addition of BYU transfer Gavin Baxter. Baxter is the third commitment Smith has picked up for his program since the end of the basketball season and will be a preferred walk-on.
Excited and blessed to continue my career up north! #seeUthere pic.twitter.com/Nw2Y9pXuZH
— Gavin Baxter (@gbax51) April 29, 2022
What Gavin Baxter Brings
At 6’9″ and 228 pounds, Baxter brings more size to a Ute squad in the process of rebuilding. Baxter has one year of eligibility left due to the Covid extension and will be a welcomed source of maturity and experience for the Utes.
Baxter’s career hasn’t necessarily panned out due to injury. In four years Baxter has only played in 47 total games. Freshman year was the most successful for Baxter having played in 30 games, but from there the injuries piled on.
Despite the injury, history the talented former Timpview High star brings some useable production for the Utes. This past year Baxter was averaging 6.6 points per game, 2.6 rebounds and 12.1 minutes per game before an ACL injury sidelined him.
As a senior in high school, Baxter was rated the number 21 small forward by ESPN. He also averaged 15.7 points per game and 6.4 rebounds.
Fresh Start
Baxter will hope to put the injuries behind him and get back to his winning ways in his final year of eligibility with the Utes. He will be joined by his former assistant coach at BYU, Chris Burgess who also recently made the jump to Utah.
Cougs, can’t thank y’all enough for the love and support over the years. Seriously. Thankful to everyone who believed in me. All love.
— Gavin Baxter (@gbax51) April 20, 2022
Baxter has the opportunity to not only be instrumental on the court in Smith’s second year as Utah’s head coach, but also on the sideline. Utah has made an effort this off-season to bolster their front court and adding Baxter is a continuation of that effort.
The Utes landed the commitment of Wasatch Academy’s Keba Keita earlier this month and Baxter could play a key role in his development as a mentor.
