Texas Basketball Recruiting: Predicting who the next 2019 commit will be
The big men in this class for the Horns could really be standouts if this team lands both Baker and four-star Montverde, FL, native Omar Payne. Baker is one of the top-ranked big men in the nation, but this 6’9″ four-star prospect is exactly what the Horns should be looking for.
Payne is the type of big man that could dominate down low, especially against teams with smaller frontcourts. But his quick feet make him more elusive in the paint than most of his counterparts at either power forward or center. His leaping ability also makes up for any size difference he would have against taller bigs.
Landing both Baker and Payne are against the odds for the Horns but he does have Texas among his likely final destinations when it comes down to it. Some of the favorites to get his commitment include the LSU Tigers, Florida Gators, and Florida State Seminoles. The Horns, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Louisville Cardinals.
Payne is rated as the 38th best prospect in the nation, 10th best center, and eighth best out of the state of Florida. He would give the Texas frontcourt a whole new dynamic that would be valuable for the next two or three years. It might be a long shot for Texas basketball recruiting to land Payne, but it would be huge.