A community college 'big' gets offered

(Illiya Baldwin photo courtesy of Pratt Community College)

Center Illiya Baldwin -- 6-foot-10, 260 pounds and attending Pratt Community College by way of Australia -- has recently been offered by Nevada (is this Luke Babbitt insurance or, more likely, an attempt to get more offense out of the middle), and also San Jose State.

Baldwin will be drawing more offers as St. Mary's (of course) is also checking out Baldwin since both Omar Samhan and Been Allen are seniors. Arizona State and others are also among the other colleges interested.

In 21 contests, the sophomore is averaging 14.5 points per game, shooting 59% from the floor, 60% from the foul line (95-156) and 7-20 on three-point attempts.

Baldwin is also grabbing 11.5 rebounds a contest (99 offensive and 143 defensive) along with being credited with 35 blocked shots to date.

According to Pratt Coach Trevor Rolfs, Baldwin "is a big, solid back-to-the-basket low post with a good touch." The Aussie also has the ability to play facing the basket. Rolfs added that his prime player "is very intelligent on the court and off."

He continued, "I don't expect him [Baldwin] to take any trips soon because he realizes what is most important right now is our season."

Pratt, a member of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference, is currently 17-7 overall, 6-4 in Western Division play.

Baldwin spent 2007-2008 at Howard (Texas) Community College as a redshirt due to a broken foot.