FGCU men add UNLV sophomore forward Troy Baxter with last scholarship

Dana Caldwell | Naples

Florida Gulf Coast University fifth-year coach Joe Dooley completed this year's recruiting class with the commitment of UNLV sophomore forward Troy Baxter late Tuesday afternoon.

A 6-foot-8, 195-pounder, Baxter will sit this season per NCAA transfer rules and have three seasons of eligibility with the Atlantic Sun regular-season and tournament champion Eagles.

Baxter averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 32 UNLV games last season.

He did not respond to a text and call from the Daily News on Wednesday. Dooley cannot comment on Baxter until he is officially signed.

Baxter is following in the footsteps of recent graduate Demetris Morant, who started three FGCU seasons after transferring from UNLV. Baxter is described as athletic like Morant -- last season's ASUN Defensive Player of the Year -- but more skilled at this point in his collegiate career.

Baxter is one of three undergraduate UNLV players who left the program in March after the Runnin' Rebels limped to 11-21, including 4-14 in the Mountain West, in coach Marvin Menzies' first season.

A 4-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals, Baxter averaged 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds as a senior at Oldsmar Christian High near Tampa.

As is often the case at FGCU where in-state players many times return to roost, Baxter no doubt knows some of his new teammates. Baxter played for AAU power Team Breakdown, as did current Eagles Zach Johnson, a starting junior guard, and Antravious Simmons, a part-time starting senior center, although Baxter didn't play with them. Both are from Miami.

Baxter should fit right into Dunk City. He won the prestigious American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk Contest last year.

Baxter is the only incomer who will have to sit out the upcoming season. Sophomore forward Brady Ernst (Indian Hills Community College), junior shooting guard Dinero Mercurius (Daytona State), freshman point guard Darnell Rogers (Fort Mill, South Carolina) and freshman forward Brian Thomas (Kell, Georgia) are immediately eligible.

The Eagles report to Alico Arena on Tuesday and begin summer workouts next Friday. Their season tips at home on Nov. 11 against Illinois State.