It can be funny how scouts can come across a player sometimes.  One of the more recent players that I came across and is relatively unknown on the court was 2023 6'7 Matai Baptiste.  Just roaming around and checking out some of the action, I happened to stumble across Vaughan Panthers Basketball 16u, a team full of talent from Canada.

While walking by, it was then when I saw Baptiste on the court and he quickly captured my eyes.  There were a lot of early factors that grabbed my attention immediately; the 6'7 frame, his comfort level in operating on multiple levels, his smooth feel on the court, and his impact in other areas all quickly capture your attention.

So, I had to sit down and watch a little more to see if these factors that I quickly first noticed, would be ones that could translate to the next level.  Now after watching him on multiple occasions, it is clear that he is a player that should get more eyes on his game and his recruitment could start to elevate.

When describing his game, we are talking about a smooth 6'7 wing-type forward that operates at all levels of the court.' He showed that he can put the ball on the deck and create for himself, finish strong at the rim, or pull up from behind the arc with ease.' Baptiste plays at his pace but takes advantage of the matchup in front of him. With his frame, strength, IQ, and polished game, Baptiste has a nice inside-out feel to his game along with his impact on the boards and handles.

Baptiste checks off the boxes that college coaches are looking for.' And when you see him in action, you can also see that he has a game that translates well and there is still room to grow.' This is why it would be surprising that more programs don't get involved with his recruitment.

What Has Been Said:

2023 Matai Baptiste (Vaughan): A new name to the scene for Phenom Hoops but one that college coaches should really look at. The 6'7 wing prospect displays a great feel for the game, communicates on the court, has a really balanced attack at getting to the rim and using his body while also knocking down outside shots. This is a young man that college coaches need to look at, as he isn't one that has been talked about a lot. – Patrick O’Brien from Champion Showcase

Although most college coaches aren't necessarily extending offers to prospect in the Class of 2023, it would probably be beneficial for programs to get involved with Baptiste. He's already extremely polished, especially for his size and position, and capable of naturally causing mismatches with his overall skill level. Baptiste can effectively create for himself or others and score on all three levels, but also operates well without the ball. His IQ and inside-out game should appeal to coaches at the next level. – Jeff Bendel from Summer Havoc