Even by MEAC standards, UMES is no basketball powerhouse. The Hawks have won just one conference hoops title since the MEAC was founded in 1970. While the past may not be sparkling for UMES, the future does look bright, thanks to the play of freshman Hakeem Baxter.
My favorite Freshman Men’s Basketball player in the US is Hakeem Baxter from UMES! http://t.co/yseUiQ6LFV
– Art Of Networking (@networkingman14) December 3, 2013
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Baxter has been huge for UMES, averaging 17.2 points per game in his first six college contests. The Philly native is also averaging 4.5 rebounds per game. UMES coach Frankie Allen said his star freshman is taking it all in stride.
“He’s happy he’s having some success, but like I told him earlier in the day, all of a sudden, now people will see how well you can handle success, because now in teams’ scouting reports, he’s going to be somebody that they target. I think he understands that, but sometimes when you’re a freshman, you don’t expect that success that early. But Hakeem has said to me, ‘That individual stuff doesn’t mean that much to me. I’m all about winning.’ That’s the type of kid that he is.”