Prospect Overview
Skilled jump shooting forward who showed intriguing talent but missed a big chunk of his freshman year at Milwaukee with an ankle injury.
About Patrick Baldwin Jr.
Patrick Baldwin Jr. is a dangerous jump shooting forward with an intriguing skill level who had an up and down year battling an ankle injury as a freshman at Milwaukee. The son of former Northwestern and EuroLeague standout Pat Baldwin, he emerged as a prospect early in his prep career and finished his senior year at Hamilton High School (WI) regarded as one of the consensus top-10 prospects in the high school class of 2021. The McDonald’s All-American reinforced as much by averaging 7.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over 17.2 minutes per game alongside Chet Holmgren, aden Ivey, and Johnny Davis for the USA team that won the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup. Opting to play for his father at Milwaukee, Baldwin averaged 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over 11 appearances as he was only able to suit up for 4 games in 2022.
• Measured standing 6’10.25 in shoes with a 7’1.75 wingspan and a 231-pound frame at the 2022 NBA Draft Combine, Baldwin has very good size for a forward. He is more fluid than explosive which meshed well with his perimeter skill set at the prep level.
• Filling a large role for Milwaukee when he was on the floor, Baldwin was aggressive hunting jump shots off the ball but created his own shot extensively attacking one-on-one, handling in the pick and roll, and pushing in transition. Never really finding his footing in non-conference play, the 19-year old was more efficient some nights than others but showed the promising shooting mechanics, perimeter skill set, and feel for scoring opportunistically around the rim that earned him attention early in his career in spurts.
• Holding his own defensively in FIBA play, Baldwin was not especially aggressive as a freshman. His size is a factor contesting shots, but he has room to get stronger, be more physical, and find ways to become more of a factor as a helpside defender.
Advanced Stats
• Earning a reputation for his spot up shooting ability early in his prep career, Baldwin played on the ball heavily as a freshman even if he was not initiating the action for the Panthers. Scoring in bunches when he could settle in offensively but not always able to get into a rhythm against defenses gearing up to stop, Baldwin lacked a degree of efficiency–especially compared to the offensive prowess he had showed prior to his stint at Milwaukee.
• Scoring 0.75 points per jump shot in the half court [25th percentile], Baldwin has proven capable of more at every level he’s played. Shooting the ball with very sound mechanics and a high release point but unable to generate many clean looks at the collegiate level, he still showed the perimeter accuracy that had become known for on a few occasions.
• Able to put the ball on the floor to attack closeouts or dribble into his pull-up, Baldwin scored a more respectable 0.89 points per pull-up jump shot in the half court [70th percentile]. While he is not the most dynamic ball handler, his ability to get to step back threes or rise up over smaller defenders in midrange spots can pay dividends when he’s in rhythm.
• Showing the ability to make the simple play as a passer, use his size to his advantage finding shooters, crash the glass opportunistically, and finish above the rim on the move, Baldwin’s ability to blend in and contribute with his feel was not as apparent this season with how often he found himself creating against a set defense.
Defensive Analysis
• Looking solid on the defensive end for stretches in recent years, Baldwin has some instincts and feel but does not always rotate decisively, use his frame on the glass, or change directions well against quicker forwards.
• His ability to become stronger on the interior or contain dribble penetration more consistently on the perimeter could determine just what kind of role he can play at the next level. He has shown the ability to use his size and discipline to hold his own in other settings leaving some room for optimism projecting ahead.
— Profile by Synergy Sports
