BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A deep backcourt gets even deeper for the CSUB men's basketball team with this week's signing of Crenshaw High standout Reynaul Baker.
“Our patience paid off,” says CSUB Head coach Keith Brown. “We considered a number of players, but Reynaul is a great fit and the right piece to add to our program. Head Coach Ed Waters is instrumental in continuing the respect and tradition of Crenshaw basketball while mentoring and enhancing the lives of the entire community. His development and endorsement of Reynaul was a major component in our decision. In addition, Coach (John) Mosley did a great job in helping to make this happen.”
“The Crenshaw program is extremely excited about Reynaul's scholarship to attend Cal State Bakersfield,” says CHS Head Coach Ed Waters. “Reynaul's transition into Division I competition has been a journey of faith: a belief in our program to prepare him for the next level, belief in himself to perform in the classroom and on the court, and the faith shown by Coach Brown and Coach Mosley to be patient with an outstanding player and person.”
Mosley's close ties to the City Section basketball scene played a key role in the process. He was a standout player at Crenshaw rival Washington Prep in the 1990's who has kept close ties to the area.
A highly decorated player and the 2009 and 2010 Coliseum League MVP at Crenshaw, he earned first team CIF Division I All–State honors twice and was one of the top 30 players in the state as selected by Cal–Hi Sports both seasons. He averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game while helping the Cougars to 21–5 record and a CIF City Section Division I semifinal appearance and a berth in the CIF State Tournament.
“Reynaul will have every opportunity to make an immediate impact,” says Brown. “He is long and physical with great explosion in the open court. He has the make up of a true point guard. He looks to distribute the ball first but is a great finisher. I watched literally thousands of players in July and he clearly was the point guard we wanted. With our returning players (Donavan Bragg, Stephon Carter and Alex Johnson) and the addition of Reynaul, Cody Kale and Ivan Matip we have six guys capable of playing the point at a high level. And all of them are capable of playing multiple positions, which will give us a depth and versatility we have not had in many years.”
Baker is the sixth member of CSUB's 2011 recruiting class. Earlier this signing period, CSUB signed big men Kregg Jones from the Army–Navy Academy in San Diego and De'Aundray Robinson from National College Prep High School in Northridge, guard Cody Kale from Rocklin High School, combo guard Ivan Matip from Besant Hill School in Ojai and Odessa College power forward Rashad Savage.
