Taylor Baur, a 2016 prospect from the Show Me State is the focus of this Feature Player Evaluation.

Taylor Baur of St. Louis, Mo., is one of the Show Me State’s top prospects in the rising junior class. Her versatility allows her to be a consistent factor on both ends of the hardwood.

Vitals

Name: Taylor Baur – Grad Year: 2016
Location: St. Louis, Mo. – School: MICDS
Current Position: SF/PF – Projected Position: SF/PF

Strengths

At 6 feet 1, Baur’s length at the forward position is an immediate draw for potential college coaches. Baur has shown against top-level high school competition, including regional power Incarnate Word, that she can hit the open short corner jump shot as well as finish at the rim with contact. In that way, she is a versatile option who projects as a player capable of playing either forward position at the collegiate level. On the defensive end, Baur’s length allows her to defend on the interior or close out to a shooter to contest a jump shot.

Area To Improve

Baur’s offseason points of emphasis will include adding strength and working on her ball handling in the halfcourt offense. Increased strength will allow Baur to be successful in collegiate leagues that thrive on physical contact regardless of the position that she plays. Adding to her ball skill will allow Baur to create even more offense inside 23 feet of the basket. With so many college programs playing four players around the perimeter, the ability to change directions quickly in the half court is at a high of a premium as any time in recent memory.

The Bottom Line

Academically Baur has established herself as a prep that a future college can count on to get the job done in the classroom. She holds an A-minus overall average at one of the state’s top college preparatory institutions. On the floor her balanced game produces strong statistical averages -- 18.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3 steals, 3.2 blocks, while shooting 51 percent from the floor. This 2013-14 school season production speaks volumes about what she can do going forward.

#ProspectsNationTV: Recruiting Analyst Brandon Clay and Video Coordinator Kris Watkins team up to break down Baur’s game