Matt Coleman had a recruiting message for 5-star C Will Baker at the Texas Tip-Off

The message from Texas Longhorns sophomore point guard Matt Coleman to five-star Westlake center Will Baker on Wednesday evening at Gregory Gym during the Texas Tip-Off was unequivocal:

“I just hope the message got through that he knows we want Will Baker and I’d love to play with a guy like Will Baker,” Coleman said after the event.

With the Horns holding two commitments in the 2019 recruiting class and limited spots available, Baker is arguably the top target on the recruiting board for head coach Shaka Smart and his staff. At 7’0, 235 pounds, Baker is a consensus five-star prospect, the nation’s No. 20 player, and the No. 7 center in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Georgetown, Stanford, and UCLA are the finalists for Baker, along with Texas, but the recruitment will likely come down to the Horns and Bruins, especially since Baker is interested in a career as a filmmaker once his basketball days are done.

Texas is currently the favorite with 89 percent of the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions for Baker and Coleman’s pitch on Wednesday likely resonated.

At the least, there’s no question how much Coleman and the Longhorns want Baker to stay home to play his college basketball.