"The Fierce First Step Fueling a Breakout Rise"

Joshua Baba

@jbaba2028

IG: @jbaba2028

6’4 , 185lbs, Class of 2028

Edmond Santa Fe HS, OK

Joshua is a shifty guard with a fierce first step. He attacks space with purpose and finishes through contact with confidence. His middy is smooth, dependable, and tightly woven into his rhythm, while his catch-and-shoot three has become a real weapon that defenses must respect. Every possession brings the feeling that Joshua is only scratching the surface of what he can become, and his early production proves he is rising fast. Coaches know they are getting a competitor who plays hard, rebounds with intent, and brings a scorer’s mentality whenever his team needs it.

Last season, Joshua averaged 4 points per game, but this year he has taken a major leap forward. Now averaging 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1.5 steals per game, he is showing the early signs of a breakout season. His season high of 16 points against Crossings Christian highlights the new levels he is tapping into. Joshua believes his biggest improvement is across the board because he is far more well-rounded and playing with stronger confidence. His offseason focus remains simple and steady: to become a great on-ball defender and expand his ability to shoot the three-point shot off the dribble. He is older, more experienced, and fully locked into seeing how far he can push his game this season.

Joshua is competing under a new coaching staff this year and embraces the opportunity to grow under their leadership. He looks forward to battles with Edmond Memorial and Putnam City North as the matchups he is most hungry to play. When facing adversity in the form of trash talk or heated moments, Joshua turns it into fuel, locking in defensively and letting his game speak louder. He keeps himself grounded with calm composure. His motto is, "You can live with being 0 for 10, but not 0 for 0". His competitive spirit, hunger to improve, and ability to respond to fire with focus help shape his steady rise.

Off the court, Joshua enjoys spending time with family and hanging out with friends, keeping his circle close as he continues pursuing his goals. He currently has several D1 interests and lists Houston, Vanderbilt, Texas, Texas Tech, and Baylor as his top choices. As his growth continues and his confidence expands, Joshua is positioning himself to become one of the promising prospects in Oklahoma’s 2028 class.

I assess that Joshua’s combination of size, quickness, three-level scoring ability, and rebounding effort gives college programs a versatile guard who can impact a game on both ends. His willingness to defend, control tempo, and score when needed gives college coaches a good look at what he can bring to the floor. With continued development in his off-the-dribble shooting and defensive presence, he can fit into multiple systems and thrive in different roles.

Expect Joshua to keep rising this season as his confidence elevates and his expanded skill set continues to take shape. His mentality, competitive fuel, and focus on evolving into a complete guard give him the long-term potential to draw more attention from college programs. As he matures and builds on these early flashes, Joshua is setting the stage for an exciting season. Stay tuned.