Antonio Baker, that senior combo guard out of Savannah, Georgia, just got named the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year! That’s a huge nod, basically saying he is *the* top defender in the SWAC for the upcoming 2026-2027 season, and you know opponents gotta be rethinking their game plans already. He’s expected to be a total lockdown beast on the perimeter for the Florida A&M men’s basketball team, and the numbers from last season back it up.
Baker’s Defensive Numbers Don’t Lie: He’s a Problem
Look, this isn’t some random pick, either. Baker put in the work last season after transferring from Chipola College. He was averaging 1.2 steals per game for the Rattlers, which put him comfortably in the top 25 of SWAC stats. But that’s just the average! The dude had 10 games where he snagged two or more steals. Think about that consistency. Even crazier, he went on a tear with 12 steals over just three games. Twelve! In three games! That kind of disruption changes everything for an opposing offense, forcing turnovers and creating fast-break opportunities. It’s exactly why he’s earned this preseason honor, no doubt. The league sees what he brings to the court defensively.
More Than Just a Stopper: Baker Can Fill It Up, Too
And here’s the kicker: Baker isn’t just a defensive specialist, he’s a bucket-getter too. Last season, he averaged 9.9 points per game. He even closed out the year on an eight-game heater, showing he can take over when needed. During that stretch, he was putting up 13.3 points per game, grabbing 5.3 rebounds, dishing out 2.62 assists, and still getting a steal per game, all while averaging 30 minutes. That’s a complete player right there. He’s so good that he and fellow guard Jaquan Sanders both made the All-SWAC Preseason Team, with Baker landing on the second team and Sanders on the first. Those two are gonna be a handful for anyone in the conference.
So, what’s next for Baker and the Rattlers? He’s set to represent FAMU basketball alongside guard Ralph Martino Jr. and head coach Charlie Ward at the SWAC Tipoff Men’s Basketball Media Day in Birmingham. You know they’ll be talking about the expectations for the season and what Baker’s leadership, especially on defense, means for their chances. The hype is real for Antonio Baker, and it’s going to be wild to see him back on the court!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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