Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1505736
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 3 47 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M seen it in action the past three years. "Ace just has a great feel with people," the coach said. "I just think he does a good job of knowing how to get along with people. "Ace doesn't pull any punches, either. He wants to win, and his competitive- ness, I think, really leaks to everybody else. And guys know that." A Floor General His new teammates have al- ready come to appreciate Bald- win's contributions on and off the court. Clary, for example, said he's been taking notes and working to incorporate the same ingredients into his game and leadership style. "I look at myself as a leader, so I've tried to do the same thing as him," Clary said. "He's just a very, very gritty, smart player. He doesn't turn the ball over, and I like that about his game." Junior forward Zach Hicks, a Temple transfer who saw Baldwin firsthand last season while with the Owls, agreed with Clary's assessment. "Ace, he's incredible. He's a floor general … a traditional point guard," Hicks said. "He gets everybody involved and tells people where to be. And then he gets to the paint, drives and kicks. For people like me, shooters and people that cut a lot, he's a guy you really want to play with." The season is still months away, and much work remains to be done as Penn State prepares to launch its new coach- ing era. But at a moment critical to en- acting Rhoades' plans for the program, Baldwin is eager to deliver on the confi- dence that's been invested in him. "As a leader, you've got to bring that type of energy," he said. "I feel like as a point guard, I've got to be more vocal." Set to play an outsized role in the formation of Penn State's basketball culture, Baldwin is determined to do exactly that. ■ Baldwin comes to Penn State after three seasons as the starting point guard at Virginia Commonwealth. He averaged 12.7 points and 5.8 assists per game in leading the Rams to the Atlantic 10 championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance last season. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL