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Billy Baron Signs Letter Of Intent With Virginia
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CHARLOTTESVILLE—Virginia men’s head basketball coach Tony Bennett has announced that Billy Baron, a 6-1 guard from E. Greenwich, R.I., has signed a national letter of intent with the Cavaliers.
Baron played at Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass., during the 2009-10 season. He averaged 27.5 points, 6.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals a game for Worcester Academy in 2009-10 and was a first-team All-Class A Prep League selection.
Baron graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, R.I., in 2009. In three seasons as a member of the Bishop Hendricken team he scored 1,306 points and averaged 16.5 points a game for his high school career. Bishop Hendricken won three Division I State Championships during Baron’s time on the team and compiled an overall record of 68-11 during that three-year period.
As a senior co-captain during the 2008-09 season, Baron averaged 24.1 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals a game. He made 85.0 percent (153-180) of his free throw attempts that season.
Baron averaged 16.8 points a game as a junior and 9.0 points a game as a sophomore at Bishop Hendricken.
Baron was a first-team All-State selection twice and was a McDonald’s All-American nominee. He was the Most Valuable Player of the State Tournament as a junior and a senior, and earned All-State Tournament honors both years. He also earned first-team All-Division, All-League and All-City honors as a junior and a senior.
Baron is the son of University of Rhode Island men’s head basketball coach Jim Baron.
“We are pleased to have Billy Baron join the Virginia basketball family,” Bennett said. “I know Billy is excited about the opportunities the University of Virginia presents from both a basketball and an academic standpoint.
“Billy had an outstanding year at Worcester Academy and that will help prepare him for the rigors of college basketball. He also had an outstanding career at Bishop Hendricken High School. As the son of a coach, I know Billy understands what competing at a very high level is all about. He brings a level of completeness and toughness to the floor along with a great personality off the court that will benefit our program.”
Five players signed national letters of intent with Virginia during the early signing period in November. Signing with the Cavaliers in November were 6-4 guard K.T. Harrell of Montgomery, Ala.; 6-6 guard Joe Harris from Chelan, Wash.; 6-9 forward James Johnson of Wildomar, Calif.; 6-7 wing Akil Mitchell of Charlotte, N.C.; and 6-8 forward Will Regan of Williamsville, N.Y.
Scout.com currently ranks Virginia’s recruiting class 14th and Rivals.com ranks it 15th nationally.