DUNK CITY, Fla. – Former UNLV forward and 4-star recruit Troy Baxter Jr has joined the FGCU men's basketball program, head coach Joe Dooley announced this week.
 
The uber-athletic 6-8, 200-pound Baxter Jr will sit out the 2017-18 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, but will then have three years of eligibility with the Eagles beginning as a redshirt sophomore in 2018-19.
 
"We're excited about Troy's addition. He'll have a good opportunity to get acclimated for a year and then we expect him to make an immediate impact," Dooley stated. "He's a terrific athlete, and I've been impressed with his energy and attitude in the short time that he's been with us."
 
A native of Tallahassee, Baxter Jr averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds last year as a true freshman at UNLV. He reached double-figure points four times, including a career-high 15 on the road in the Rebels' Mountain West Conference opener against Colorado State.
 
Baxter Jr – whose athleticism is similar to that of fellow UNLV transfer and recently-graduated Demetris Morant – should fit Dunk City well as he won the American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk Contest in April of 2016.
 
"I'm really happy for this new, fresh start and to be part of a winning culture," said Baxter Jr. "The coaching staff will push me to the limit to help in my development, which is very important to me. I'm looking forward to contributing to what will hopefully be many more conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances."
 
A 2016 graduate of prestigious Oldsmar Christian High School outside Tampa, Baxter Jr was rated a 4-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals, and was ranked 90th in the ESPN Top 100 as a senior. That year he averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game under the guidance of coach Jordan Fair, and Oldsmar was ranked in the nation's top 25.
 
Baxter Jr played his AAU ball for Team Breakdown, as did current Eagles' redshirt junior guard Zach Johnson (Miami, Fla./Norland HS) and redshirt senior forward Antravious Simmons (Miami, Fla./VCU/South Miami HS), although the trio did not play at the same time together under coach Kenny Gillion. Gillion also coached incoming redshirt junior guard Dinero Mercurius (Orlando, Fla./Daytona State/UTRGV/USF) at Faith Baptist Christian School in Brandon near Tampa.
 
Baxter Jr is joining an FGCU team coming off a record-setting 26-8 season in 2016-17, claiming a second-straight ASUN Tournament title and advancing to play its sixth NCAA Tournament game in the last five years. He joins an extremely talented returning group and newcomers full of highly-ranked high school prospects and top-level transfers.
 
The Eagles have 6-10 Michigan transfer and Southwest Florida product Ricky Doyle (Cape Coral, Fla./Bishop Verot HS) joining the lineup this coming season as a redshirt junior, in addition to 6-10 Miami and VCU transfer redshirt junior Michael Gilmore (Jacksonville, Fla./Rickards HS). Additionally, freshman Brian Thomas (Marietta, Ga./Kell HS), a 6-9 forward, 6-10 redshirt sophomore Brady Ernst (Clinton, Iowa/Indian Hills CC/Iowa State/Clinton HS) and elusive 5-3 freshman guard Darnell Rogers (Fort Mill, S.C./Shiloh HS/Believe Prep/Indian Land HS) have also signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Green and Blue.
 
Fans who have not already renewed their season tickets may do so by visiting or calling the FGCU Ticket Office at 239-590-7145 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a detailed seating map and additional ticket and pricing information, visit FGCUAthletics.com/MBBTickets.
 
Those wishing to secure season tickets for the first time may get on the 2017-18 season ticket priority list now by contacting a Ticket Office representative and making a non-refundable $100 deposit per seat. The priority list will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Pricing information on season ticket levels can be found below, and seats are still available with packages ranging from $159 for general admission to $339 for prime lower-level seating. New season tickets officially go on sale beginning July 17, but orders will be filled based on giving levels and first-come, first-served deposits.
 
For select reserved seating, membership to the Eagles Club will likely be required depending on priority level. Those who are not Eagles Club members may contact Matt Ring at 239-590-7107 or mring@fgcu.edu for more information. The Eagles Club is the official booster organization for FGCU Athletics which provides financial support for each of the Eagles' 15 programs.
 
Season Ticket Package: Seating Chart
Priority 1: $339
Priority 2: $262
Priority 3: $212
Priority 4 (General Admission): $159
 
SOCIAL CENTRAL
For up-to-the-minute information and behind-the-scenes access to the men's basketball program, follow @FGCU_MBB on Twitter and Instagram, Like us on Facebook at /FGCUMBB and watch us on Snapchat at FGCU_MBB.
 
COACH DOOLEY 
FGCU is led by head coach Joe Dooley, who completed his 4th season with the Eagles in 2016-17 and has coached eight all-conference selections in that time. He has led FGCU to 20+ win seasons and postseason appearances in all four years: 2013 NIT; 2014 CIT; 2015 NCAA; 2016 NCAA. Dooley was named the 2017 ASUN Coach of the Year and the 2017 NABC District 3 Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to a D-I program record 26 wins. In eight seasons overall as a head coach, Dooley has a record of 148-98 (.602), and in his four years with FGCU is 91-46 (.664). Prior to arriving in SWFL, Dooley spent 10 seasons as an assistant at Kansas under head coach Bill Self. During those 10 seasons, Kansas produced 300 wins, nine-straight Big 12 regular-season titles, six Big 12 Tournament championships, six NCAA Sweet 16s, five NCAA Elite Eight appearances and two Final Fours, including the 2008 National Championship.
 
SUPPORT THE CAUSE 
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.