University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Men's Basketball Inks Bailon Black
11/11/2020 12:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UNC men's basketball signed Bailon Black to their 2021 recruiting class
GREELEY, Colo – Northern Colorado Men's Basketball added guard depth with the signing of Bailon Black on Wednesday. The 6-4 point guard comes to UNC from Phoenix, Arizona.
"We're thrilled to get the commitment of Bailon Black. He's the prototypical guard that really can be successful in our program. He has the size, he's skilled, and he can pass and shoot at an elite level," head coach Steve Smiley said. "Additionally, his overall IQ for the game is off the charts for his age and he's a proven winner, already winning a state title in the state of Arizona at Ironwood High School led by Head Coach Jordan Augustine. Coach Augustine and Bailon helped Ironwood High School capture the school's first state championship together.
"On the circuit, Bailon ran with Team Zona who is founded and directed by Sal Garcia. When we recruited Bailon, we felt like he'd been coached well at both the high school and club levels, and our staff feels that he really knows how to play the game in a way that translates to winning in college. He also has the ability to play both on and off the ball, and he's going to be able to play multiple spots in the backcourt. We're really excited that he chose to become a member of the Bear family."
As a junior, Black average 12.8 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals on his way to helping Ironwood High School to the State Championship. The Eagles finished 29-2 on their way to claim the school's first-ever state title. He scored 18 points including a key late three in the championship game.
His IQ and vision on the court have led to him accumulating over 225 assists in the past two seasons. He also knocked down 42.0 percent of his three-point attempts.
Black plans to major in marketing while at UNC.
What others are saying about Black
"Watching the growth of Bailon culminate in signing at the University of Northern Colorado has been nothing short of tremendous. I'm extremely grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to be involved in his growth over the past four years. I'm excited to continue to watch him grow as a man and basketball player during his time at Northern Colorado. Thank you to Coach Smiley and the Bears coaching staff for believing in Bailon." – Jordan Augustine, Ironwood High School Head Coach
"Bailon Black is one of the top shooting guards on the west coast. I'm extremely happy that he will be furthering his education and basketball career playing for one of the top upcoming head coaches in the country in Northern Colorado's Steve Smiley. The fit could not be more perfect! Coach Smiley got himself a good one. It's a great day to be a Bear!" – Sal Garcia, Team Zona Director and Founder
Get to Know Bailon
Hobbies/Interest: Video Games
Favorite Music/Artist: Rio Da Yung Og
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Movie: Straight Outta Compton
Favorite TV Show: Boondocks
Most Interesting Place Visited: Utah
Favorite Athlete: Reggie Miller
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.
"We're thrilled to get the commitment of Bailon Black. He's the prototypical guard that really can be successful in our program. He has the size, he's skilled, and he can pass and shoot at an elite level," head coach Steve Smiley said. "Additionally, his overall IQ for the game is off the charts for his age and he's a proven winner, already winning a state title in the state of Arizona at Ironwood High School led by Head Coach Jordan Augustine. Coach Augustine and Bailon helped Ironwood High School capture the school's first state championship together.
"On the circuit, Bailon ran with Team Zona who is founded and directed by Sal Garcia. When we recruited Bailon, we felt like he'd been coached well at both the high school and club levels, and our staff feels that he really knows how to play the game in a way that translates to winning in college. He also has the ability to play both on and off the ball, and he's going to be able to play multiple spots in the backcourt. We're really excited that he chose to become a member of the Bear family."
As a junior, Black average 12.8 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals on his way to helping Ironwood High School to the State Championship. The Eagles finished 29-2 on their way to claim the school's first-ever state title. He scored 18 points including a key late three in the championship game.
His IQ and vision on the court have led to him accumulating over 225 assists in the past two seasons. He also knocked down 42.0 percent of his three-point attempts.
Black plans to major in marketing while at UNC.
What others are saying about Black
"Watching the growth of Bailon culminate in signing at the University of Northern Colorado has been nothing short of tremendous. I'm extremely grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to be involved in his growth over the past four years. I'm excited to continue to watch him grow as a man and basketball player during his time at Northern Colorado. Thank you to Coach Smiley and the Bears coaching staff for believing in Bailon." – Jordan Augustine, Ironwood High School Head Coach
"Bailon Black is one of the top shooting guards on the west coast. I'm extremely happy that he will be furthering his education and basketball career playing for one of the top upcoming head coaches in the country in Northern Colorado's Steve Smiley. The fit could not be more perfect! Coach Smiley got himself a good one. It's a great day to be a Bear!" – Sal Garcia, Team Zona Director and Founder
Get to Know Bailon
Hobbies/Interest: Video Games
Favorite Music/Artist: Rio Da Yung Og
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Movie: Straight Outta Compton
Favorite TV Show: Boondocks
Most Interesting Place Visited: Utah
Favorite Athlete: Reggie Miller
To stay up to date on all things UNC men's basketball, visit UNCBears.com, follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the new UNC Athletics app by clicking here.
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