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Texas lands five-star 2019 center Will Baker

Shaka Smart

Texas coach Shaka Smart calls to his players during the first half on an NCAA college basketball game against Kent State, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

AP

Shaka Smart just added a five-star prospect to his 2019 recruiting class.

Will Baker, a 7-footer from Austin, committed to Texas and the hometown Longhorns, he announced on Thursday.

“This has been the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” Baker said in a commitment video he posted to social media. “With great consideration, I will be committing to the University of Texas.”

Baker picked Texas over UCLA, which he visited multiple occasions, as well as offers from the likes of Kansas, Louisville and North Carolina.

The top-25 recruit becomes the first five-star commitment for Smart in 2019, but Baker isn’t alone in the class as Kai Jones, a four-star center, and Donovan Williams, a top-125 guard, have already committed to the Longhorns.

Smart has consistently recruited major classes to Austin, but the Longhorns have managed to go just 50-40 in his three seasons there. The Longhorns opened this season 1-0 with a win over Eastern Illinois last night.