On an and-one layup by Yanic Konan Niederhauser, Ace Baldwin Jr. tallied his 700th career assist against Coppin State on Saturday.
The fifth-year guard became the 136th player to reach such a feat according to Stathead’s database (Most player stats are available back to 1986-87. PTS, FG, FT, PF mostly complete to 1947-48).
In the first half against the Eagles, Baldwin had nine assists and was a plus-27.
He has been one of the best point guards in the country so far this year. He is averaging 14.4 points, 8.0 assists (fifth in the nation) and 2.3 steals (third in the Big Ten). Coming into the season, Baldwin was named to the Naismith Player of the Year Watchlist and the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Watchlist.
Ace Baldwin Jr. Lands on Watchlist for Naismith Player of the Year
Baldwin leads Penn State in averaged points, assists and steals. He is also one of the team’s best volume 3-point shooters, connecting on nearly 37 percent of his attempts.
He was pivotal in Penn State’s upset over No. 8 Purdue on Dec. 5. He was the primary matchup on Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Braden Smith, helping hold the Boilermaker guard to six points, five assists and three turnovers.
Penn State is 8-2 (1-1) on the year. They rank 34th in the KenPom rankings and are 26th in the NCAA’s Net Rankings.
