Joey Baker
{{short description|American basketball player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{other people||Joseph Baker (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Joey Baker
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| position = Small forward / shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lbs = 205
| league = NBL1 West
| team = Joondalup Wolves
| number = 24
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|9|13}}
| birth_place = Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
| high_school = Trinity Christian School
(Fayetteville, North Carolina)
| college =
| draft_year = 2023
| career_start = 2023
| years1 = 2023–2024
| team1 = Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys
| team2 = Grand Rapids Gold
| years3 = 2025–present
| team3 = Joondalup Wolves
| highlights =
}}
Joseph William Baker (born September 13, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Joondalup Wolves of the NBL1 West. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils and the Michigan Wolverines. Baker was a four-star recruit in high school and the number 3 player in North Carolina according to ESPN.
High school career
=Recruiting=
Baker was a four-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2019 class, before reclassifying to the 2018 class.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/23388504/duke-blue-devils-commit-joey-baker-reclassifies-2018-class|website=ESPN.com|title=Five-star F Joey Baker to join Duke a year earlier than expected|access-date=May 2, 2018|date=May 2, 2018}} He was ranked No.41 overall recruit in the class of 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/221671/joey-baker|title=Joey Baker – Basketball Recruiting – Player Profiles|website=ESPN.com|access-date=January 2, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/joey-baker-3784?view=pv|title=Joey Baker, 2018 Small Forward|publisher=Rivals.com|access-date=January 2, 2024}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2018}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Joey Baker
| position = SF
| hometown = Fayetteville, NC
| highschool = Trinity Christian School (NC)
| feet = 6
| inches = 7
| weight = 190
| 40 =
| commitdate = October 29, 2017
| scout stars =
| rivals stars = 4
| 247 stars = 4
| espn stars = 4
| espn grade = 89
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit End
| 40 =
| year = 18
| rivals ref title = Duke 2018 Basketball Commitments
| scout ref title =
| espn ref title = 2018 Duke Blue Devils Recruiting Class
| rivals school = duke
| scout s =
| espn schoolid = 150
| 247 overall = 33
| rivals overall = 48
| espn overall = 41
| accessdate = October 29, 2017
| bball = yes
}}
College career
=Duke (2018–2022)=
==Freshman season (2018–19)==
On October 29, 2017, Baker committed to playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils over offers from Kansas, Tennessee and UCLA.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/21219971/joey-baker-commits-duke-blue-devils?device=featurephone|website=ESPN.com|title=Joey Baker commits to Blue Devils; No. 13 in ESPN 60 for 2019 class|access-date=October 29, 2017|date=October 29, 2017}} Baker would join a recruiting class that featured future NBA players RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Zion Williamson,{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article211252664.html|title=Five-star power forward Joey Baker signs with Duke as Class of 2018|last=Moody|first=Aaron|date=May 26, 2018|website=The Charlotte Observer|access-date=November 29, 2022}} as well as Tre Jones for the 2018–19 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team. During his freshman year, Baker was set to redshirt for the entire season, until coach Mike Krzyzewski put him into the game against Syracuse to fill in for the injured Williamson on February 23, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://thespun.com/acc/duke-blue-devils/joey-baker-duke-at-syracuse-redshirt-coach-k|website=thespun.com|title=Coach K Unexpectedly Burns Joey Baker's Redshirt At Syracuse|access-date=February 23, 2019|date=February 23, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2822134-duke-freshman-joey-baker-loses-redshirt-season-after-playing-vs-syracuse|website=bleacherreport.com|title=Duke Freshman Joey Baker Loses Redshirt Season After Playing vs. Syracuse|access-date=February 23, 2019|date=February 23, 2019}}
==Sophomore season (2019–20)==
On December 19, 2019, Baker put up a career high in points scored with 22 against the Wofford Terriers.{{cite web|url=https://goduke.com/news/2019/12/19/mens-basketball-bakers-career-night-leads-no-4-duke-past-wofford-86-57.aspx|title=Baker's Career Night Leads No. 4 Duke Past Wofford, 86-57|website=goduke.com|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=December 19, 2019}}
==Junior season (2020–21)==
As a junior, Baker appeared in 23 games only averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2021/03/duke-mens-basketball-joey-baker-player-review|title=Duke men's basketball 2020-21 player review: Joey Baker|last=Naseri|first=Romana|date=March 27, 2021|website=Duke Chronicle|access-date=January 2, 2024}}
==Senior season (2021–22)==
On October 11, 2021, Baker was named team captain alongside Wendell Moore Jr. for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web|url=https://goduke.com/news/2021/10/11/mens-basketball-baker-moore-named-duke-captains.aspx#|title=Baker, Moore Named Duke Captains|date=October 11, 2021|publisher=Duke Blue Devils|access-date=January 2, 2024}} As a senior, Baker averaged 4.5 points and 1.2 rebound per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2022/04/duke-mens-basketball-player-reviews-joey-baker|title=Duke men's basketball 2021-22 player review: Joey Baker|last=Hurewitz|first=Micah|date=April 7, 2022|website=Duke Chronicle|access-date=January 2, 2024}} On May 8, 2022, Baker completed his undergraduate degree in Political Science and graduated from Duke University.{{cite web|url=https://balldurham.com/2022/07/06/duke-basketball-joey-baker-finished/|website=balldurham.com|title=Duke basketball: Joey Baker officially finished with Blue Devil career|date=July 2, 2022|access-date=July 2, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/duke/Article/joey-baker-duke-basketball-injury-graduation-187353517/|title=Joey Baker graduates from Duke... on crutches|date=May 8, 2022|access-date=May 8, 2022}}
=Michigan (2022–2023)=
On June 18, 2022, Baker transferred to the University of Michigan as a graduate transfer for his final year of college basketball eligibility.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Duke-transfer-Joey-Baker-discusses-transfer-to-Michigan-basketball-fit-with-the-Wolverines-and-more-190809284/|website=247sports.com|title=Duke transfer Joey Baker discusses transfer to Michigan, fit with the Wolverines and more|access-date=July 31, 2022|date=July 31, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/2022/06/18/duke-joey-baker-transferring-michigan-college-basketball|title=Duke's Joey Baker Transferring to Michigan|website=SI.com|date=June 18, 2022|access-date=June 18, 2022}} During the offseason Baker had offseason hip surgery.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Joey-Baker-Hunter-Dickinson-overpower-Toledo-as-Michigan-advances-in-NIT-206541798/|title=Joey Baker, Hunter Dickinson overpower Toledo as Michigan advances in NIT|accessdate=March 15, 2023|date=March 14, 2023|publisher=247Sports|author=Zuniga, Alejandro}} Baker didn't celebrate senior night with the 2021–22 Duke Blue Devils, because he anticipated playing his fifth year there, but he did celebrate it with the 2022–23 Michigan Wolverines on February 26 against Wisconsin.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2023/02/on-senior-day-young-michigan-team-honors-wise-owl-joey-baker.html|title=On Senior Day, young Michigan team honors 'wise owl' Joey Baker|accessdate=March 15, 2023|date=February 27, 2023|publisher=Mlive.com|author=Kahn, Andrew}} In the opening round of the 2023 National Invitation Tournament, against Toledo on March 14, 2023, Baker posted season-highs in points (21), field goals made (eight), and three-pointers made (five) on 8–11 shooting.{{cite web|url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/3/14/mens-basketball-sharp-shooting-propels-michigan-to-win-over-toledo-in-nit-first-round.aspx|title=Sharp Shooting Propels Michigan to Win over Toledo in NIT First Round|accessdate=March 15, 2023|date=March 14, 2023|website=MGoBlue.com|author=Wyrot, Tom}} Following the game, he announced that he was pursuing a retroactive redshirt from his freshman season in 2018–19.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Michigan-basketballs-Joey-Baker-pursuing-sixth-season-of-eligibility-Well-see-what-happens-206548199/|title=Michigan's Joey Baker pursuing sixth season of eligibility: 'We'll see what happens'|accessdate=March 15, 2023|date=March 14, 2023|publisher=247Sports|author=Shaw, Zach}} Baker later decided to hire an agent and pursue professional opportunities.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/Article/Michigan-basketball-Duke-transfer-Joey-Baker-to-sign-with-agent-pursue-pro-career-for-2023-24-season-208122154/|title=Michigan basketball: Duke transfer Joey Baker to sign with agent, pursue pro career for 2023-24 season|accessdate=April 11, 2023|date=April 10, 2023|publisher=247Sports|author=Backus, Will}}{{cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2023/04/10/michigan-basketball-joey-baker-going-pro/70098969007/|title=Michigan basketball's Joey Baker reportedly to pursue pro career|accessdate=April 11, 2023|date=April 10, 2023|work=Detroit Free Press|author=Garcia, Tony}}
Professional career
=Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys (2023–2024)=
After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft, Baker signed his first professional contract with Pieno žvaigždės Pasvalys of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) on September 14, 2023.{{cite web|title="Pieno žvaigždes" papildė du naujokai|url=https://www.bcpienozvaigzdes.lt/news-194666-pieno-zvaigzdes-papilde-du-naujokai.html|website=BCPienoZvaigzdes.lt|date=September 14, 2023|access-date=September 19, 2023|language=lt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928043957/https://www.bcpienozvaigzdes.lt/news-194666-pieno-zvaigzdes-papilde-du-naujokai.html|archive-date=September 28, 2023}} He left the team in February 2024 after appearing in 14 games, where he averaged 5.4 points per game.{{cite news |last1=Kahn |first1=Andrew |title=Ex-Wolverine joins Michigan pro basketball team |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2024/03/ex-wolverine-joins-michigan-pro-basketball-team.html |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=mlive |date=5 March 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Joey Baker, Basketball Player, News, Stats - USbasket |url=https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Joey-Baker/474138 |website=Eurobasket LLC |access-date=20 March 2025 |url-access=subscription}}
=Grand Rapids Gold (2024–2025)=
In March 2024, Baker joined the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League for the rest of the 2023–24 season.{{cite news |last1=Giles |first1=Matt |title=Former Duke Basketball Wing Now Heading to G League |url=https://www.si.com/college/duke/basketball/former-duke-basketball-wing-heading-g-league-3-24 |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=Duke Blue Devils On SI |date=5 March 2024}} In nine games, he averaged 4.6 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.
In October 2024, Baker re-joined the Gold for the 2024–25 NBA G League season.{{cite news |title=Gold Finalize 2024-25 Training Camp Roster |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/gold-finalize-2024-25-training-camp-roster/n-6160538 |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=OurSports Central |date=28 October 2024 |language=en}} In 19 games, he averaged 3.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
=Joondalup Wolves (2025–present)=
In March 2025, Baker signed with the Joondalup Wolves of the NBL1 West in Australia for the 2025 season.{{cite news |title=DUKE TO THE PACK – JOEY BAKER SIGNS WITH THE WOLVES! |url=https://wolfpackbasketball.com.au/news/duke-to-the-pack-joey-baker-signs-with-the-wolves/ |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=wolfpackbasketball.com.au |date=20 March 2025 |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"|Duke
| 4 || 0 || 4.5 || .250 || .500 || .000 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.3 || 0.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"|Duke
| 28 || 3 || 12.1 || .410 || .394 || .917 || 0.9 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"|Duke
| 23 || 1 || 11.5 || .310 || .314 || .750 || 1.2 || 0.4 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 2.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2021–22
| style="text-align:left;"|Duke
| 34 || 0 || 11.9 || .432 || .405 || .778 || 1.2 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2022–23
| style="text-align:left;"|Michigan
| 34 || 5 || 16.4 || .393 || .391 || .686 || 2.2 || 0.4 || 0.4|| 0.2 || 5.7
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 123 || 9 || 12.9 || .393 || .383 || .756 || 1.4 || 0.5 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 4.5
{{s-end}}
Personal life
His father, Michael Baker, served in the United States Army. His mother, Jennifer Baker, is a Special Education teacher.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1011496/2019/06/05/he-knows-what-he-wants-dukes-joey-baker-eager-to-show-hes-more-than-truncated-freshman-season/|website=theathletic.com|title=‘He knows what he wants’: Duke’s Joey Baker eager to show he’s more than truncated freshman season|access-date=June 5, 2019|date=June 5, 2019}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://goduke.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/joey-baker/17223 Duke Blue Devils bio]
- [https://mgoblue.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/joey-baker/23512 Michigan Wolverines bio]
- [https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4395624/joey-baker ESPN profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Joey}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Lithuania
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Fayetteville, North Carolina
Category:BC Pieno žvaigždės players
Category:Duke Blue Devils men's basketball players
Category:Grand Rapids Gold players