Kentucky Basketball: What to expect from the 2017 recruiting class
By Stuart Gill
Jemarl Baker
A native of Corona, California, Jemarl Baker signed with The University of California at Berkeley as a high school sophomore. He then requested his release from the Golden Bears following the departure of coach Cuonzo Martin, who accepted the Head Coaching position at the University of Missouri. Baker committed to Kentucky just two weeks later.
Baker is a well-rounded offensive talent that uses his sharp-shooting reputation to open up easy lanes to the basket. While he is an adept driver and finisher, he will have the greatest amount of impact on a team if he is able to focus solely on shooting the three.
Baker has drawn comparisons to Ray Allen for his ultra-smooth, quick shooting motion. He is never afraid to pull the trigger, whether it is off the pick-and-pop, catch-and-shoot, or if he is simply pulling up in transition.
Baker is going to have a hard time seeing the floor as a freshman. He is a terrific player for his age, but will fail to stand out amongst the plethora of NBA-level talent that is joining the Wildcats this year. He can, in theory, form a dangerous second-team backcourt with whoever fails to earn the starting role between Green, Diallo, and Gilgeous-Alexander, though with three other guards to account for besides those freshman, he may become lost on the end of the bench for the year.