NCAA Basketball: 8 teams that should target Duke transfer Joey Baker

Around five years ago, Joey Baker was a consensus top-50 prospect in the 2017 NCAA Basketball recruiting class. The 6’6 forward was one of the top available recruits that Summer and had plenty of options. One of them included the Duke Blue Devils, who ultimately won out for Baker.

But the native of Fayetteville, North Carolina made the decision to reclassify to the 2018 class and play immediately. It’s a move that works for some but not others depending on whether or not you’re ready to contribute in NCAA Basketball.

For Baker, he was set to redshirt as a freshman, until injuries forced Coach K’s hands, and played the wing for a few games in 2018-19. The player did carve out a role in the next three years off the bench, averaging around 12 mpg and 4.0 ppg. He had a career-high 22 points against Wofford as a sophomore, with five made three-pointers.

That’s where Baker makes opponents pay, from deep. He’s a career 38% shooter from three-point range, coming off a season of making 41%. And while it’s clear that Baker isn’t good enough to compete with the five-stars regularly on the roster but at the right spot, can become a legit rotational piece.

Although he’s a late entrant to the portal, Baker likely will get a waiver as a graduate transfer in his 5th year. As a 6’6 sharpshooting wing, there are plenty of teams that will have interest as they fill out their respective rosters.

Based on which teams have room, who are the programs to watch for Joey Baker and his new recruitment? Here are eight to potentially watch.