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MVC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

By Joey Loose

Feb 1, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers players Ron Baker (31), Fred VanVleet (23) and Nick Wiggins (15) walk off the court during a time-out against the Evansville Aces during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers won 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers players Ron Baker (31), Fred VanVleet (23) and Nick Wiggins (15) walk off the court during a time-out against the Evansville Aces during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers won 81-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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MVC Basketball Wichita State Shockers guard Ron Baker Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports
MVC Basketball Wichita State Shockers guard Ron Baker Gary Rohman/MLS/USA TODAY Sports /

5. Ron Baker

A 6’4 combo guard from Scott City, Kansas, Baker made the short journey to Wichita State in 2012 and would play a monumental role in four great years for the Shockers. Baker wasn’t the main piece but did play a starring role in Wichita State’s run to the Final Four in 2013 after missing much of the regular season. Today’s focus is on his next three years, where he blossomed into a star in the MVC.

In 2014, Wichita State marched to the NCAA Tournament at 34-0, with Baker averaging 13.1 points in an important effort for the Shockers. He actually had 20 points in their season-ending loss to Kentucky and would have several nice shooting nights in his career. Baker hit 38% of his 3-pointers as both a sophomore and junior and got Wichita State to the Sweet Sixteen in the latter. He was putting up greater than 14 points a game in those final two seasons and his backcourt presence was synonymous with the program’s success.

He earned First Team All-MVC honors in all three of those final seasons. Baker deserved the honor, keeping Wichita State consistently at the top of the conference while racking up points, assists, steals, and blocks. Naturally, Baker did a little bit of everything for some historically awesome seasons in Wichita and his role in both those Final Four and unbeaten seasons won’t soon be forgotten.