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Arizona Basketball hosting four-star Kentucky transfer Jemarl Baker

By David Rosen

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Jemarl Baker Jr. #13 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots against Matthew Pegram #50 of the Wofford Terriers during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Jemarl Baker Jr. #13 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots against Matthew Pegram #50 of the Wofford Terriers during the first half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Arizona basketball continues to look to add to it’s roster by hosting four-star Kentucky Wildcat transfer Jemarl Baker.

Never stops. Coach Sean Miller and his staff continue to put in the work to build out the Arizona basketball roster for the 2019-20 season. Earlier this past week they hosted highly sought after five-star Nevada transfer Jordan Brown and now they are currently hosting four-star redshirt freshman and Kentucky Wildcat transfer Jemarl Baker. The addition of both these transfers would set the foundation to great things to come in the next couple of seasons.

In today’s game of college basketball, acquiring transfers is becoming more of common thing. This is because a lot of highly talented incoming freshman typically stay one year, maybe two. As a result, coaches look for transfers who are likely to stay at least a couple seasons. These transfers also bring college basketball experience and leadership to the team, which is what’s needed for a team to have a successful regular and postseason.

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The Wildcats recently landed UC Irvine transfer guard Max Hazzard, brother of former Wildcat walk-on Jacob Hazzard. Hazzard’s style of play and what he brings will fit in quite well into Miller’s system. Because of NCAA transfer rules, if Baker commits to Arizona he would have to redshirt for a year. That isn’t a bad thing. He will still be able to practice with the team and get a feel for where he would fit in the following season.

Baker, who was ranked 73rd nationally and No.15 ranked shooting guard according to 247 Sports for the Class of 2017, adds immediate depth to that position. The 2019-20 roster is fully stacked with talent and shooters, but it never hurts to have more!

He missed his first entire season at Kentucky due to a left knee injury. The following year he did play, but only 9 minutes per game in 28 games played and 2.3 points per game. In the post season though, Baker’s saw more action. He averaged 13.6 minutes per game and 4.2 points per game. His stats may not stand out, but that’s because he was on highly talented Wildcat team that made it all the way to the Elite 8 before losing to the Auburn Tigers.

In his senior year at high school, Baker averaged 17.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 1.8 steals per game. He is listed at 6 foot 4 and 192lbs. Baker has that natural ability to find a way to take it to the rim, with both hands and has a smooth looking jump shot, which is a lost art these days. Baker can also catch and shoot the ball from long range with ease.

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At Zona Zealots, we are excited about the possibility of landing another highly sought out transfer in Jermal Baker. Never doubt Coach Miller and his recruiting abilities. Bear Down, Arizona!

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