Joey Baker relishes last college destination at Michigan

Joey Baker could not have been the splashy switch portal acquisition Terrence Shannon Jr. would have been, however he nonetheless brings a significant component to Michigan Wolverines basketball that was sorely missed final yr: three-point taking pictures.

Baker shot 40.5% from three final season in a reserve function beneath Coach Ok at Duke. The Blue Satan captain graduated from Duke and introduced his switch to Michigan this summer time.

A 6-foot-6 ahead out of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Baker will search for an elevated alternative at Michigan and one final likelihood at an NCAA Event run. On Tuesday, he spoke with Brian Boesch on the “Defend the Block,” podcast put out by Michigan athletics, to present his ideas on his profession and expectations transferring ahead.

Boesch began out by asking the quite simple query: “Why Michigan?”

“I felt snug right here,” stated Baker. “It simply felt like a spot the place I may see myself thriving on the court docket and off the court docket. In the end, that’s what led to the choice — the extent of consolation that I felt right here, how they might assist me and the way I may assist the workforce.”

As we’ve heard many instances earlier than, the household environment at Michigan was very interesting. As well as, Baker was interested in the teachers of Michigan, coming from one other extremely regarded establishment in Duke.

Boesch then hit on Baker’s experiences at Duke, significantly what it was like having a smaller function regardless of being a captain.

“It makes you notice that you just’re part of a workforce,” stated Baker. “While you’re on a workforce you do no matter you may to make an impression. If that’s simply being within the ears of your teammates and inspiring them or telling them issues that you just see on the court docket. I realized a ton by way of that course of and navigating that over the course of my profession at Duke. I’m grateful for it. I believe it made me develop as an individual and as a participant as properly.”

In addition they dug into Baker’s taking part in model and what Michigan followers can anticipate from him.

“(I’m) somebody that’s keen to do something that it takes to win — hustle performs, taking pictures the ball, scoring from completely different ranges, attacking the basket, mid-range. I believe my largest energy could be my three-point taking pictures, one thing that I did at Duke a ton,” Baker stated. “There’s much more to my sport that I didn’t present at Duke. I’m hoping to have the ability to present it this yr.”

Baker will compete with Jace and Jett Howard, Isaiah Barnes, Terrance Williams, Will Tschetter, Gregg Glenn and Youssef Khayat in a large open race for minutes on the wing. By far essentially the most skilled of the group and among the best shooters, Baker will look to carve out a much bigger function than he had at Duke.