Jemarl Baker (SG) to Kentucky?

[WACB]

Just two crystal ball predictions, but they are both listing UK as of yesterday.

http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitut...sevelt-Senior-147444/CurrentExpertPredictions

 

[warddr]

Considering how much people have wanted a multi year shooter on here there sure is little talk and excitement about the possibility. The guy is a top 100 player that seems to be the pure shooter we need.

 

[Mike-D]

I want the Illinois kid personally.

 

[JFCats22]

I want the Illinois kid personally.

Baker is better...I have seen Smith play several times. Solid player but (at least right now) not a guy that would likely ever play next year or maybe the year after. Good athlete, good shooter but really needs to work on being a "basketball" player. Think a lesser version of what Mulder was this year.

 

[KA4Prez]

Would be a great signing IMO.

 

[Smashcat]

Considering how much people have wanted a multi year shooter on here there sure is little talk and excitement about the possibility. The guy is a top 100 player that seems to be the pure shooter we need.

He could be a 2 and done. Could come back as a soph and be in 2019 what Lamb was in our 2012 run.

Go back to June on the Under Armor AAU circuit he was the leading scorer @16.8 pig. Btw that's Trevon Duval at 15.9 ppg.
Jordan Divens‏@HSHoopsElite 4 Jun 2016
UAA PPG Leaders:
7 Jemari Baker 16.8
T8 @Iam_SidWilson 16.3
T8 @dboyd20_ 16.3
10 @5Tyshon 16.1
11 @DatGuy_Trey 15.9 https://hshoopselite.com/aau-circuit/under-armour-association-2/2016-ua-association/…

 

[spotter34]

I like that Baker has range on his deep ball. He has a sweet looking stroke. Nice arc on his shot. The question is what kind of defender can he be? He looks like a pretty good athlete though and if Cuonzo Martin took a commitment from him I'm guessing he at least has the potential to be a really good defender.

 

[Sawnee Cat]

In Cal I Trust

 

[KySpringCat]

I want the Illinois kid personally.

I want them both.

 

[sabian_uk24]

He's at100% to UK now on 24/7. I would love to add this guy and Cam Johnson.

 

[Smashcat]

I want them both.

Personally I'd like this kid plus the 6-8 wing from Pitt.

 

[Smashcat]

He's at100% to UK now on 24/7. I would love to add this guy and Cam Johnson.

Great minds think alike.

 

[jwhite123]

Bamba, Baker and Johnson to round it out? I would be fine with that.

 

[poppycat]

I like that Baker has range on his deep ball. He has a sweet looking stroke. Nice arc on his shot. The question is what kind of defender can he be? He looks like a pretty good athlete though and.............................................. if Cuonzo Martin took a commitment from him...................................... I'm guessing he at least has the potential to be a really good defender.

Kinda wonder why he didn't follow Martin? (if Martin liked him so well)

 

[KySpringCat]

Personally I'd like this kid plus the 6-8 wing from Pitt.

Forgot about him for a minute. He would have more immediate impact. Throw in Bamba and I'm good.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Personally I'd like this kid plus the 6-8 wing from Pitt.

^^^^This. One will be here multiple years while the other gives you much needed experience.

 

[warddr]

He could be a 2 and done. Could come back as a soph and be in 2019 what Lamb was in our 2012 run.

Go back to June on the Under Armor AAU circuit he was the leading scorer @16.8 pig. Btw that's Trevon Duval at 15.9 ppg.
Jordan Divens‏@HSHoopsElite 4 Jun 2016
UAA PPG Leaders:
7 Jemari Baker 16.8
T8 @Iam_SidWilson 16.3
T8 @dboyd20_ 16.3
10 @5Tyshon 16.1
11 @DatGuy_Trey 15.9 https://hshoopselite.com/aau-circuit/under-armour-association-2/2016-ua-association/…

I would be more than happy with him being productive enough to be two and done. Personally I really want UK to get this guy, thank you for sharing.

 

[TheDude73]

He's at100% to UK now on 24/7. I would love to add this guy and Cam Johnson.

Agree completely. Johnson, Baker and Bamba, and even with no one returning, I'd be wildly excited for next season.

 

[UKGrad93]

I don't follow recruiting much, but the idea of a 6-8 guy that can play guard, a 6-2 guy that can shoot, and a 6-11 guy that can block - I like it. Add that to a few other studs and role players coming back.

 

[CatColumbia]

I want the Illinois kid personally.

Smith is favoring Michigan State. Will be tough to get him. Baker is the better player.

 

[jrpross]

Personally I'd like this kid plus the 6-8 wing from Pitt.

Ditto. I don't know why we wouldn't want to instantly add a junior with experience in a P5 conference to the roster.

 

[JonathanW]

Baker is better...I have seen Smith play several times. Solid player but (at least right now) not a guy that would likely ever play next year or maybe the year after. Good athlete, good shooter but really needs to work on being a "basketball" player. Think a lesser version of what Mulder was this year.

Interesting. From what I've read on the two, Smith is the more complete player. Baker is only 165 lbs, and not overly athletic (which to me says he is not quick). That is not a good combination. So defense could be a problem. And unless you are an elite player, if you don't defend Cal won't play you.

 

[HoptownCat93]

UNC was ranked in the 100's in 3-point shooting. They just had big boys who could deny people at the rims and rebound every shot. You really just need 1 player like a Doron Lamb that can hit when they are open and you'll be fine. Baker and Green both are good shooters and if Wenyen can improve his shot selection I think he can add that presence as well.

 

[spotter34]

Kinda wonder why he didn't follow Martin? (if Martin liked him so well)

Well it's really kind of rare that a recruit follows a coach to another school. I mean it does happen but it's more the exception than the rule. Why would a kid follow a coach to another school when he and his family had probably been convinced that he would be at the school he recruited him too. Most of the time they just cut ties and move on. Remember Xavier Henry was committed to Memphis with Cal and we all hoped he would follow him to UK but he went to Kansas. It happens this way most of the time.

 

[westerncat]

Agree completely. Johnson, Baker and Bamba, and even with no one returning, I'd be wildly excited for next season.

These 3 would be good to have but Bam or Briscoe I just do not see either one returning. Sound like most have written off Knox . I think there is a chance that Cal can get Knox.

 

[bigc45157]

Either of these options will do just fine.

I hope we seal the deal!

 

[bigc45157]

UNC was ranked in the 100's in 3-point shooting. They just had big boys who could deny people at the rims and rebound every shot. You really just need 1 player like a Doron Lamb that can hit when they are open and you'll be fine. Baker and Green both are good shooters and if Wenyen can improve his shot selection I think he can add that presence as well.

Good post. Their length and ability to alter shots made them a nightmare to face.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

UNC was ranked in the 100's in 3-point shooting. They just had big boys who could deny people at the rims and rebound every shot. You really just need 1 player like a Doron Lamb that can hit when they are open and you'll be fine. Baker and Green both are good shooters and if Wenyen can improve his shot selection I think he can add that presence as well.

Not to bark, but never use this years' UNC team as some metric of how a title can be won.

They were handed four (4) straight games in a row. UNC was going to win the 2017 title even if they were dead last in 3pt shooting.

 

[Smashcat]

Interesting. From what I've read on the two, Smith is the more complete player. Baker is only 165 lbs, and not overly athletic (which to me says he is not quick). That is not a good combination. So defense could be a problem. And unless you are an elite player, if you don't defend Cal won't play you.

Gotta get what you can get. Nobody thinks Knox winds up at UK and Smith sounds like a MSU lean. Baker looks a tad more athletic than Lamb to me, and he can shoot off the bounce. Not just a catch and shoot guy.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

I do not expect any of these late spring guards to do much next year. Maybe a spot 3 pt shooter here and there, if they do offer much they will certainly be outplaying theri rankings.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Don't like his name. doesn't look like a superstar name. pass

It sounds stupid but their name is the first indicator. That's definitely a three-star player name if I ever heard one

 

[Untouchables22]

I'm always skeptical of West Coast guys leaving the west coast. Doesn't happen often and they are often miserable and home sick until they return back to the west. Hope this kid is the exception to the rule.

 

[Federal Cat]

To bad Jodie Meeks don't have a couple sons who can shoot as well as him, I hope we get the best one out there whoever that may be, go BBN

 

[caneintally]

I want them both.

WE ain't adding 2 guards. Now a guard ( smith or Barker ) and a sf ( knox or Cam ) and C ( bamba) then yes that is possible. I want Smith more then Barker but in Cal I trust.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

Well it's really kind of rare that a recruit follows a coach to another school. I mean it does happen but it's more the exception than the rule. Why would a kid follow a coach to another school when he and his family had probably been convinced that he would be at the school he recruited him too. Most of the time they just cut ties and move on. Remember Xavier Henry was committed to Memphis with Cal and we all hoped he would follow him to UK but he went to Kansas. It happens this way most of the time.

John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe say hi

 

[spotter34]

John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe say hi

What are you talking about? None of them were committed to Memphis. Cousins was on the verge but he was committed to UAB at one point but he hadn't officially committed to Memphis. Wall and Bledsoe hadn't committed to anyone.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

What are you talking about? None of them were committed to Memphis. Cousins was on the verge but he was committed to UAB at one point but he hadn't officially committed to Memphis. Wall and Bledsoe hadn't committed to anyone.

Wall and Cousins were always going where Cal was don't kid yourself.

 

[kmann0433]

I think he'd essentially be our version of Matt Jones (Duke). Not really a killer off the dribble, not a crazy athlete, but the dude is a shot maker. With the athletes we will/could have the next couple years, I think he'll be a nice tool to have because he's a 2-4 year player IMO.

 

[KySpringCat]

WE ain't adding 2 guards. Now a guard ( smith or Barker ) and a sf ( knox or Cam ) and C ( bamba) then yes that is possible. I want Smith more then Barker but in Cal I trust.

I agree, but I don't see why we can't. We should have enough rides available.

 

[spotter34]

Wall and Cousins were always going where Cal was don't kid yourself.

Well Cousins was more so than Wall but you're right they really liked Cal but they hadn't made a commitment to him at Memphis so I don't consider it the same thing as Barker.