Joey Baker, a four-star small forward in the 2019 class, was one of the major stock risers of the first half of the travel season. During the two open weekends in April, he was one of the best players on the entire Under Armour circuit, and it only enhanced his recruitment.
Since June 15 when coaches could begin directly contacting prospects in the 2019 class, Baker said he’s been in consistent contact with UCLA, Louisville, NC State, North Carolina and Florida. Georgia Tech is the most recent offer and he’s also been in touch with Duke lately.
Baker’s most recent visits were to Duke and North Carolina during last basketball season, and visited NC State on Wednesday.
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IN HIS OWN WORDS
Georgia Tech: “Their head coach (Josh Pastner) called and offered. He didn’t have too much to say other than he’s looking forward to developing a relationship. I know they are on the rise. He won ACC Coach of the Year.”
Louisville: “They are really good. They play in the ACC and always have a really strong schedule. Coach (Rick) Pitino is a Hall of Fame coach. I like them.”
North Carolina: “It was a great visit. They are always really good and they have a great family atmosphere. I’m very comfortable there."
NC State: “I like them. I think they are going to get NC State back to the top of the ACC there. They have a good coaching staff.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Baker will be back with Team Felton in July and the first stop will be in at Atlanta at the Under Armour Finals. He’ll follow it up with a stop at the Under Armour All-American camp during the second open weekend in July. On the recruiting side, Baker said he definitely wants to get out and see more of the schools recruiting him, but a decision won’t come for a while.
RIVALS’ REACTION
When the North Carolina schools in the Triangle all want a North Carolina kid, it’s very hard to pry him away. Duke and North Carolina have yet to put a scholarship offer out yet, but it appears to be headed that direction with both if he continues to play the way he did in April. NC State’s new staff under Kevin Keatts will always be a factor for top North Carolina kids. If somehow Baker does head out of state, Louisville likely has the best shot to reel him in.
