Kentucky’s new hero: Jemarl Baker answers the call in NCAA Tournament
By Joe Cox
Published:
When P.J. Washington sprained his foot against Tennessee, Kentucky had to figure out a way to replace the injured Washington despite a roster of just eight scholarship players. It was only poetic justice that the man they turned to had missed more than a season with his own injury problems.
But Jemarl Baker, a 6-4 guard, is healthy now, and the semi-unknown redshirt freshman has set career scoring highs in each of Kentucky’s first two NCAA Tournament games. Particularly if Washington can’t play, Baker will be key in Kentucky’s attempts to move on to the Final Four this weekend.
Baker was something of an under-the-radar prospect in John Calipari’s 2017 recruiting class. A 4-star prospect who 247sports ranked as the 73rd-best player in his graduating class, Baker was far less celebrated than his fellow UK signees, each of the seven of whom were ranked No. 31 or higher. Baker had great bloodlines (his father played at Cal State Northridge and a sister played at Grand Canyon University), an excellent perimeter shot, and a celebrated work ethic.
But then, he had a lot of sitting. A knee injury and pair of surgeries sidelined Baker through the entire 2017-18 season, so while that team made a Sweet 16 run, he was limited to earning Academic Honor Roll honors on the sidelines. The injury was slow to heal, and Baker sat through the team’s trip to the Bahamas in August and first eight games of this season.
When he finally returned, Baker was somewhat tentative. Through the regular season and conference tournament, he averaged just over 8 minutes and 2 points per game. His role was uncertain enough that he never got off the bench for Kentucky’s semifinal SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee.
But then, Washington’s injury changed everything. Against Abilene Christian, when Kentucky jumped to an early lead, Calipari suddenly had very few options available if he wanted to rest starting wings Ashton Hagans, Tyler Herro or Keldon Johnson. With freshman Immanuel Quickley shooting 0-for-6, Baker found himself drawing more and more opportunities. His 24 minutes played were a career high and the fifth-most on the UK team. Baker drained a 3-point shot and 4 free throws and looked increasingly comfortable for the Wildcats.
Unfortunately, he didn’t pick up where he left off. Checking into Saturday’s second round game against Wofford, in his first 18 seconds on the court, Baker turned the ball over and failed to grab a rebound. Back to the bench.
But with Kentucky struggling to score and needing all hands on deck to defend Wofford’s super 3-point shooters, another chance came. And Baker answered.
With Kentucky trailing by 6, he was fouled on a 3-point try, and knocked down all 3 shots, which was like an oasis in the desert of bad shooting for a struggling Kentucky offense. He sunk another basket as Kentucky moved into a first-half lead. When Kentucky fell behind early in the second half, Baker re-entered and drained the team’s first 3 of the game. He finished with a career-high 8 points in 18 pivotal minutes. More important, he helped shadow Wofford’s perimeter scorers and hound the Terriers into a sub-30% performance from long distance.
Praise for the surprise star was effusive after the Wildcats’ 62-56 victory.
“He came in and gave us some big-time minutes,” starting guard Hagans said.
“He just does the little things right and never complains,” senior Reid Travis said. “You respect a guy that comes to work every day.”
For his part, Baker professed happiness at his expanded role, but more so at his team’s success.
“I just want to continue to get better,” he said after the game. “I don’t want to stop here.”
If Kentucky’s season isn’t going to stop, Baker need to continue getting better. His run of career-high scoring efforts is a good start, but the perimeter defense may be even more important.
“I keep saying, we don’t know who’s going to be a star,” said John Calipari on Saturday afternoon.
If Washington can’t be that star, maybe Jemarl Baker can. It’s been a long time coming, but in the shadow of one injury, the one-time mystery player who has finally healed up might be Kentucky’s answer.
Joe Cox is a columnist for Saturday Down South. He has also written or assisted in writing five books, and his most recent, Almost Perfect (a study of baseball pitchers’ near-miss attempts at perfect games), is available on Amazon or at many local bookstores.
