Fayetteville native Joey Baker has bulked up, adding roughly 8 pounds of muscle over the summer
By Rodd Baxley
Staff writer Fayetteville Observer
DURHAM — Growing up, Michael Savarino “never really talked about basketball” with his grandfather, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
But there’s one conversation Savarino will likely never forget.
“There was one instance in 6th grade where (Krzyzewski) sat my brother (Joey) and I down and said, ‘If either of you want to walk-on, that opportunity will always be there,’' Savarino recalled.
“I don’t think he remembers that conversation. But — trust me — I remember that conversation.”
Now, the 18-year-old Savarino is set to play for his 72-year-old grandfather as a freshman walk-on with the Blue Devils.
Donning his white No. 30 Duke jersey— a nod to associate head coach Jon Scheyer — on Monday inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, Savarino couldn’t stop smiling as he talked about the opportunity to play for Krzyzewski.
Now, he just has to become accustomed to calling his grandfather “Coach” instead of “Poppy.”
Savarino, who played his prep basketball at Durham Academy, had other college options. The U.S. Military Academy, where Krzyzewski played and coached, Columbia and several Division II programs were among his suitors.
But Krzyzewski said Savarino earned his way onto the team and has garnered the respect of his teammates throughout the summer.
'He’s not on the team because he’s my grandson,” Krzyzewski said.
“He’d be a pretty good Division II player, but he wanted to come to Duke if he could get in. He knows the lay of the land. He’s really helped us, and he’s been accepted by his teammates as Michael. Or Mike. Or whatever the hell they call him. Knucklehead probably ometimes.”
But was there ever really another choice?
“Honestly, I think I knew I wanted to come here my whole life,” Savarino said with a smile.
“This is my dream school and I’m just grateful to be here.”
And for the first time in his coaching career, Krzyzewski is getting feedback from a player’s grandmother. Mickie Krzyzewski, Mike’s wife, has started looking at the performance charts, checking to see if her grandson is getting some burn in practice. But as a walk-on, Savarino’s opportunities are limited.
“It’s the first time a grandmother has given me a hard time about playing time,” Mike Krzyzewski said with a laugh.
Savarino is the younger son of Krzyzewski’s oldest daughter, Debbie. So far, so good on that front.
“The mother, so far, has been OK,” Krzyzewski said. “But we haven’t played any games.”
Still, if he gets a chance to play this season, Savarino will be ready to add that moment to his memory bank.
“I just hope my whole family is here when it happens just because everything will come full circle,” he said.
“I feel like I’m gonna be shaking … I’m ready for it, but I’m also really nervous about it.
Better Baker
Fayetteville native Joey Baker has bulked up, adding roughly eight pounds of muscle to his frame over the summer.
The Trinity Christian School graduate appeared in just four games as a freshman, totaling 18 minutes and three points last season.
While he lacked the in-game experience, Baker said the opportunity to guard guys like Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and RJ Barrett in practice helped him tremendously.
“You have an idea of what’s going on and how to better prepare for it,” Baker said.
“What you need to do in practice and in games and what it takes to win ... It’s all about experience, having a little bit under your belt.”
Krzyzewski said Baker has had a “really good summer” and pointed to a few lessons to take away from Baker’s freshman experience.
“I think he learned the effort, and that you have to be more ready than he was,” Krzyzewski said.
“He works really hard. He’s in here all the time shooting. He can really shoot the ball. He can carve out playing time by how hard he works, and if he can put that ball in. Because we’re going to play more guys. There’s not as much separation with anybody, maybe Tre (Jones), it’s close. … There’s not a Zion, and even an RJ. Those guys were just ahead of the game.”
For Baker, the focus is on “getting better right now.”
“It’s been awesome,” he said. “I’ve been on campus for pretty much the whole summer, really working on all areas of my game. The whole team has just been grinding together. It’s been great.”
By Rodd Baxley
Staff writer Fayetteville Observer
DURHAM — Growing up, Michael Savarino “never really talked about basketball” with his grandfather, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
But there’s one conversation Savarino will likely never forget.
“There was one instance in 6th grade where (Krzyzewski) sat my brother (Joey) and I down and said, ‘If either of you want to walk-on, that opportunity will always be there,’' Savarino recalled.
“I don’t think he remembers that conversation. But — trust me — I remember that conversation.”
Now, the 18-year-old Savarino is set to play for his 72-year-old grandfather as a freshman walk-on with the Blue Devils.
Donning his white No. 30 Duke jersey— a nod to associate head coach Jon Scheyer — on Monday inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, Savarino couldn’t stop smiling as he talked about the opportunity to play for Krzyzewski.
Now, he just has to become accustomed to calling his grandfather “Coach” instead of “Poppy.”
Savarino, who played his prep basketball at Durham Academy, had other college options. The U.S. Military Academy, where Krzyzewski played and coached, Columbia and several Division II programs were among his suitors.
But Krzyzewski said Savarino earned his way onto the team and has garnered the respect of his teammates throughout the summer.
'He’s not on the team because he’s my grandson,” Krzyzewski said.
“He’d be a pretty good Division II player, but he wanted to come to Duke if he could get in. He knows the lay of the land. He’s really helped us, and he’s been accepted by his teammates as Michael. Or Mike. Or whatever the hell they call him. Knucklehead probably ometimes.”
But was there ever really another choice?
“Honestly, I think I knew I wanted to come here my whole life,” Savarino said with a smile.
“This is my dream school and I’m just grateful to be here.”
And for the first time in his coaching career, Krzyzewski is getting feedback from a player’s grandmother. Mickie Krzyzewski, Mike’s wife, has started looking at the performance charts, checking to see if her grandson is getting some burn in practice. But as a walk-on, Savarino’s opportunities are limited.
“It’s the first time a grandmother has given me a hard time about playing time,” Mike Krzyzewski said with a laugh.
Savarino is the younger son of Krzyzewski’s oldest daughter, Debbie. So far, so good on that front.
“The mother, so far, has been OK,” Krzyzewski said. “But we haven’t played any games.”
Still, if he gets a chance to play this season, Savarino will be ready to add that moment to his memory bank.
“I just hope my whole family is here when it happens just because everything will come full circle,” he said.
“I feel like I’m gonna be shaking … I’m ready for it, but I’m also really nervous about it.
Better Baker
Fayetteville native Joey Baker has bulked up, adding roughly eight pounds of muscle to his frame over the summer.
The Trinity Christian School graduate appeared in just four games as a freshman, totaling 18 minutes and three points last season.
While he lacked the in-game experience, Baker said the opportunity to guard guys like Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and RJ Barrett in practice helped him tremendously.
“You have an idea of what’s going on and how to better prepare for it,” Baker said.
“What you need to do in practice and in games and what it takes to win ... It’s all about experience, having a little bit under your belt.”
Krzyzewski said Baker has had a “really good summer” and pointed to a few lessons to take away from Baker’s freshman experience.
“I think he learned the effort, and that you have to be more ready than he was,” Krzyzewski said.
“He works really hard. He’s in here all the time shooting. He can really shoot the ball. He can carve out playing time by how hard he works, and if he can put that ball in. Because we’re going to play more guys. There’s not as much separation with anybody, maybe Tre (Jones), it’s close. … There’s not a Zion, and even an RJ. Those guys were just ahead of the game.”
For Baker, the focus is on “getting better right now.”
“It’s been awesome,” he said. “I’ve been on campus for pretty much the whole summer, really working on all areas of my game. The whole team has just been grinding together. It’s been great.”
