Baker presence draws praise from Coach K
By Rodd Baxley
Staff writer
Duke freshman Joey Baker is active on the Blue Devil bench.
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski noticed the Fayetteville native’s energy during Duke’s 23-point comeback against Louisville last week.
With the Blue Devils trailing by 14 with six minutes left, Baker jumped off the bench during a timeout to tell his teammates, “Right now, we’re doing this.”
After Duke walked off the court with a miraculous 71-69 victory, the clip of Baker went viral on Twitter.
“He’s in the moment with them instead of reacting to the moment that they just did,” Krzyzewski said of Baker’s presence on the bench.
'That’s a cool thing for a kid to be able to do that when he’s not playing.”
Baker, who appears to be on track to redshirt this season, reclassified in May 2018 to join the Blue Devils a year earlier than expected. He became the fifth piece to the nation’s top recruiting class, joining R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones. Three of those players are expected to be lottery picks in June’s NBA draft.
Krzyzewski said Baker is on a different weight-training program and has been a member of the “so-called scout team” each practice.
“He’s made the most of his year,” Krzyzewski continued, “right in with this group, instead of saying, ‘I’m going to wait my turn’ or whatever.” Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver. com or 910-486-3519.
By Rodd Baxley
Staff writer
Duke freshman Joey Baker is active on the Blue Devil bench.
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski noticed the Fayetteville native’s energy during Duke’s 23-point comeback against Louisville last week.
With the Blue Devils trailing by 14 with six minutes left, Baker jumped off the bench during a timeout to tell his teammates, “Right now, we’re doing this.”
After Duke walked off the court with a miraculous 71-69 victory, the clip of Baker went viral on Twitter.
“He’s in the moment with them instead of reacting to the moment that they just did,” Krzyzewski said of Baker’s presence on the bench.
'That’s a cool thing for a kid to be able to do that when he’s not playing.”
Baker, who appears to be on track to redshirt this season, reclassified in May 2018 to join the Blue Devils a year earlier than expected. He became the fifth piece to the nation’s top recruiting class, joining R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones. Three of those players are expected to be lottery picks in June’s NBA draft.
Krzyzewski said Baker is on a different weight-training program and has been a member of the “so-called scout team” each practice.
“He’s made the most of his year,” Krzyzewski continued, “right in with this group, instead of saying, ‘I’m going to wait my turn’ or whatever.” Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver. com or 910-486-3519.
