Trouble ahead: Predicting entire Duke basketball roster next season

No. 33 on the 247Sports 2018 Composite

So far this season, Joey Baker has both led the Blue Devils in slapping the floor (a program tradition that sets the tone for a defensive stand) and called together his on-court teammates during brief breaks in action (another Duke basketball staple).

Those sights and others — such as how when he’s on the bench he consistently cheers louder than the females on the baseline with pom-poms — should put to rest any talk of a possible transfer from Baker, a former four-star recruit out of Trinity Christian School (Fayetteville, N.C.). Nope, the small forward has, for the most part, capitalized on his somewhat-steady supply of playing time this season while never appearing anything but all-in as a Blue Devil.

Obviously, Baker still has work to do before becoming a leading man in Durham — namely, creating his own shot off the dribble and having his execution match his energy on defense. That said, his strokes from both beyond the arc and the charity stripe — to the present tune of 43.5 and 100.0 shooting percentages, respectively — have the potential to become deadly weapons for Coach K’s squads for two and a half more seasons.

It’s not like he’s at the center of NBA franchises’ radars. Simply put, Baker is almost certainly not going anywhere and looks to be an invaluable Duke basketball asset next season.

Moving on now to this vital asset…