Predicted stats for six Duke basketball forwards next season
By Matt Giles
Ranking six forwards on the 2020-21 Duke basketball team: Joey Baker
Junior. player. Scouting Report. 6-7, 210. Joey Baker. 6. 434. Pick Analysis
Understandably, Duke basketball fans on social media were encouraged to watch the highlights from a recent open run that Joey Baker posted on his Instagram last week. The small forward out of Fayetteville, N.C., though always chiseled, appears to have packed on a few lean pounds, which could earn him some time at the four-spot should the team suffer serious foul trouble and/or injuries.
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More importantly, speaking to his potential to help out in a guard-like role, the brief video evidence above suggests a set of refined handles may now be in the rising junior’s arsenal. Last season, despite draining 39.4 percent of his 3-point attempts and 91.7 percent of his free throws, Baker’s struggles in creating his own shot off the dribble — plus his measly 0.9 boards per game and rudimentary defensive capabilities — limited his minutes to an average of 12.1 per game.
Predicted production next season for Joey Baker (four key averages): 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.6 steals