Ranking each Duke basketball player in the Blue-White games

6. Evaluating Blue-White Duke basketball contributor Joey Baker

Combined stats for Joey Baker:

• 24 minutes
• 10 points
• 4-for-8 from the field, 2-for-5 from three
• Two rebounds
• One assist
• Zero steals
• Zero blocks
• Two turnovers

Joey Baker played particularly crisply in the opening 12-minute scrimmage for Team Blue. That included his picturesque first score, which came off a pullup jumper from 12 feet following a nifty head-fake that created space against fellow 2021-22 Duke basketball co-captain Wendell Moore.

Speaking of space-creating, though, Baker still doesn’t display much in terms of handles. Instead, he usually must rely solely on his off-the-ball movements to find open looks. And without becoming a ferocious rebounder — far from it on Friday night or in his first three seasons with the Blue Devils — the 6-foot-6, 205-pound small forward will have a tough time finding easy scores.

Still, he appears to have cut down on his miscues while also bulking up a smidge, which may help him not be such a liability on defense. Now, judging by Baker’s brilliant rapport with teammates in his captain role and seeing that he is potentially the most refined sniper on the team, he will likely see more playing time than in years past.

Player grade: 82 (B-)