Duke basketball: Joey Baker finds new big-time destination

Duke basketball transfer wing Joey Baker has found a new home at a big-time destination. 

After a rocky tenure in Durham with the Duke basketball program, Joey Baker has found a new home with the Michigan Wolverines.

Baker announced his commitment via social media over the weekend.

Michigan had been the favorite for Baker throughout the transfer process but he had also been connected with Georgia and George Washington, taking visits to all three schools.

The 6-foot-6 guard from Fayetteville, North Carolina spent four seasons with the Blue Devils and was never truly able to get his career off the ground due to a number of circumstances.

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After reclassifying to join the recruiting class of Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones, Baker was planning to redshirt his first season in Durham but after a rash of injuries hit Duke in late February, his redshirt was burned in order to play a total of 18 minutes in four games.

A 37.9-percent 3-point shooter in his Duke career, Baker only averaged 4.1 points per game with the Blue Devils.

Joey Baker underwent offseason surgery on his left hip and was initially going to return to Duke for the 2022-23 season, according to the program, before announcing his intentions to enter the transfer portal.

Duke basketball transfers finding new homes

The Blue Devils had three transfers this offseason; Joey Baker, Michael Savarino, and Keenan Worthington.

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Savarino, the grandson of Mike Krzyzewski, committed to New York University last week while Worthington, an under the radar and surprise transfer, remains uncommitted.

Duke also saw five players, Paolo Banchero, AJ Griffin, Wendell Moore, Mark Williams, and Trevor Keels, leave school early to enter the NBA Draft as the first season under head coach Jon Scheyer will have a number of new faces in the program.