Kentucky transfer to play this year at Arizona
The Arizona basketball team has received a boost from, of all places, the NCAA. Kentucky transfer Jemarl Baker has been granted an NCAA waiver and will be eligible immediately.
Baker transferred to Arizona after two injury plagued seasons at UK where he averaged just 2.3 points a game last season in 28 games. A member of the 2017 recruiting class, he sat out the 2017-18 season with a knee injury. The irony is that his eligibility will aid Arizona after they lost Brandon Williams to a knee injury. Baker is expected to fill a role similar to that of Williams as a scorer who can also play minutes backing up Nico Mannion at point guard.
The 6-4 Barker hails from the Los Angeles area and was a 4-star prospect in the 2017 class. Rated as a top-75 player he is known for his scoring ability and outside shooting. Barker also gives Arizona another taller guard.
Arizona opens the season of Friday night with an exhibition game against Chico State.