Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Wing Now Heading to G League

Four-year Duke basketball player Joey Baker is returning to the state of his final college destination following a few months overseas.
Matt Giles|
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Duke Blue Devils

After going undrafted following a five-year college career, Joey Baker began his pro path with Pieno Zvaigzdes in the Lithuanian Basketball League. But the 23-year-old, a former senior captain on Mike Krzyzewski's final Duke basketball team, drew a start in only two of his 15 games there, averaging 5.5 points in 14.6 minutes per contest.

Now, the 23-year-old Baker, a former four-star prep out of Trinity Christian School in Fayetteville, N.C., has a shot to make an impression in the NBA G League.

And he gets to do so in Michigan, the state where he played his fifth year of college ball as a 3-point specialist for Juwan Howard's 2022-23 Wolverines after graduating from Duke.

He'll suit up for Grand Rapids Gold, the G League affiliate of the Denver Nuggets. The franchise welcomed Baker via the following post on Monday, using a photo of him in Michigan gear rather than Blue Devil attire, presumably with the hope of selling tickets to some of his in-state fans:

As a Blue Devil, Joey Baker never averaged more than 5.0 points per game. However, he shot a respectable 40.5 percent from 3-point land as a senior, averaging 11.9 minutes across his 34 outings for a squad that reached the Final Four and finished with a 32-7 overall record.

Baker was part of a five-deep Duke basketball class that ranked No. 1 in the country and featured the cycle's top three prospects in RJ Barrett, Zion Williamson, and Cam Reddish, along with five-star Tre Jones.

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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more updates on former Blue Devils in the professional ranks and other Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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