Photo by Shawn Smith | Go Big Blue Country
Jemarl Baker got to look at basketball in a different perspective
LEXINGTON, Ky – Kentucky redshirt freshman Jemarl Baker missed the entire 2017-18 season with a knee injury.
Baker, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, was initially thought to only miss the first three months of the season. However, he had to build and regain strength in his injured leg before he could play. The injury actually occurred during the state championship game of his senior season in high school.
“In my state championship game in high school I bumped knees,” said Baker. “I had a bone bruise and tore my meniscus.”
The good news is Baker is back to 100-percent and he’s full go in his summer workouts. He admits the road back was tough, but he learned a lot from being forced to sit and watch during his first season in Lexington.
“It was definitely tough to get it back. It was something that I hadn’t been through before, but I enjoyed the process. I just got to look at basketball in a different perspective. Now, I’m just ready to go and I’ll be better this year.”
“After surgery my whole leg was really little. I just knew it was going to be a process for me to even get strength back in my leg.”
The Menifee, CA., native was brought to Kentucky to be an outside threat for a team that desperately needed one. The Wildcats saw their streak of 1,047 games with a made three-pointer come to an end vs. Davidson in the NCAA Tournament. With Baker healthy, Kentucky will have someone that can consistently knock down outside shots.
Despite the injury and a full year away from basketball, Baker is confident in his game and where he’s at on the court. He’s back working out and doing what he enjoys.
“I feel great. I’ve been working out ever since I’ve been back. My shot feels good and my game feels good. I’m just ready to get out there and play.”
