'13 IN G Darryl Baker (Lamar Signee)

[Buckskin86]

Only a freshman: Darryl Baker making a name for himself
by Alex in Recruiting | September 1st, 2009

If there’s anyone qualified to judge a basketball talent at Jeffersonville High School, former Mr. Basketball, state champion and McDonald’s All-American Sherron Wilkerson would be the man.

Wilkerson, a former IU guard who recently accepted a head coaching job at Herron in Indianapolis, coached Jeff guard Darryl Baker this summer on Team Southern Indiana. He’s been a family friend of Baker since he was born.

“He’s as good right now as I was as a junior in high school,” Wilkerson told Inside the Hall of Baker. “It’s kind of a double-edged sword for the kid because he’s had so much success at an early age that mentally he doesn’t understand just yet what it’s going to take to sustain a high level. He’s so young, so that’s going to come with time. His athletic ability to attack the bucket and his understanding of the game is extremely high.”

The 14-year old Baker attended both of IU’s Elite camps this summer and Wilkerson said he’s fielded calls from Evansville, Purdue, Connecticut and Xavier inquiring about the 6-1 guard.

“Matt (Denison) did a pretty good job in July of getting those guys seen by midwest college coaches and a lot of them like Darryl Baker,” Wilkerson said.

With four years of high school still ahead before he’ll step on a college campus, Wilkerson said the most important part of Baker’s development will be dedicating himself to getting better everyday.

“A lot of people have a tendency to start out at a young age and for whatever the reason may be, they have a tendency of not continuing their development,” he said. “A lot of it just depends on how much he’s willing to commit and how much he’s willing to dedicate himself.”

Wilkerson, the last player to attend IU from Jeff, was dismissed from the team by former coach Bob Knight in 1996 and hopes he can pass along the lessons he learned to the younger generation, including Baker.

“The biggest thing is not on the court, it’s off the court,” Wilkerson said. “That’s the hardest part. In theory, you’re really only spending two to three hours a day on the basketball floor. The rest of the time in your personal life, in the public eye, you become a target. It’s almost a situation where you really almost have to quarantine yourself because you’re going to have your naysayers and you’re obviously going to have people in your corner.”

“There’s a fine line you have to walk to keep yourself grounded and that’s the part I struggled with. Hopefully he’ll take heed to the advice that I’ve been trying to give him and so far he’s done a pretty good job.”

http://www.insidethehall.com/2009/09/01/only-a-freshman-darryl-baker-making-a-name-for-himself/

Freshman on the map

Darryl Baker has yet to play a varsity game and won't turn 15 until next month, but the 6-1 Jeffersonville guard is already familiar to college coaches. Baker took an unofficial visit to Michigan State last weekend and is gaining interest from a number of schools.

"He doesn't have any offers yet, but it seems like a lot of people know about him," said Theo Moore, Baker's uncle. "We had a good trip to Michigan State and had a chance to meet the coaches and players. It was good for him to see what that was like."

Baker played up two age groups this summer, for the 16-and-under Team Southern Indiana program coached by former Jeffersonville and Indiana University standout Sherron Wilkerson.

Moore said it was a learning experience for Baker, who sometimes got by on ability against his peers.

"He has a good understanding of the game," Moore said. "I think he's learning that he has to go hard all the time. He has the skills. He can dribble with his left or right, can shoot it and can get to the basket. And he believes in the team concept. He'll get it to the open man."

Moore said among the schools to show interest in Baker are Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Xavier.

Purdue offers scholarship to 6-10 Chesterton junior | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

 

[wadc45]

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - Elite Training Camp event: Top Performers

Darryl Baker: He is one of the top prospects, if not the top prospect, in Indiana in the 2013 class, and there is no doubt the kid will live up to the hype. Baker is still figuring out how to play the game, but he is a physically mature player who relies on strength and athleticism to make plays. He handles the ball very well for a prospect his size, and shows signs of being a point guard despite right now being most comfortable on the wing. As his shot continues to improve, Baker will be a force, but right now his peers simply aren't able to match his strength and athleticism off the dribble.

 

[purduerowdie]

likely out for the year

http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/2009/11/clark-to-sign-baker-out.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Published: December 13, 2009
DENISON: Injury hasn't slowed interest in Jeff's Baker
BY MATT DENISON
Local Columnist

Jeffersonville?s Darryl Baker sustained a season-ending injury last month during a pre-season practice, but the list of colleges eying the budding star continues to grow.

The freshman has already taken unofficial campus visits to Michigan State and Ohio State, and he?s twice been a guest in Bloomington for Indiana University?s ?elite camp? for potential recruits.

And Baker was a guest of Butler University this weekend, where he took in the Butler-Ohio State game on Saturday afternoon.

Baker was diagnosed in late November with a broken knee cap, although doctors told the family no tendon, ligament or joint damage occurred.

?He?s handled the injury like a man,? said Theo Moore, the player?s uncle. ?He?s trying to eat right, trying to make sure that when he starts rehab he?s in the best possible shape considering the circumstances. He?s anxious to get back going.?

Baker, who is receiving letters and questionnaires from colleges across the country, is sidelined for the entire high school season but hopes to return late in the spring for AAU.

The News and Tribune - DENISON: Injury hasn't slowed interest in Jeff's Baker

 

[Buckskin86]

April 10, 2010
Jeffersonville's Baker back on track
Posted by Kyle Neddenriep

Remember Darryl Baker? The standout from Jeffersonville was highly-regarded before his freshman season, then broke his tibia in his right leg and missed the entire year.

Well, he's back. And he looks pretty darned good. The 6-2 Baker scored 27 points for 16-and-under Team Southern Indiana (he's playing up a year) in a 91-81 win over the Indy Bulls at the Indyball.com Shootout at North Central on Saturday.

"I feel like I'm about 90 percent now," Baker said. "It was hard at first, trying to get the muscle back, but it got easier as I got back in the flow."

Baker said he has taken unofficial visits to Butler, Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State and has an offer from Xavier. He said his goal for the summer "is to not have anybody doubt me because of the injury."

IndyStar.com | Recruiting Central | The Indianapolis Star

 

[turner69]

Jeffersonville Frosh Phenom Darryl Baker averaged 22 a game in a AAU tourney this past weekend. While only being 15 he played up a division in the U16. Even with Louisville very high on his list the Cards have not come a calling as of now. In one game he scored 21 in the first half and finished with 27 and could have had 40+ if he played more. See the video below.


http://www.rivals.com/uploads/942/935915.wmv

 

[Buckskin86]

Attention back on a healthy Darryl Baker: Jeffersonville basketball phenom ready to shine on summer circuit
By Jody Demling ? [email protected] ? May 10, 2010

Jeffersonville?s Darryl Baker Jr. has returned to basketball after an injury forced him to sit out his freshman year.

The breakout party for Darryl Baker Jr. was delayed.

The freshman at Jeffersonville High School generated hype last summer on the basketball court.

Baker, 6 feet 2 and 190 pounds, was considered one of the top players nationally in the Class of 2013 based on his summer work and was ready to show the Hoosier State the accolades were spot on.

Instead, Baker had to sit and watch his entire freshman season after breaking the tip of the tibia in his right leg.

?It was one of the toughest things I've ever been through,? Baker said. ?I was ready to go. It was so frustrating.?

Baker has bounced back physically ? and mentally ? and has picked up right where he left off as the star of the Team Southern Indiana Red squad coached by former Indiana Mr. Basketball Sherron Wilkerson.

The athletic Baker is showing no ill effects of the injury and is primed for another breakout this summer.

?I have a lot to make up, but I'm going for it,? Baker said while playing for the TSI team in the Indiana State AAU Tournament in Franklin last weekend. ?It was tough to sit out.

?But in the long run, it helped me get my mind ready for this summer and get focused. This is a big time for me.?

Baker already is hearing from NCAA Division I schools and recently picked up his first scholarship offer ? Xavier.

Baker said besides the Xavier offer, he's hearing from Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State and Butler. He has made several trips to Bloomington in the past year.

Attention back on a healthy Darryl Baker: Jeffersonville basketball phenom ready to shine on summer circuit | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

 

[turner69]

Adidas May Classic

Baker averaged 27 points in 4 games in the U16 division. His team went 3-1 and he played extremely well. Remember he's only 15!!

 

[Buckskin86]

adidas May Classic video: Darryl Baker
by Alex Bozich in Video | May 18th, 2010

After a big summer for Team Southern Indiana in 2009, Jeffersonville guard Darryl Baker was regarded as one of the top incoming freshman in the state. But a broken leg sidelined Baker for the entire 2009-2010 season and the 6-1 guard could only watch as his teammates knocked off No. 1 Bloomington South in the Seymour regional. Inside the Hall caught up with Baker at the adidas May Classic to get an update on his injury and his recruitment:

adidas May Classic video: Darryl Baker | Inside the Hall | An Indiana Hoosiers basketball blog

 

[Buckskin86]

July 30, 2010
Jefferonsville's Baker on his way
Posted by Kyle Neddenriep

Jeffersonville's Darryl Baker (2013) is setting his sights a little higher than most in his college recruitment.

"I want to get (offers from) every school in the country," Baker said with a smile.

OK, that's probably impossible. But the 6-1 guard did have Indiana coach Tom Crean and assistant Tim Buckley watching him courtside Wednesday at the USSSA national championship Wednesday at Fort Wayne. He has an offer from Xavier and interest from several other schools, including Butler, IU, Louisville and Purdue.

"If I had to pick one school that's been showing more interest than others it's probably Xavier," Baker said. "It's a good basketball school."

Baker said he feels more comfortable playing shooting guard, but said he "has the potential to play the (point)" in college. "I've been working to get my handles and outside shot better this summer," he said.

Baker is still a long way away from a college decision and eager to play a full varsity season after missing his freshman year due to a knee injury. He's back to full strength heading into his sophomore year.

"I think I've had a pretty good summer," he said. "All the schools are pretty much even right now."

IndyStar.com | Recruiting Central | The Indianapolis Star

 

[Buckskin86]

August 4, 2010
Baker already being wooed by big-time programs
By GREG MENGELT [email protected]

JEFFERSONVILLE ? Darryl Baker hasn?t played a minute of high school basketball.

Yet, many of the nation?s elite basketball programs are trying to convince the Jeffersonville High School sophomore to come play basketball at their schools.

Rivals.com has reported that Butler, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, Ohio State, Purdue and Xavier are at the top of Baker?s list.

On Tuesday, Baker confirmed that the list is accurate.

?Xavier and Ohio State are (contacting) me a lot,? Baker admitted. ?But all of them are my favorites. I like them all.?

Baker already being wooed by big-time programs ? Sports ? Evening News and Tribune

 

[Buckskin86]

Q & A: 2013 Jeffersonville guard Darryl Baker
by Alex Bozich in Recruiting
October 5th, 2010

After missing his entire freshman season with a broken right leg, Jeffersonville sophomore guard Darryl Baker returned to the court for Team Southern Indiana and put together an impressive summer on the AAU circuit. Inside the Hall caught up with the 2013 guard on Tuesday and talked about his recent trip to Bloomington and a variety of other topics:

On his trip to Bloomington for the IU-Michigan football game:

?It was great. I loved it. I loved the environment. I love the coaching staff, the players. They?re great people to be around.?

On playing in open gym at Cook Hall:

?I liked it. I got to get a couple of runs in. There were some good players there from Indiana like Jeremy Hollowell and Hanner Perea, those type of guys. It was nice to get to play against them since I only see them maybe once in the summertime during AAU ball.?

On where things stand with IU from a recruiting standpoint:

?I think they?re waiting for me to come back (to offer a scholarship). I talk to Coach Crean all the time whenever I go down there and visit. He tells me I can be the next one, the next good player. He tells me I just need to work hard and keep the same attitude I have.?

On the recovery from his injury:

?I think I?m at 100 percent right now. I feel better than I had before. I don?t have any problems with my leg. Before I broke it, I had problems with it, it always hurt. Now I don?t have any problems, so I think I?m at 100 percent, maybe even better.?

On the schools actively involved in his recruitment:

?Mainly Indiana, Purdue and Xavier are the ones I talk to the most. Ohio State and Michigan State, too.?

http://www.insidethehall.com/2010/10/05/q-a-2013-jeffersonville-guard-darryl-baker/