Kentucky transfer Jemarl Baker commits to Arizona

Kentucky transfer Jemarl Baker Jr. has committed to the Arizona Wildcats, he announced Tuesday on Twitter.

The 6-foot-4 swingman appeared in 28 games at Kentucky this past season as a redshirt freshman, averaging 2.3 points per game while shooting 33 percent from the field and 31 percent from 3.

Baker visited Arizona this past weekend. The Los Angeles native was also considering San Diego State, Fresno State, Arizona State and Marquette.

A former four-star recruit, Baker was the No. 73 player in the 2017 recruiting class. He sat out the 2017-18 season after undergoing knee surgery in October 2017.

Baker originally committed to Cal in December of 2016, but decommitted a few months later before pledging to Kentucky.

Baker will likely have to sit out the 2019-20 season. Arizona will need to clear a scholarship in order to add him.

“In Jemarl’s case, his injury in his first year and even the early part of this year set him back a little bit, but I still believe he’s an impact player who can score and defend,” UK coach John Calipari said in a statement.

“He’s a better defender than people give him credit for, and we knew we could play him this season in any situation because we knew he was always going to defend. I appreciate everything he did for this program. Like any kid that leaves us, I’ll be watching his career from afar. We’ll always be here for him.”

This story will be updated.

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