Jemarl Baker misses UK’s first exhibition game due to knee issue

Jemarl Baker can’t seem to catch a break.

The redshirt freshman is being held out of the Kentucky Wildcats’ exhibition game tonight vs. Transy due to a knee issue. The school says it’s precautionary and he’ll return to practice this weekend.

Baker missed all of last season and hardly practiced due to a knee procedure he had during last year’s preseason. He was a highly regarded recruit and boasted a skill for shooting that last year’s team desperately missed.

Baker can certainly light it up from behind the three-point line. In reports from last year’s practices, both before his knee surgery and when he was released to shoot afterward, players raved about Baker’s accuracy from deep.

Baker also proved he’s far more than just a shooter this offseason. At UK’s Pro Day workout, Baker led all Kentucky players in lane agility and ¾-court sprint times. His 10.24 second agility time among the best 20 ever recorded, according to ESPN.

Baker also missed the Bahamas trip due to swelling in that surgically-repaired knee. He has been practicing and even played in the Blue-White Game, so hopefully, this setback is nothing major.

With Baker out tonight, that means the walk-ons will get more run behind the other nine scholarship players, so more Brad Calipari and “SHOOT” from the crowd.

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