The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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10 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2023 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Michigan grad student Joey Baker had offseason hip surgery after trans- ferring from Duke last spring and ap- pears to be back to normal now. It took a while, but he's starting to regain the form that made him a high four- star recruit out of high school. Baker talked about his role, his im- provement and his play on the court in this Q&A: The Wolverine: Your numbers started going up in early January. How much was it you getting back to full strength after surgery, and how much was get- ting used to the system? Joey Baker: "I think it's a little bit of both. It's my first time having any type of operation or anything done, so not having a summer of work where I'm usually able to do two workouts a day for a few months of the summer and really get better … I think I definitely missed that. "That's taken a little bit of time to get back into rhythm. Then, learning a new system and getting comfortable in it — it takes time." The Wolverine: How much do you think people understand that and have been patient with you because of it? Baker: "Some people realize it and some people expect it to happen right away, but it's definitely a process. I feel like I've been progressing really well. I trust in my work and keep a positive mindset, knowing that good things will happen. I think that's what's been going on." The Wolverine: Duke was viewed as kind of a villain of college basket- ball, given its success. Your teammate, Hunter Dickinson, is kind of viewed the same way as a player. What's it like playing with someone who assumes that role? Baker: "He's awesome. He's a great teammate, cares about all the guys in the locker room. He works hard, prepares, is always watching film, get- ting in extra work. He's someone you love going to work with every day, but when it's time to compete, you know he's going to show up and give you his all. "It's been great. He's awesome. He's funny. He doesn't hold back on what he's thinking and speaks his mind, which I respect. He backs it up. It's fun playing with him." The Wolverine: You played at Michi- gan State with Duke, and now with Michigan. What's it like playing there? Baker: "It was intense, for sure. The way they have their student section set up surrounding your court. As a competitor, that's what you want. It adds fuel to the fire, makes you focus, and you lean on your teammate a little bit more. It's just your guys in there, it feels against the world." The Wolverine: You obviously played in the Duke–North Carolina rivalry, too. What makes a great rivalry? Keegan: "How competitive it was. Either team could win any time they matched up. You knew you were in for a fight, and whoever was on the court was going to give it their all. "That's what makes rivalries like this one so special. It brings out the best in the players and makes for some really competitive, high-level basketball." — Chris Balas A transfer from Duke, Baker has played in some of the most intense rivalries in college bas- ketball. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Sitting Down With Sitting Down With Grad Student Wing Joey Baker