PREVIEW SERIES: Jemarl Baker

Cats Illustrated is previewing every scholarship player on Kentucky's 2017-2018 basketball roster.

Part five of the series is on Jemarl Baker. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard from California was never thought to be a major target. Once committed to the California Golden Bears, Baker decommitted after Cuonzo Martin left for Missouri.

Baker was recruited to Kentucky because of his shooting ability. Will that be his ticket to playing time this season?

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(8/9/2017) SACHA KILLEYA-JONES LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK AFTER A TOUGH YEAR

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High School: Baker flew under the radar as a high school player and there are two big reasons as to why. Players on the west coast don't receive as much hype as players on the east coach, plus playing on the Under Armour circuit he didn't play on the biggest stage. But Baker also committed to California early. Players that commit their sophomore or junior year aren't as sexy as players that take things down to the wire.

But as you know, Baker decommitted from California and committed to Kentucky just four days after the Cats offered. Baker averaged 16.8 points during his senior year of high school and hit 91 threes. On the Under Armour circuit last summer he averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and two steals per game.

Kentucky recruited Baker because Calipari wanted to make sure this year's team had a shooter. Baker is one of the best shooters in the class of 2017 and it was a huge coup for UK to land him. Had Cuonzo Martin stayed at California then Baker would have stayed committed to the Golden Bears.

Summer Rumblings: Baker has stayed under the radar this summer, too. But that may not be a great thing for summer workouts and pickup games. That's where everything is exaggerated and so-and-so is going to have a breakout year. We haven't heard much about Baker this summer but Cats Illustrated reached out to get the scoop.

Sources close to the team said that fewer players, if any, were working hard than Baker. Baker has lived in the gym and enjoys workouts, that isn't necessarily the norm for some elite-level basketball players. Shooting wise Baker is living up to his billing but athleticism and defense may be what limits Baker's minutes.

You can't put too much stock into summer rumblings, both good and bad, so the jury is still out on Baker.

2017-2018 Prediction: Baker's production for the upcoming season will likely depend on how well Hamidou Diallo, Quade Green, Shai Alexander and Kevin Knox shoot from the perimeter next season.

When listing the strengths of all four players shooting wouldn't be at the top of their lists. All are incredibly talented and do a lot of things great, but as high school players shooting wasn't their go-to move. Maybe they get better this summer and fall, but if they don't then Baker will have an opening.

But it's a loaded backcourt and Baker may be a year or two away. Expect Baker to get chances in November and December, and if he can defend he will likely see minutes later in the season, but it would be a surprise to see Baker getting valuable minutes come March.

Baker will have a role at Kentucky but that may not be until 2018-2019.