Prospect Spotlight: Dezman Baker (2022 Mountainside)
A junior looking to really emerge this season is Dezman Baker Dezman Baker 6'3" | SF Mountainside | 2022 State OR . The long 6-foot-4, 185-pound swingman has started since his freshman year at Mountainside but in 2021 he’ll be…
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Continue ReadingA junior looking to really emerge this season is Dezman Baker Dezman Baker 6'3" | SF Mountainside | 2022 State OR . The long 6-foot-4, 185-pound swingman has started since his freshman year at Mountainside but in 2021 he’ll be ascending into a leading role. Baker has started capturing the attention of college programs after honing his game this past summer and fall with A-Train Oregon Magic.
“We’ve put together a good group of guys and we’ve been trying to get used to each other and play better as a team,” Baker said. “We’ve been in some good tournaments and we’ll be pretty good when it all comes together. We have a lot of different guys so it’s hard to guard when we have so many different people who can score and play make for each other.”
Baker has certainly made his presence known on the defensive end. Using his length, athleticism, and effort, he’s a great individual defender who has the ability to guard multiple positions. Offensively, he’s always been a slasher but in AAU ball Baker has been knocking down open shots – something he’s put a lot of work into.
“Definitely my outside shot compared to last year is way different – I’m taking a lot more threes and they’re starting to go in, which is nice,” Baker said. “And defense, I’ve always enjoyed playing defense and having defensive pride and that’s helped keep the team together. It translates to offense and that’s how we get better as a team overall, it starts on defense.”
Central Washington, Chaminade, and Macalester (MN) have been some of the programs that have started talking to Baker. He’s keeping all of his options open for now. “Really I’m just looking to play – any school that wants me, I’m glad to play for them and have a good time,” Baker said. “I’m looking for a good group of guys too. Hopefully, this season will be a big year for me. If I play right and do good, I’m waiting to see what else I can get.”
With that said, there’s no question Baker is excited about finally suiting up for the Mavericks again and how things are shaping up for him and his teammates. “The last two years I’ve been playing varsity and have always been a playmaking, not really really super big role,” Baker said. “But this year, I feel like it’s going to be a huge year because I’ve got a big role now and will have the opportunity to score a lot more. We have a lot of new guys and everybody has put in a lot of work in the off-season and we’re going to come out strong.”
Baker currently ranks as the #18 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2022 rankings.