Andrew Pace
Will Baker, a 7-foot-tall basketball player, has had quite the journey in his college career. From starting out at Texas, to transferring to Nevada, and now playing for LSU, Baker has been a dominant force on the court. With impressive stats and a clear impact on the teams he has played for, Baker's decision to transfer from Texas was a difficult one. Calling it a childhood dream to play for Texas, Baker ultimately decided to leave in order to maximize his potential and growth as a player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Baker |
| From | Westlake High School, Austin |
| Position | Center |
| Height | 7-foot |
| Transfer | From Texas to LSU via Nevada |
| Year of Transfer | 2021 |
| Year of Birth | 1999 or 2000 |
| Points Scored | 29 vs Mississippi Valley (career-high) |
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What You'll Learn
Will Baker's reasons for leaving UT
Will Baker, a sophomore center and former Westlake High School student, decided to leave the University of Texas (UT) basketball program in November 2020. Baker was a highly touted recruit, ranking as one of the top national players in the 2019 class. He was ranked No. 5 in the state, No. 9 among centers, and No. 35 nationally.
Baker's decision to transfer was a difficult one, as he loved his time at UT and appreciated the support from his teammates, coaches, staff, and fans. However, he felt that he was not maximizing his potential at Texas and wanted to focus on his growth and improvement.
In a statement, Baker said, "Playing for Texas was always a childhood dream... The reason it took me so long to make this decision is because I love UT, my teammates, coaches, staff, and fans. I'm grateful for their encouragement and support, and I'm thankful for each experience that built character."
Baker's coach at UT, Shaka Smart, also acknowledged Baker's contributions to the team and wished him well in his future endeavors, stating, "We are very grateful for Will's contributions to our basketball program. We wish Will all the best as he pursues his next opportunity."
After leaving UT, Baker transferred to Nevada for the 2021 spring semester, where he continued to showcase his basketball skills and work towards his goals.
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Will Baker's career at LSU
Will Baker, a native of Austin, Texas, attended Westlake High School and was ranked as one of the top national players in the 2019 class. He initially chose to play for the University of Texas, fulfilling a childhood dream.
After two seasons with the Longhorns, Baker entered the transfer portal in November 2020, citing his desire to maximize his potential and contribute more significantly to his team's success. He then joined the Nevada Wolf Pack for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, where he excelled, averaging 13.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in his junior year.
For his senior season in 2023-24, Baker transferred to LSU, where he started all 33 games and averaged 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds. He had several standout performances, including a career-high 29 points against Mississippi Valley and a 25-point game against Arkansas. Baker's impact at LSU helped solidify their roster construction for the season.
Baker's decision to transfer to LSU for his graduate season allowed him to showcase his skills and contribute to the team's success. His strong performances throughout his college career have undoubtedly left a mark on LSU's basketball program.
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Will Baker's career at Texas
Will Baker's career at the University of Texas was short but impactful. A highly touted prospect out of Westlake High School in Austin, Baker committed to the Longhorns in November 2018, fulfilling a childhood dream of playing for the school. As a freshman, he played in 23 games and was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
Standing at 7 feet tall, Baker was a highly rated recruit, ranked No. 5 in the state, No. 9 among centers, and No. 35 nationally per 247Sports composite. He was the top-ranked prospect in the 2019 signing class, which also included forward Kai Jones and guard Donovan Williams.
Baker's sophomore season, however, got off to a slow start. He sat out the team's season opener and later announced that he would transfer from Texas, citing a desire to maximize his potential and contribute more significantly to his team's success. Despite his decision to leave, Baker expressed gratitude for his time at Texas, stating his love for the university, teammates, coaches, staff, and fans.
One of Baker's most memorable performances for Texas came in a game against TCU, where he exploded for 20 points in a 70-56 win. His floor-spacing skills were on full display, as he hit 8 of 12 from the field and 4 of 6 from the 3-point range, showcasing his all-around talent.
After his departure from Texas, Baker went on to play for Nevada and Louisiana State University (LSU), continuing his college basketball career and development as a player.
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Will Baker's career at Westlake High School
Will Baker, a native of Austin, Texas, attended Westlake High School, where he excelled on the basketball court. Standing at an impressive 7 feet tall, Baker was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school. He was ranked as a five-star recruit, placing him among the top national players in the 2019 class.
During his time at Westlake High School, Baker showcased his exceptional talent and potential on the court. He was widely regarded as one of the nation's top centers, with his skills and abilities attracting the attention of major college basketball programs across the country. Baker's performance in high school earned him recognition and accolades, solidifying his status as a top-tier recruit.
In November 2018, Baker committed to the University of Texas and joined the Texas Longhorns during a signing ceremony. Baker's decision to choose Texas over other prestigious programs, including UCLA, fulfilled a childhood dream of his, as he had always wanted to play for the Longhorns.
As a freshman at the University of Texas, Baker saw action in 23 games, showcasing his skills and contributing to the team's success. His performance during his freshman year set the tone for his collegiate career, and he continued to develop and refine his game.
However, after a thoughtful decision-making process, Baker ultimately chose to enter the transfer portal in November 2020. He expressed gratitude for his time at Texas, citing the support and encouragement he received from his teammates, coaches, staff, and fans. Baker's decision to transfer was motivated by his desire to maximize his potential and find a new opportunity where he could make a meaningful impact.
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Will Baker's transfer options
Will Baker, the former Westlake High School basketball star, announced his decision to transfer from the University of Texas in November 2020. As a sophomore, Baker was a highly touted recruit, ranked No. 5 in the state, No. 9 among centers, and No. 35 nationally. He cited his desire to maximize his potential and pursue new opportunities as the main reasons for his transfer.
Baker kept his transfer options open and did not initially have a specific university in mind. However, he did express his intention to complete his classes before making his next move. Baker's talent and potential were evident, with Texas head coach Shaka Smart acknowledging his contributions to the team and wishing him well in his future endeavours.
After his decision to transfer from Texas, Baker joined the Nevada Wolf Pack for the Spring 2021 semester. During his redshirt sophomore season (2021-22), Baker played in all 31 games, starting 27. He averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds, with impressive shooting percentages of 54.6% overall and 39.4% from three-point range. Baker continued to showcase his scoring abilities, posting double-digit performances in 15 of 18 Mountain West contests.
For the 2023-24 season, Baker transferred again, this time to LSU, where he played in all 33 games as a graduate student. He averaged 11.0 points and 4.8 rebounds, with a 50.2% field goal percentage and 35.7% from beyond the arc. Baker's single-game highs during his time at LSU included 29 points against Mississippi Valley and 11 rebounds against New Mexico.
Baker's transfer journey demonstrates the fluid nature of college basketball rosters and the pursuit of players to find the best fit for their skills and development. His story also highlights the impact that highly touted recruits can have on different programs as they seek to maximize their potential and contribute to their team's success.
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Frequently asked questions
Baker left the Texas basketball program because he felt he was not maximising his potential at Texas. He said his decision to leave was one of the most difficult and that he loved his time at UT.
After leaving Texas, Baker transferred to Nevada, arriving for the Spring 2021 semester. He then transferred to LSU for the 2023-24 season.
Will Baker is a center.
