Profile: Former Golden Bears basketball all-star Jordan Baker

Jordan Baker is one of the most decorated Golden Bears basketball players of all time, the captain of the Edmonton Stingers professional squad, and an assistant coach for the current Golden Bears. In addition to his accolades at the collegiate and professional level, Jordan also competes for one of the 3×3 teams in the country with Tokyo 2020 olympic aspirations. 

The Gateway interviewed Baker on his Edmonton Stingers season, olympic preparations, and being an assistant coach for the University of Alberta Golden Bear Basketball team.

Representing the capital of Alberta, the Edmonton Stingers play in the new Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) which recently finished its first season. The team placed 2nd overall in the regular season and finished their playoff drive after a close loss in the semi-finals to the Saskatchewan Rattlers.

Edmonton Stingers set for championship drive next season

With most of the core team members agreeing to return, Baker hopes the cohesiveness will lead them on a championship drive next season.

“We have an agreement to bring our core back,” Baker said. “But at the end of the day I think some of the guys may have other opportunities come up in the summer, [such as] summer league or NBA opportunities.”

If the Stingers can return their core Baker believes having “cohesiveness heading into season two” will help push the team to the next level. 

Baker has played overseas in Germany, Portugal, and Japan and says the game differs compared to the CEBL. 

“Despite being International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules, you’ve got a lot of high pick and roll,” explained Baker. “A lot of teams want to get the ball out fast in transition, not a lot of offensive structure, just letting the guy’s talent shine through.”

Baker said this lack of offensive structure contrast to more structured, methodical offences played overseas. He elaborated that the North American style is “perfect for a summer league [because] it leads to the most high scoring games which is what the crowd wants to see.”

CEBL helps growth of Canadian basketball, says Baker

Baker said the CEBL has assisted in the growth of Canadian basketball as a whole. According to him, there are a few ways the success of the league can be enhanced. 

“I think the CEBL did a great job as a first year league getting out and getting guys involved in the Edmonton community,” he said. “[It’s key] to keep building those connections [to] improve the amount of people coming out to games and the amount of media attention [the Stingers get].”

Another thing Baker highlighted is that he would like to see more partnerships with some Edmonton businesses in order “to really see the city get behind our players.”

“You look at a team like the Oilers, and the way they’ve got things run,” Baker said. “Obviously that’s a whole different scale, but I think the model is there to piggy back and steal some ideas.”

“Exciting time” for Canadian basketball

It is an exciting time for Canadian basketball: the CEBL has been founded, we are producing several NBA lottery picks, and are gaining 3×3 momentum internationally. However, the majority of Canadian talent on the big stage seemingly comes out of southern Ontario, with some exceptions. Baker offered a few opinions on why this is the case. 

“Obviously population helps, Ontario has many people squeezed into that small area,” he said. This results in “a bunch of talented guys getting to compete against each other day in and day out.”

Baker said the largest challenge facing basketball in Alberta is distance. Logistically, competing consistently is a challenge. He recommended the necessity for centralized training centres, such as Edge Prep in Calgary to get players together.

3×3 basketball has gained international momentum recently — enough where it is a new sport at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Baker competes with five other athletes for Team Edmonton, and they hope to make a push to represent Canada in 2020. 

“We need to play in as many tournaments as we can, and accumulate as many 3×3 world tour points as we can to try to put ourselves in a good spot to number one,” he said.

“We’ve made a very strong case that we should be the ones they should be sending to represent Canada,” explained Baker.

This Golden Bears season is the one to make a run for nationals, says Baker

Finally, Baker works as an assistant coach for the Golden Bears basketball team. He said the team has a “big year” ahead.

“We’ve got a tremendous group of veterans with six guys either in their fourth or fifth year and will play significant minutes for us,” he said. “So, if there was ever a time to make a run at a national championship this is it.”

“We have some great leaders, and a first team All-Canadian in Brody Clarke who’s going to draw a lot of attention from other teams. We’re expecting a big year for him.”

Baker assures fans that they are in for a stellar season.

“There will be a lot of wins at Saville this year,” he said. “[Hopefully] the Edmonton basketball community will come out to support in full force.”