Ron Baker (basketball) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ron Baker

Baker in 2019
Personal information
Born	(1993-03-30) March 30, 1993 (age 32) Hays, Kansas, U.S.
High school	Scott City (Scott City, Kansas)
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College	Wichita State (2012–2016)
NBA Draft	2016 / Undrafted
Pro career	2016–2020
Career history
2016–2018	New York Knicks
2016–2017	→Westchester Knicks
2018–2019	Washington Wizards
2019–2020	CSKA Moscow
Career highlights and awards
3× First-team All-MVC (2014–2016) AP honorable mention All-American (2015)
Medals Representing the  United States Pan American Games Bronze 2015 Toronto National team

Ronald Delaine Baker (born March 30, 1993) is a former American professional basketball player. He is best known for playing college basketball for the Wichita State Shockers. Even though he was not chosen in the 2016 NBA draft, he played for three seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards.

Early Life and Love for Basketball

Ron Baker was born in Hays, Kansas, and grew up in the small farm town of Utica, Kansas. He loved basketball from a very young age. He once remembered, "I have memories of when I was very, very little, holding a basketball in my dog's doghouse."

His father said that Ron chose basketball because it was practical. It was easier to get a few friends together for a basketball game than to find enough players for a baseball team.

High School Career

Becoming a Star

Baker became a star player at Scott Community High School. He dreamed of playing for the Kansas Jayhawks, the top college team in his state. However, he was not very tall at first. By his junior year, he was only 6 feet tall, and only two major colleges showed interest in him.

But during the summer before his senior year, he had a growth spurt and grew to 6 feet 3 inches.

State Championship Hero

In his senior year, Baker led his team to an amazing 25–1 record. He was named to the 3A First-Team All-State in Kansas. The most exciting moment of his high school career was winning the state championship. He scored the winning basket right as the buzzer sounded, finishing the game with 26 points. This was the first time his school had ever won the Class 3A championship.

Despite his success, most big college coaches didn't know who he was. An ESPN article noted that he was "Not Ranked" and was almost completely off the recruiting radar.

College Career at Wichita State

Baker as a redshirt freshman in 2012–13 (left) and as a junior in 2014–15 (right).

Baker decided to play for the Wichita State Shockers. He chose to "redshirt" his first year. This meant he practiced with the team but didn't play in games, which gave him an extra year to develop his skills.

Freshman Year and Final Four Run

In his first season of playing, Baker suffered a foot injury and only played in 18 games. However, he returned to play a big role in the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The Shockers made a surprise run to the semifinals, known as the Final Four. Baker was a key player, scoring 16 points in a big win over the #1 ranked Gonzaga team.

Leading an Undefeated Team

By the next season, Baker was known as one of the best shooters in his conference. Along with teammates Cleanthony Early and Fred VanVleet, he led the Shockers to a perfect regular season. They were the first team in over 20 years to enter the NCAA tournament without a single loss.

For his great performance, Baker was named to the All-Conference First Team. After a tough loss in the tournament, a player from the other team, Aaron Harrison, told him, "You are a bad, bad, bad boy," which was a compliment to his skill.

College Success and Awards

During his time at Wichita State, Baker helped his team win three conference championships and make two trips to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. As a senior, he averaged 14.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He was named a Second Team All-American, recognizing him as one of the top college players in the country.

Professional Career

New York Knicks (2016–2018)

Baker guards John Wall of the Washington Wizards in 2017

After college, Baker was not selected in the 2016 NBA draft. However, he played well in the NBA Summer League and earned a contract with the New York Knicks. He made his NBA debut on October 25, 2016.

Baker quickly became a fan favorite in New York. On December 15, 2016, he scored a career-high 13 points. During his time with the Knicks, he also played for their development team, the Westchester Knicks, in the NBA G League.

His time with the Knicks was affected by injuries. In 2018, he broke a bone in his face and later needed shoulder surgery, which ended his season early. The Knicks released him in December 2018.

Washington Wizards (2018–2019)

Just a week after leaving the Knicks, Baker signed with the Washington Wizards. He played in four games for the Wizards before the team released him in January 2019.

CSKA Moscow (2019–2020)

In August 2019, Baker moved to Russia to play for CSKA Moscow, a top team in Europe. He played in 27 games in the EuroLeague, Europe's top basketball competition. He left the team in May 2020.

National Team Career

In 2015, Baker played for the United States national team at the Pan American Games. He helped the team win a bronze medal.

Life After Basketball

In May 2021, Baker announced that he had retired from playing professional basketball. After having hip surgery, he decided he was ready to start a new chapter in his life.

He is still involved in basketball as the general manager for the AfterShocks, a team of former Wichita State players that competes in The Basketball Tournament. In August 2021, Baker started a new career as a project manager at a medical center in Wichita, Kansas.

Personal Life

Baker is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. In 2016, he wrote a children's book called You're Too Big to Dream Small. The book is based on his own life story and encourages kids to follow their dreams.

Ron Baker married Liv Nielsen in 2023. They welcomed their first child, a daughter, in February 2024.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

College

See also

In Spanish: Ron Baker para niños