Boys’ basketball: Standout guard Jemarl Baker is headed to Mater Dei

Santa Ana Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said Thursday that standout guard Jemarl Baker, a Cal commit who played for Eastvale Roosevelt last season, has been accepted and admitted into the school.

Baker, a top three-point shooter, could be the missing piece to elevate Mater Dei back to Open Division prominence for the upcoming season. The Monarchs needed another guard in their lineup.

Mater Dei has been impressive all summer with a surplus of big men. But Baker’s arrival, combined with junior Spencer Freedman, who transferred last season from Santa Monica, gives Mater Dei a top guard duo.

“Everybody tells me he’s an unbelievable player,” McKnight said.

The big question is how will the Southern Section react to the transfer. Baker plays on the same travel team, Earl Watson Elite, as Freedman. Another player on the team is Ira Lee, a former Sierra Canyon player who transferred to Northern California and is likely to return to Southern California.

Update: Baker announced that he will stay at Roosevelt.

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