Juwan Howard provides update on getting Joey Baker additional eligibility

Michigan transfer guard Joey Baker is pursuing a retroactive redshirt for his freshman season at Duke — when he played in just four games — to allow him one more year playing for the Wolverines. When the subject got broached with head coach Juwan Howard after Michigan beat Toledo, 90-80, in an NIT opener, he had a simple response.

Sitting at his press conference, Howard put his hands together in prayer before offering up a wry smile. While he doesn’t know the ultimate outcome, he said he and his staff will push as much as they can to get Baker another year.

“Hopefully — we’re going to try hard, give it our best shot. We would love to have him back. Not just because of shooting, but overall the person. He just fits in the locker room. The guys enjoy playing with him. He’s now opening up and becoming a better leader,” Howard said.

Baker has been a steady rotational piece for Michigan this year, scoring nearly six points a game off the bench and shooting 40% from 3. He scored a season-high 21 against Toledo on Tuesday.

And as the year has progressed, Howard has seen Baker grow into the aforementioned leadership role on a team chock full of underclassmen. Another year of that stewardship — plus his own contributions on the court — are reason enough for Baker to be a valuable piece to hang on to, as long as the Wolverines can.

“There are times when you’re new, you don’t want to step on anyones toes. It’s hard to have those uncomfortable conversations with guys. Because you want to be liked by them, but at the same time he understands that at the end of big games now and this season, the guys trust him. We need his leadership, and it would be nice to have him back next season,” Howard said.