‘She’s relentless’: How Drexel’s Amaris Baker became the CAA’s leading scorer

Like a tourist attraction drawing every gaze from defenders, coaches and fans, Amaris Baker is the center of attention with or without the ball in her hands. The 5’8 senior guard for Drexel University crashes off defenders like bumper cars, bouncing through the chaos with unstoppable energy. She zips like a gazelle from side to side and in and out of traffic, making opponents dizzy trying to keep pace.

Baker pops off screens and sinks 3-pointers, as she did against Towson on Sunday the second time she touched the ball. She races to the basket and finishes through contact. She also masterfully draws contact, like she did when attempting a layup and moving her left arm into a position where the defender had no choice but to foul her.

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She’s quick to the ball, like she displayed in the third quarter when she missed a short jumper, raced in for the offensive rebound, and released it in one motion for a layup off the glass. Baker then scored five points in 33 seconds in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer and a hard-driving layup.

Baker, an elite three-level scorer, has also mastered a stepback jumper and a floater, making it challenging for anybody to stop her.

Yet, for Baker, scoring and playing the game is so much easier than being forced to describe how she’s blossomed into the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)’s leading scorer despite facing defenses that are designed to limit her. She’s double-teamed, sometimes triple-teamed. She is guarded by different defenders during games and has seen box-and-ones, triangle-and-twos and every junk defense out there.

“I know that I will be double-teamed, maybe even tripled, and even held at times,” Baker told reporters after the 53-49 victory over Towson on Sunday inside the cozy Daskalakis Athletic Center. “I am just doing my best to keep my hands up and have the ref see it, but even if they’re bodying me, I just go backdoor and read the defense.

“As a basketball player, that’s what you want to do. You just read the defense. You never want to fight it.”

The “Daskalakis Dynamo” is averaging 18.7 points per game overall, which ranks 42nd nationally, and 19.1 points per game in 10 home games. She has scored in double figures in 15 consecutive contests and scored 20 or more points nine times.

Baker’s journey to leading the CAA in scoring included a year at Harcum Junior College, where she averaged 27.0 points per game to lead the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II in scoring two years ago. This was after Baker endured a challenging freshman year at Kennesaw State in which she averaged 3.0 points in 28 games.

Now, with a soulful game as smooth as a Jill Scott tune and as effortless as an Eve rhythmic hook, the Philadelphia native doesn’t get flustered. Because of her stoic demeanor, one would never know if she’d missed 20 shots in a row or made 20 straight.

When she’s on — like when she scored a career-high 33 points against North Carolina A&T on Jan. 17 — Baker looks like she’s just tossing coins into a fountain. However, beneath her calm exterior is a fierce competitive spirit. That was unleashed against Hampton on Jan. 19, when she scored Drexel’s final 12 points, including the game-winner with three seconds remaining.

Thanks to her patience, trust and faith, Baker continues to look for ways to impact the game beyond scoring, including consistently encouraging her teammates.

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Positive outcomes have come from her hard work, dedication and mental preparation. She plays the game with full intensity, like it could always be her last play. Even though the reigning CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player knew entering this season that she would be counted on more this season, Baker has let the game come to her.

Baker is the type of player who will flash a smile while selling you Girl Scout cookies, snatch them back, drop 20 points on you and graciously share the cookies afterward.

“One thing I love about Amaris is she’s relentless, and that’s in every aspect: as a player on the floor, off the court with her work ethic and what she’s doing,” Drexel head coach Amy Mallon told reporters after the Towson game. “Learning patience and to execute within what we’re doing is now allowing so many other windows to open for her.

“She’s seeing more things and has more opportunities to score. I think you see that game in, game out, and she now has the job of being the leading scorer on our team. … She’s doing such a nice job staying patient, and then her demeanor doesn’t change, which I love because when you see someone sweat, you know you have them. She’s continuing to grow, and I’m just impressed with what I see. I’m excited that it’s going to continue to get better.”

Baker is rising to the challenge this season. Her usage rate is 29.4%, up from 21.6% last year, meaning that more Drexel possessions are ending with the ball in her hands. In addition, her assist rate is 13.3% this season, up from 10.8% last year. According to Synergy, 59.1% of Baker’s shots this season have been catch-and-shoot, and she’s shooting 48.4% when left unguarded on those chances, like her first 3-pointer against Towson.

Baker is also lethal around the rim, as she’s shooting 59.3% (70-for-118), according to Synergy. Her runner has been a nice weapon, too, even though she’s shooting 42.9% (9-for-21) on that shot. Raised in hot and sweaty gyms all over the city, she embraces the opportunities she has in leading Drexel this season.

“Basketball is a physical game,” Baker said. “I love that about basketball — the physicality. But a lot of it’s running. You have to stay mentally tough throughout as well. … I keep a straight demeanor. You never want to show any emotion. I’ve always been that type of person. Basketball is a game of runs, so go out there and give your all.”

Baker spent her summer mornings running and getting in shape for this season’s increased responsibility. She studies film like a movie critic, so she can analyze the nuances of her footwork, body position when she catches the ball, and space between her and her defender. Baker also watches as much other basketball as possible when her schedule allows.

However, the secret Baker finally revealed about her excellent season is a solid pregame routine, especially for night games: morning shooting, ice baths, pregame shootaround, showering, and positive mental preparation that includes prayer and music.

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Everything is falling into place this season for Baker, a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan. With Drexel hosting UNC Wilmington on Sunday at 1 p.m., an hour earlier than usual, she’ll enjoy the Super Bowl afterward, making life feel downright charmed. She doesn’t have to worry about being on a bus, at an airport or in the air during the Chiefs-Eagles game. She will have plenty of time to prepare.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have won five straight games since starting conference play 1-2 with road losses to Hofstra and North Carolina A&T. In the win over Towson, Drexel played the entire second quarter without Baker, who was in early foul trouble.

Her teammates shined. Forward Chloe Hodges finished with 16 points, and guard Grace O’Neill dished 10 assists. Overall, Drexel had 16 assists on 20 baskets against Towson. The 27 minutes Baker played against Towson were the fewest in a game all season for the CAA’s leader in minutes per game, and that bolstered the rest of the Dragons.

While Baker has averaged 19.8 points per game during Drexel’s winning streak, she’s been prouder of the Dragons’ defense. Drexel has held five consecutive teams below 60 points and its last three under 50 points. With nine conference games remaining, Drexel is one game behind first-place North Carolina A&T.

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Drexel’s success has helped Baker earn plenty of recognition. On Jan. 28, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association named her as one of its five national players of the week. Baker was also named the CAA Player of the Week and Philadelphia Women’s Basketball Big 5 Player of the Week.

But Baker has never been about awards. Scoring in double figures 40 times in her career, including topping 20 points 13 times, isn’t that important to her. She gets more pride from the work behind the scenes to become the best player possible. She also enjoys the moments with her teammates and having fun.

“I’ve just been staying the course,” Baker said. “I am a religious person. I believe in God’s timing. It’s a lot of prayers and putting the work in as well. I don’t want to think about it like I am the leading scorer. My thinking is to go out there, work hard and let’s win as a team. I’m just building from that. …

“I’ve always been mentally free but locked in a way. [Let] the game come to me and the rest will follow. The games will be tough, but I’m prepared for anything. My teammates are prepared for anything. We’re all prepared for anything. So we’re just remaining confident.”