NEW YORK (Feb. 15, 2022) ---  Geo Baker of Rutgers has been named Division I Men’s Player of the Week by the Met Basketball Writers Association.
 
The designation, for games played Feb. 7-13, is unique in that it encompasses players from 21 Met area Division I schools.
 
Baker’s selection represents the third player and fourth time this season a Scarlet Knight has been named MBWA Player of the Week. Previously, Ron Harper Jr. (Dec. 14, Jan. 11) and Paul Mulcahy (Feb. 8) were similarly honored.
 
A 6-4 senior guard from Derr, NH, Baker --- who also was named the Big 10 Conference co-player of the week --- led Rutgers (15-9) to victories over a pair of top-ranked teams. The Scarlet Knights edged No. 16 Ohio State 66-64 at home, then took to the road to defeat No. 14 Wisconsin 73-65.
 
Baker had a game-high 25 points, tying for his second-highest output this season, in the win over Ohio State. He was 9-of-14 from the field, sunk all four of his free throws, had six assists with zero turnovers, and a pair of blocks.
 
In the game, Baker made his way past Roy Hinson (1,525 points) for 11th place all-time at RU in points.
 
In the road win over Wisconsin, Baker carried RU early, scoring all 16 of his points in the first half. He was (5-of-12) from the field, knocked down a pair of threes, added four free throws and had three assists.
 
With his 16 points, Baker --- who now has 1,550 career points --- joined Rutgers’ Eddie Jordan as the only two players in program history to reach 1,550-plus points, 450-plus assists, 350-plus rebounds and 150-plus steals.
 
The Scarlet Knights now have four wins over ranked Big Ten teams in the same season for the first time in program history, having earlier beaten then No. 1 ranked Purdue and No. 13 Michigan State.
 
Players receiving MBWA Division I Honorable Mention for the week: Aaron Estrada, Hofstra; Tykei Greene, Stony Brook; Jao Ituka, Marist; Elijah Joiner, Iona.