Hokie Spotlight: Carys Baker

BLACKSBURG – Hailing from West Hartford, Connecticut, forward Carys Baker has been a consistent source of strength for the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team this season. The true sophomore’s ability to contribute on both sides of the ball has been key in the success of the team that currently stands at 13-5 (4-3 ACC). As play continues into the new year, Baker’s increased workload on the court (32.8 minutes/game) is evidence that the 6-foot-2 standout is finding a rhythm with the Hokies this winter.  

Baker first started her basketball career at Loomis Chaffee High School in Windsor, Connecticut. The forward played five years with the Pelicans, bringing the team to a NEPSAC Class A championship win in 2021-22 with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the 53-38 victory. After a successful high school career, Baker would leave the Pelicans as the overall No. 58 ranked player in the nation according to 2023 ESPN HoopGurlz. Baker also played club basketball for Team Exodus in the New York City Elite Youth Basketball League under head coach Thomas Davis before eventually landing in Blacksburg. 

In her first year with the Hokies, Baker was utilized in many different scenarios throughout the season. The then-true freshman would average 3.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game averaging 11.7 minutes off the bench, seeing game action in all 33 contests during the year. A bulk of Baker’s points were tallied from beyond the arc, registering the team’s third-highest percentage from three (38.2%). Baker would also reach double digits in a pair of contests, achieving a season-high 18 points (4-6 3PM) against NIU on Dec. 6, 2023, and 13 points against William and Mary on Dec. 21.  

Entering her second season as a Hokie, Baker had the chance to emerge as a threat on both sides of the ball. At ACC Tipoff in October, first-year head coach Megan Duffy spoke on the multitalented true sophomore group this season, comprised of Baker and Charlotte, North Carolina native Samyha Suffren. 

“[They both] have a year of college basketball experience,” said Duffy. “To put them in new roles, they’re versatile...that will be the key to our success, how quickly we can develop our players.” 

Through eighteen games in her current campaign, Baker has been dynamic in a number of different ways on offense. Starting in every contest this season, the true sophomore averages 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while doing so on 46.1% shooting from the field. Additionally, Baker’s 24 made triples on 34.3% shooting ranks sixth on the team, exemplifying her ability to contribute beyond the arc as she did in her first year as a Hokie.  

What makes Baker such an impressive player is her in-game effort. Averaging 32.8 minutes per game this season, the 6-foot-2 playmaker leads the team with 590 minutes this season, teammate Matilda Ekh the next closest at 525. Baker has also played 35+ minutes in eight of 18 matchups this year, including a herculean 48-minute performance in the thrilling double-overtime victory against then-No. 13 Georgia Tech on Jan. 9.  

After a pair of upcoming road games against Pittsburgh and N.C. State, the Hokies will return home to face Notre Dame on Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. ET. Be sure to secure your tickets to see Baker and the Hokies battle the Irish on Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum!