• Golden Bears Basketball forward (2009-2014)
• 2-time Canada West Champion (2012, 2014)
• 2014 Wilson Challenge Trophy Winner
• 2010 UofA Male Rookie of the Year
• 2014 CIS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian
• 2014 Canada West Player of the Year
• 2010 Canada West Rookie of the Year
• Five-time Academic All-Canadian (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• Three-time CW All-Star (2011, 2012, 2014)
• Two-time CIS All-Canadian (2012, 2014)
• CIS Silver & Bronze medals
• Finished career as Bears all-time leader in points, field goals, free throw attempts, rebounds, steals, assists, games started, minutes played, and double-doubles

There are few athletes who reach, let alone exceed, the highest of expectations set on them. Either through genetics, physical makeup, or circumstances out of their control. ‘Prodigy’ or ‘the next great one’ get thrown around too often. 

Remarkably, Jordan Baker, ‘13 BCom, ‘17 MA, was one such athlete who eclipsed even the loftiest of expectations. The son of two U of A Sports Wall of Fame inductees in Trix and Doug Baker, it seemed a sure thing that Jordan would be the next great Baker. The next great student-athlete. And somehow, Jordan surpassed it all.

By any measure one would use, it would be easy to argue Baker is one of the best, if not the best Bears Basketball player in program history. Individual statistics, academic excellence, leadership, community impact, post-graduation success. He checks all those boxes and more. 

Only the elite student-athletes are able to set program records at the University of Alberta. Golden Bears Basketball itself dates back to 1910. To break even one record, you are in elite company. In five years as a Golden Bear, Baker set TEN. All-time points, assists, rebounds, field goals, free throw attempts, rebounds per game, steals, games started, minutes played, and double-doubles. It’s almost impossible to comprehend the level of brilliance it took on the court to accomplish what he did.

“I do not make the claim lightly that Jordan’s career and contributions to Bears Basketball could
be considered among the most successful and influential of all time,” said former Bears head coach Barnaby Craddock, who coached Baker for two seasons. “Jordan has had a truly remarkable athletic career filled with tremendous accomplishments and a consistent level of athletic excellence. He has done it with class and represented the University of Alberta in a shining light locally and around the world.”

A two-sport athlete at Harry Ainlay High School in Edmonton, Baker joined the Golden Bears in 2009. His impact was immediate. He was named the Canada West and University of Alberta Rookie of the Year. He averaged 13.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game as an 18-year old. It was a glimpse at his potential, and a warning to the rest of Canada; this guy is different. 

His sophomore season saw the Bears increase their wins by six, make the Canada West semifinal, and firmly enter the conversation for best teams in CIS. Baker averaged a double-double, and earned the first of his three conference all-star selections. 

2011/12 saw Baker set career-highs in scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks. He led the Bears to their first conference title in seven years, and their first national final in over a decade. He was the anchor, the star of a tremendously talented and deep Golden Bears team. 

After an injury shortened 2012/13 season, Baker’s pièce de résistance came as a fifth-year athlete in 2013/14. 

A second Canada West title. A CIS bronze medal and Tournament All-Star selection. He was named the Canada West MVP. The University of Alberta’s Male Athlete of the Year, and Top Academic All-Canadian. He was a CIS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian. Leadership, athletic brilliance, and academic excellence. It would be hard to find another season by any student-athlete in school history that reached this peak. 

Following his varsity career, Baker saw success as a professional that spanned seven years and three continents. He played in Germany, Portugal and Japan. He was an early star of the newly formed Canadian Elite Basketball League, being named the Canadian Player of the Year in 2020, and leading his hometown Edmonton Stingers to championships in 2020 and 2021. 

After nearly three decades of athletic success, Baker hung up the sneakers and transitioned into coaching in 2022.

The epitome of what it means to be a Golden Bear, the University of Alberta is proud to add Jordan Baker’s name to the Sports Wall of Fame.