STINGRAY STAR FLIES HOME FOR AILING UNCLE
A DYING uncle has inspired Cam Baker to produce some exhilarating basketball for the Corio Bay Stingrays this season.
But Saturday will be his last game as the American import prepares to return home to be by his bedside.
Four rounds into the Big V State Championship men’s season, the firstyear Stingray received news his uncle had been diagnosed with cancer.
“Everything was fine when I got here, basketball and family wise,” Baker said.
“Then about the fourth game into the season I got a call from back home and they said my uncle had got cancer and they were only going to give him four to five months to live.
“That’s really what’s making me go home so quick, because I want to make sure I can at least see him or spend some time with him.”
Baker’s father worked in the military, and his uncle played a big part in raising Baker.
“Me and my uncle are very, very close,” he said.
“My dad was in the military and he took off to go overseas, my uncle helped raise me and looked after me while my dad was gone. He played a big part in my life, that’s why it’s important I make sure I get back home to see him.
“One game, we had an away game and he had a stroke, and they called and texted me right before the game and in the middle of the game I broke down in tears. It’s been quite hard to deal with and I’ve tried to show it doesn’t bother me, but deep down it gets to me every day.”
The point guard ranks fourth in the competition for average points (23.22 a game) and fifth for total turnovers (31) from nine games this season.
Baker said he used the news to help him play the best basketball he could, inspired to make his uncle proud.
“It drives me to play aggressive, because when he was looking after me when I started playing ball in high school and in college, he always stayed on top of me about my game,” he said.
“So I tried to put in my mind that I’m going out here to play for him and make sure he sees I’m doing good and playing as well as I can.”
The Stingrays will release Baker from his contract after Saturday’s home game against Whittlesea Pacers.
The club will celebrate Pink round for its triple header at the Geelong Basketball Netball Centre in support of breast cancer.
“They were very understanding about the situation and didn’t give me any hard time about making a decision, I really appreciate that,” Baker said of the Stingrays.
“I just want to thank coach Tim (O’Leary), coach Paul (Reynolds), the Stingrays, the organisation for giving me the opportunity to come out here and play, and the fans for keeping me excited and happy while I was out on the court with all the, ‘oohs and aahs’.
“It’s been a fun experience and a welcoming experience as well to come out here to Australia.”
Baker will not return this season, but hopes to be back in the future.
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