Rutgers’ Geo Baker looking to continue progress with upcoming NIL project
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (BVM) – Throughout his time at Rutgers, Geo Baker has always been at the forefront of change for student-athletes. Now that his time on the court has officially come to the end, he isn’t willing to put a stop to the work he’s been so invested in.
Following an end to his basketball career at Rutgers this past March, Geo Baker made an announcement on his social media that he would continue to help collegiate athletes navigate the waters of the new Name, Image and Likeness policy. With his goal of helping out Rutgers’ athletes, Baker teamed up with Eric LeGrand, a former Scarlet Knights football player who was left paralyzed from the neck down after a game against Army in 2010.
“…Everything that I’ve learned has brought me to this point and I’m excited for this new journey,” Baker shared on his social media accounts. “Although basketball is no longer the love of my life, the teachings have remained and I’ll use them for my new passion. I’m officially announcing the creation of The Knight Society LLC. I’ve partnered up with Eric LeGrand and others to make this dream a reality. We have two main goals: To support, build, and connect the Rutgers community in a new and unique way. And to provide NIL opportunities for Rutgers athletes for as long as our company is withstanding.”
I was one of the main advocates before NIL became a reality. It’s only right that I bring my passion to the school that has supported me through it all.
Rutgers will be the strongest community in college athletics. Go follow @KnightSociety_ and check out our website ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/2p2gW2F1J5
— Geo Baker (@Geo_Baker_1) May 25, 2022
Baker has headed the initiative throughout his time with the program, once apart of the trio of college basketball players that met with NCAA President Mark Emmert to discuss their #NotNCAAProperty movement which defended college athletes’ rights and raised awareness for what they saw as unfair treatment of college athletes. The “Knight Society” is set to provide Rutgers athletes with “unparalleled access to their Rutgers sports idols, incredible networking, and promotional opportunities within the Rutgers ecosystem.”
The former Scarlet Knights’ star guard will join a host of former athletes and coaches who have come in to help their schools during the changing environment of NIL. Recently, Ohio State has brought in Cardale Jones and Urban Meyer to help aid Buckeyes athletes. Jones ushered in an NIL fund for Ohio State students that is currently the biggest NIL fund in the country according to 247 Sports.
With the announcement that his basketball career is coming to an end, Baker will end with his last games being played at the Jersey Mike’s Arena. The Scarlet Knights’ star guard helped change the direction of the program after Rutgers hadn’t made a tournament appearance since the early 1990s. During his final two seasons, Baker helped lead the program to back-to-back NCAA tournament runs. He closed with 1,654 points and 496 assists throughout his five years with the team.
With a chance to crack an NBA or G-League team still available with the upcoming draft, Baker will be giving up his opportunity on the court to focus on the newly-released project.
