Antwain Barbour

VISITED CAMPUS Oct 7th SIGNED WITH KENTUCKY

11/15:
http://www.courier-journal.com/cjsports/news2001/ 11/15/sp111501s105526.htm
(FIX LINK)

11/14/01: Antwain's mother: "You got that right," Thomas said with a laugh. "That was the last place he was going. Coach Spoon didn’t know that, but I knew that. They were trying to get him out there but he wasn’t going that far. He was going to Louisville or Kentucky if he wants me at his games because I’ve still got to come back and go to work." - Rebel Net

11/12/01: "Antwan should be a great college player, but Jerome Harper has more NBA teams after him. Jerome is about an inch and a half taller than Antwan and has much better all around skills, able to play both guard spots, plus small forward and can defend well. I was at the NJCAA Tournament last year and although Barbour stood out, he didn't look like he was as big of a draft prospect as Jerome is. Antwan isn't a true 6-5 either, closer to 6-3 1/2, which is obviously bad in the eyes of NBA scouts, which is why Joe Forte fell so far, when most fans thought he was a lock for the lottery. The same thing is expected to happen for Antwan. Antwan should have better stats and be counted on more to score than Jerome, but that doens't make him a better NBA prospect. Although it will be close, as both are great ball players. At Kentucky, Antwan's big scoring ability will likely drop a lot." - John Thompson, NBA Draft Report

10/14: "Junior-college star Antwain Barbour said that he will put his name in the NBA Draft next spring if he is projected as a top-10 pick.
UK has reason to believe that Barbour will not gain such status, and thus will play for the Cats at least one season. At 6-foot-5, Barbour might not be tall enough to rate an early first-round pick by the height-happy NBA. Of the first 20 picks in this year's NBA Draft, 17 were 6-8 or taller (10 were 6-10 or taller)." - Kentucky H-L

10/11: "Former Elizabethtown High School basketball star Antwain Barbour cited several factors behind his announced commitment to Kentucky yesterday. The first he mentioned was UK's recruiting effort, which he lauded as long-lasting and persistent. ``They were there for me the whole two years I was here,'' Barbour said from Wabash Valley Community College, where he's preparing for his sophomore season. ``And in high school. They stuck by me the whole time.'' UK's early recruiting effort made a deep impression, Barbour said, ``because they were the only school really recruiting me out of high school, Division I-wise." Barbour burst on to the basketball scene as a senior, leading Elizabethtown to the state championship and being named Most Valuable Player of the Sweet Sixteen." - Lex Herald

10/10: "Kentucky won its most significant recruiting battle of the year today, when the nation's top juco sophomore -- Antwain Barbour -- announced for the Wildcats. Barbour, a 6-5 WG/WF/PG at Wabash (IL) JC, chose UK over UNLV, Cincinnati and Indiana. It wasn't easy; UNLV assistant Jay Spoonhour was the head coach at Wabash last season, and the Bearcats and Hoosiers also made strong pitches." - PrepStars

10/10: Former Kentucky high school All-Star Antwain Barbour has scheduled a news conference for this afternoon at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill., to announce where he will play his final two seasons of college basketball. Although Wabash Valley coach Mark Nelson declined to say where Barbour is heading, early signs point to the University of Kentucky." - Louisville C-J

10/9: "Antwain Barbour, a talented 6-5, 190 pound shooting guard from Wabash Valley J.C. in Mt. Carmel, Ill., is expected to announce his school of choice tomorrow. Barbour had not yet called any of the coaches involved in the recruiting process, according to his coach, Mark Nelson. Nelson told JUCO Junction this week that Barbour is considering Indiana, CINCINNATI, Kentucky, and UNLV." - Rivals Hoops

10/9: "The junior-college coach of highly regarded basketball recruit Antwain Barbour said Monday that Barbour will definitely announce his college choice Wednesday and that he's still open to any of the four schools on his final list, including the University of CINCINNATI and the University of Kentucky. Barbour, a 6-foot-5 swingman, visited UC last weekend in his final official visit, coming to the Clifton campus a week earlier than he had originally planned. He also has made visits to UK, UNLV and Indiana. Mark Nelson, Barbour's coach at Wabash Valley Col lege in Mount Carmel, Ill., said the swingman's visit to UC went well and that Barbour is weighing the pros and cons of each school. Nelson added that Barbour will discuss the decision in depth with his mother before deciding. It's believed UK and UNLV are the two schools he is considering the most because he has specific ties with each. Barbour is a native of Elizabethtown, Ky., and led Elizabethtown High School to the 2000 Kentucky state championship. Also, his coach at Wabash Valley last season, Jay Spoonhour, is now an assistant at UNLV to his father, Charlie Spoonhour. Nelson said each of the four schools on the list offer something different for Barbour to consider. "They all have their advantages," he said. "You can pull out his relationship with Spoon or him being from Kentucky, but there's a definite need for him in Cincinnati and he really likes Coach (Mike) Davis at Indiana." Barbour has said playing time will be a major consideration for him, which could hurt UK and Indiana. UK has a plethora of shooting guards on its roster, specifically sophomore Gerald Fitch and fresh men Rashaad Carruth and Josh Carrier. Indiana recently got a commitment from Bracey Wright. UC loses shooting guard Steve Logan to graduation after this season, while UNLV will also have an opening at that position. Nelson said playing time is a concern for Barbour, but it isn't the only thing that will determine where he goes. "If it was straight playing time he would go to another lower level team that can guarantee him as many minutes as he wants," Nelson said. ''He wants a team with a tradition and that's going to win, too, which is why he likes all four of these schools, and also a chance where he can develop best to play at the next level." Barbour may also still declare for the NBA draft this spring." - Cincy Post.com (changed to 6-3 and a "4", from a 5)

10/8: "Junior-college guard/forward Antwain Barbour made his official visit to Cincinnati a week earlier than planned because he wants to get the recruiting process “out of the way." The Wabash Valley College star said he might announce his choice Wednesday or Thursday. It is among UC, Kentucky, Indiana and UNLV. "I've just got to go talk it over with my mom and coaches,” he said." - Enquirer.com

10/7: Barbour was on Cincinnati's campus today.

10/6: "Antwain Barbour, one of the top-rated junior-college players in the country, is scheduled to begin his official recruiting visit to the University of Cincinnati today, his coach, Mark Nelson, said Friday. Barbour is a 6-foot-5 guard/forward from Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill. He is a Kentucky native who some recruiting experts believe will end up at Kentucky, UNLV or the NBA. He already has visited UK, Indiana and UNLV. His former coach at Wabash, Jay Spoonhour, is an assistant for his father, Charlie Spoonhour, the Runnin' Rebels' new coach. “He's wide open,” Nelson said of Barbour. “He wants to play, be in a good program and be around pretty good people. Typical stuff.” Also on UC's campus today: Chadd Moore, a guard from Huntsville, Ala., who orally committed to UC in August after an unofficial visit. Barbour, MVP of the national junior-college tournament last spring, is expected to sign a national letter of intent in November." - Enquirer.com

10/2: "Former Elizabethtown High School star Antwain Barbour intends to sign with a college in November, his junior college coach said yesterday. Barbour will consider a direct jump to the NBA in the spring, Wabash Valley Community College Coach Mark Nelson said. But, anticipating the more likely path for his basketball future, Barbour will choose from the four finalists on his list of colleges: Kentucky, Cincinnati, Indiana and UNLV. The choice will be made in early November, Nelson said. Barbour, the most valuable player in the national junior college tournament last spring, first wants to make official visits to the four schools. He visited UK and UNLV early last month. He visited Indiana last weekend. He plans to visit Cincinnati on the weekend of Oct. 13-14. Barbour enjoyed the three visits he's made, Nelson said. Several recruiting analysts consider UK as the school to beat. Nelson declined to endorse that analysis. He said each of the finalists had a factor in its favor: UNLV assistant coach Jay Spoonhour coached Barbour at Wabash Valley last season and enjoys a close relationship with the player. "Tubby Smith and his program at Kentucky speak for themselves," Nelson said. Indiana's Mike Davis is "a player's coach," Nelson said, and the Hoosiers expect to be a national contender. Barbour likes the Cincinnati players and knows of the program's past success with junior college players." - Lexington Herald

10/1: "I just heard (the visit to Indiana) went very well. At least in Bloomington they feel they have an excellent chance here. We are at least in the top 3 now and should not be discounted at all. Of the three coaches recruiting Antwain, Coach Davis probably relates the best and there is a real feeling of optimism here." - Peegs

10/1/01: "With two recruits already verbally committed to sign with the University of Kentucky basketball team in November, coach Tubby Smith is patiently waiting for the expected jewel of his next recruiting class -- Antwain Barbour. However, remaining patient is becoming more and more difficult because of Barber's willingness to continue listening to other coaches. The Wildcats got an official visit from the 6-5 forward-guard last month and from all indications, everything went well. Barbour liked the campus, players and coaches. His mother likes everything about Smith and the way he runs his program. Plus, Kentucky is close to his home in Elizabethtown, something that would make it convenient for his family to see him play. Some speculated that Barbour may have even secretly committed to UK during that visit. Canadian center Bernard Cote visited the same weekend and did verbally commit two days later. But there's no reason to believe that Barbour, who plays at Wabash Valley Junior College in Illinois, did the same. Instead, he's taken a visit to Nevada-Las Vegas that he evidently enjoyed based on comments he made to Rebel Net, a website devoted to UNLV athletics. "When I look at UNLV and Kentucky, both have great traditions," Barbour told Rebel Net. "But it is going to be tough to make a choice because there are a lot of similarities between the programs. UNLV is going to be a good team. Coach (Charlie) Spoonhour has really been getting this thing going. Right now he has a lot of talent on the floor. But Kentucky is always good. It's going to be a really hard decision." Yet based on Barbour's desire to play for a national champion and UK's likely need for a marquee player once Tayshaun Prince graduates, Barber would have seemed to clearly leave UK as his No. 1 choice. Even though UNLV assistant Jay Spoonhour coached Barbour at Wabash Valley last year and Barbour played against current UNLV junior Marcus Banks last season, the Cats still looked to be a solid No. 1 after his visit to Las Vegas. Then Barbour did the unexpected last week. He scheduled an unofficial visit to Indiana, a team that he had barely mentioned during his recruitment. He also continues to indicate he'll set up a visit to CINCINNATI, another team that considers Barbour a priority recruit. Louisville had been recruiting Barbour as hard as anyone before coach Rick Pitino apparently decided if a verbal commitment was not imminent, he would spend his time pursuing other players. Smith won't do that. He can't. Kentucky was the first Division I school to offer Barbour a scholarship when he led Elizabethtown to the 2000 state high school championship. If he had met freshman academic eligibility requirements, he would have been at UK last year. Instead, he went to Wabash Valley, helped that team win a national junior college championship and even made the USA team that played in the World University Games in China last summer. His play last season was so impressive that he's already been mentioned as a possible high first-round NBA draft choice next June if he decided to forego his final two years of collegiate eligibility. Smith needs Barbour. He has two solid recruits in Cote and Glasgow guard Brandon Stockton. But Barbour is a rising star, the blue-chip player every big-time school wants -- and needs. That's why Smith can only wait, and hope, that Barbour's initial infatuation with Kentucky remains solid even as he continues to listen to offers from others as he waits for the November signing date." - Danville (KY) Messenger

9/30: "Barbour, a 6-foot-5 swingman from Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill., helped his team win the junior-college national championship. Barbour said he probably won't make a decision until the November signing period, after he visits Cincinnati for Midnight Madness. He said he also is considering UK and Nevada Las Vegas and as of now has no clear-cut leader. "Indiana is right there," he said. "Indiana said that they need somebody who can play the 3 and I said I'd come for a visit and check it out. I'm looking at playing time, the quality of the team and a good coach." - Louisville C-J (changed from SG to SF)

9/27: "Antwain Barbour, a 6-foot-5 guard from Wabash Valley Junior College, will make an official visit to IU beginning today. Should Barbour decide on IU, he would join 6-foot-4 guard Bracey Wright (The Colony, Texas) and 6-foot-1 guard Marshall Strickland (Sykes, Md.), both of whom have already signed to play for the Hoosiers beginning next fall. Barbour, who led Wabash Valley to a 36-1 record and the National Junior College Athletic Association championship last season, recently finished visits to UNLV and Kentucky. He will visit CINCINNATI during the first weekend of practice, Oct. 12 and 13, RivalHoops.com recruiting analyst Russ Blake said. "Indiana has a shot," Blake said. "These visits will be critical in determining where Antwain winds up." Kentucky is thought to have the inside track on Barbour, who played high school basketball in Elizabethtown, Ky., was recruited by UK and developed a solid relationship with Wildcat coach Tubby Smith. Former Wabash Valley coach Jay Spoonhour left the Warriors after last season to join his father, Charlie, at UNLV. "Kentucky has the inherent advantages," Blake said. "But, IU shows they're still a key. (This visit) is a good thing for IU." Despite the edge for UK and UNLV, IU managed to sneak into the picture early this month when coach Mike Davis made a visit to Mt. Carmel, Ill., to see Barbour practice. Barbour played both point guard and small forward at Wabash Valley, scoring 12.3 points per game during the regular season. The NJCAA Tournament MVP shot 68 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range. "He can play the one, two or three spot," Wabash Valley assistant coach Jesse Watkins said. "He can shoot the three, he's athletic and can finish. He likes to play an up-tempo game. He will produce." Barbour did just that, exploding in the NJCAA Tournament, for more than 23 points per game, including 21 in the championship victory over Allegany (Md.) Junior College. "When the money is on the line, he is the guy with the ball in his hands," Blake said. "He might play horrible for two-thirds of a game, but for the last one-third, he makes plays. That's a big value. He tremendously cool, calm and collected. That's what sets him apart." Barbour separated himself from his fellow junior college stars this summer, when he toured China with the World University Games. Barbour played with a group of Division-I college players and was the only junior college player on the team. While trying out for the University Games, Barbour met IU sophomore forward Jared Jeffries, who was bidding for a spot on the Young Men's National Team. Jeffries made the first cut and later withdrew his name for consideration. Blake said Barbour wasn't a "big star" during the tour, but did familiarize himself with what he might expect on the collegiate level. Blake said some people are surprise that Barbour will make four visits. But Barbour must ensure, no matter where he goes, he will get immediate playing time; the junior college transfer will have two years of eligibility remaining. Illinois was believe to be a frontrunner earlier this week, but Wabash Valley coach Mark Nelson indicated Barbour has eliminated the Illini from his list. Illinois, like IU, recently signed a pair of heavily recruited guards. "He has to play right away," Blake said. "It's an unusual situation, but he has to go somewhere where he can get minutes. He can't make a mistake. If he goes to Indiana, he has to make sure he plays." Wright and Strickland's decision to come to Bloomington could work for or against IU, Blake said. If Barbour signs, IU would have three guards joining the program next season. Blake said Barbour will probably play shooting guard in college, and said IU "has sold Antwain that (IU) will run a three-guard system" should Barbour decide on the Hoosiers." - IDS News

9/27: "There's now a third serious entry in the Antwain Barbour sweepstakes and it means the University of Cincinnati's hopes of landing the junior-college basketball standout are slimming. Barbour, a 6-foot-5 swingman from Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill., is expected to make an official visit to Indiana University this weekend, according to his coach Mark Nelson. Barbour, a native of Elizabethtown, Ky., and one of the top junior-college prospects in the nation, has made official visits to the University of Kentucky and UNLV and has said he will sign a letter of intent during the November early signing period. He is considered a high priority for UC, but has yet to set up an official visit to the school, although he still lists the Bearcats as being under consideration. Nelson said late Wednesday night that he thinks Barbour will still take an official visit to UC. "He's going to Indiana this weekend, see how that goes and probably set up a visit sometime with CINCINNATI," said Nelson. Barbour's interest in UK stems from his having grown up in Kentucky, and his interest in UNLV stems from his former coach at Wabash Valley College, Jay Spoonhour, being an assistant to his father, Charlie, at UNLV." - Cincy Post

9/27: "...will make his official visit to Indiana. He is scheduled to arrive on a flight Friday and leave the campus on Sunday. Some "experts" have listed Barbour as the top junior college prospect in the nation. One television commentator predicted he would be a top 10 selection in next year's National Basketball Association draft if he chooses to come out." - Hoosier Times

9/26: "Indiana University has entered the battle for former Elizabethtown High School basketball star Antwain Barbour. The 6-foot-5 swingman, considered one of the top junior-college players in the nation, is expected to make an official visit to the Bloomington campus this weekend. Barbour, who also is considering UK and Nevada Las Vegas, was the 2000 State Tournament MVP before leading Illinois' Wabash Valley College to last season's national juniorcollege title with another MVP performance." - Louisville C-J

9/26:
http://kentucky.alliancesports.com/content.asp?CID=48199
(most of this is old comments in a new article tho)

9/25: "I think the IU staff thinks they have a real chance (at getting Barbour), but I still expect him to end up at Kentucky when all is said and done. If you read his comments, they just consistently seem to point that way." - Peegs.com

9/23: "UK Coach Tubby Smith made an in-home visit, of sorts, with Antwain Barbour last week. Actually, Smith met with Barbour at the player's school, Wabash Valley Community College. No, the UK coach did not fly. He drove 200 miles to Mount Carmel, Ill. It's difficult to cite a connection to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and subsequent flight restrictions, but Barbour's recruitment is largely a drive-by affair. Other coaches who've been to Wabash Valley include Bob Huggins of Cincinnati, Bill Self of Illinois and Mike Davis of Indiana. Barbour, who led Elizabethtown to the 2000 state championship, planned to make an official visit to UNLV this weekend. His coach at Wabash Valley last season, Jay Spoonhour, is the son of UNLV's new coach Charlie Spoonhour. The younger Spoonhour is now an assistant coach at UNLV. At mid-week, Wabash Valley Coach Mark Nelson said that Barbour had not set up any other campus visits beyond the trip to UNLV." - Lexington Herald


9/22: "Antwain Barbour is widely considered to be the best junior college prospect in the nation. Last season at Wabash Valley, Barbour captured the ultimate prize - a national championship. Last year's Wabash squad was run by current UNLV assistant Jay Spoonhour.
"Coach Spoonhour and I have a relationship like brothers," explained Barbour. "I really look up to him and respect him. And we really understand each other very well. He brought the best out of me as a player. He gave me alot of freedom in our motion offense last year."

Barbour also went up against current Rebel Marcus Banks on his way to the NJCAA championship last year. "Marcus and I have talked alot," said Antwain. "He really is a great player. He's the type of point guard that you want to play with. He's got it all."

Last year at Wabash, Barbour played multiple positions, but he said he prefers to play the small forward spot. "I did play some point last year, but I mostly played the two (shooting guard) and the three (small forward). They are basically interchangeable positions anyway."

I don't want 20 minutes per game," said Barbour. "I may only play one year, but at most I get to play two years, so I want to get in 35+ minutes per game."

The lanky swingman also said that he was impressed with UNLV's history - especially the successes of junior college players such as Larry Johnson, Keon Clark, Tyrone Nesby, J.R. Rider, and Shawn Marion. "I like that UNLV recognizes junior college players," said Barbour. "That could really give me the opportunity to come in here and shine. They have some great JC players representing them in the NBA right now."

Antwain also wants an opportunity to be the go to guy when he does make his decision. "The most important thing is winning," said Barbour. "Every player should hate to lose. I want to play for a team that has the will to win. But I also want a chance to be the go to guy on that team. That's every player's dream."

Although Barbour has visited the city of Las Vegas before, he still finds himself impressed with it. He also finds himself impressed with his potential new home, the Thomas and Mack Center. "I understand why the tourism is so good here. It's a great city and I love everything about it. It's a great place to be. And the Thomas and Mack is a great arena," said the 6-5, 185 pound forward. "It's huge like an NBA arena. I like that the crowd is right on top of the floor too."

Barbour says he looks forward to signing early and finishing the recruiting process, but he admits that it's one of the toughest decisions he has ever had to make. "I'm going to sign during the early period (November)," said Barbour, "but I don't have a leader right now. It's going to be a tough choice for me. When I look at UNLV and Kentucky, both have great traditions," said Antwain. "But it is going to be tough to make a choice because there are alot of similarities between the programs. UNLV is going to be a good team. Coach Spoonhour has really been getting this thing going. Right now he has a lot of talent on the floor. But Kentucky is always good. It's going to be a really hard decision." - RebelNet (UNLV)

9/20: Tubby Smith was spotted in Mt Carmel, ILL today.

9/17: "the (KY) Wildcats likely will get the great player in 6'5 Antwain Barbour from Wabash Valley (JC) IL, who is widely regarded as one of the top two or three players in the junior college ranks." - Hoop Scoop

9/16: "Prospect Antwain Barbour, the former Elizabethtown High School star, canceled a scheduled visit to Kansas this weekend. Also called off was a midweek visit by UNLV coaches to his Wabash Valley College.
The suspension of normal recruiting affects the chase for Barbour. "The more it does go on, the more people get involved," Wabash Coach Mark Nelson said. CINCINNATI Coach Bob Huggins and Illinois Coach Bill Self visited Barbour during the week. Indiana Coach Mike Davis plans to come next week. Nelson had hoped that Barbour, who visited UK last weekend, could make a decision by the end of the month." - Lexington Herald

9/14: "Antwain Barbour...is still planning on making his recruiting visit to Las Vegas today. Barbour, a 6-foot-5-inch guard from Wabash Valley (Ill.) College, is expected to fly from Evansville, Ind. to Las Vegas." - Las Vegas Sun...(there were separate mssg board posts today tho that said Barbour postponed his visit)

9/12: "Antwain Barbour will visit Cincinnati Oct 5." - Ohio Preps

9/11: "Bob Huggins and his assistant coach visit Antwain Barbour today at Wabash Valley junior college. From the words that I received it was a great visit and it seems like Cincinnati is back in the picture and the kid now WILL VISIT CINCINNATI sometime soon." - Ohio Preps (4 to 5)

9/11: "Barbour, who led Elizabethtown High School to the 2000 Kentucky state basketball championship, is slated to visit UNLV this weekend, and his coach Mark Nelson told Russ Blake of the recruiting site Juco Junction that Barbour will definitely sign this fall and that UK and UNLV are his first two choices. Barbour, who is 6 feet 4, 180 pounds, is also considering CINCINNATI, Illinois and Indiana. He led Wabash Valley Community College in Mount Carmel, Ill., to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship this past season." - CincyPost

9/10:
http://www.sportingnews.com/cbasketball/summervacation/barbour.html

9/8: "According to Wabash Valley Head Coach Mark Nelson, Barbour is currently on the campus of Kentucky (Sept. 7-9) and will visit UNLV from Sept. 14-16. Nelson said that Barbour will definitely sign early. In addition to Kentucky and UNLV, CINCINNATI, Illinois and Indiana are heavily recruiting Barbour this fall, and those schools plan to come to Mt. Carmel and evaluate the reigning NJCAA Tournament MVP." - (clipped) RivalsHoops (5 to 4)

9/7: "recruiting targets will be in Lexington this weekend for visits with the University of Kentucky.....the other is Antwain Barbour, the junior college standout from Elizabethtown, Ky. He has just returned from helping the United States to a bronze medal in the World University Games in Beijing, China. Barbour has remained firm throughout his recruitment that there are no clear favorites for his services; however, he also insists he will pick a school in November. Kentucky is a strong contender because coach Tubby Smith was the first to offer Barbour a scholarship and the offer held firm when the player had to detour to Wabash Valley Community College in Illinois. "Coach Smith said he would always stick by me and he’s kept his word," Barbour said. - CatsPause

9/6: "This has been fun," said 2001 NJCAA Final Four MVP Barbour. "It's been great, coming out here and playing with all these guys at the (NCAA) Division I level. It's been a great experience, I think I learned a lot. Right now, I think I'm ready for D1 now. I think I'll be a lot smarter and make less mistakes on the court." - USA Basketball.com

9/6: "Charlie Spoonhour and his staff (at UNLV) now have one grant remaining and remain in the mix for junior college swingman Antwain Barbour. The Kentucky native will make his official visit to UNLV the weekend of Sept. 15. The UNLV staff comprised of Barbour’s former junior college coach Jay Spoonhour and former St. Louis, Illinois and Minnesota assistant Derek Thomas has strong midwestern ties." -
http://bluechiphoops.theinsiders.com/

9/5: Van Coleman: "I think Kentucky is definitely the school to beat for Antwain Barbour (6-5, Wabash Valley CC). That's what we've been hearing lately."

Clark Francis: "They're going to probably get him, and he might be as good a junior college player as there is in the country. One of the top two, three or four, anyway. He's a terrific talent. But he may end up going pro on them." - Sporting News Article



9/4: "Playing in the NBA would be another dream come true for Barbour. The 6-5 wing player averaged 12.3 points per game and shot 42 percent from 3-point range last season. "I have to look at all my options," Barbour said. "Right now, it's really no big deal. Playing in the NBA has always been my dream. In high school, I didn't get a lot of looks (from college coaches). It's nice now to have all this attention. I was just a third guy on my high school team, so all this is still kind of new to me." He figures to have plenty of company the next two months as college coaches line up to court him. While Louisville and Kentucky are considered the leaders for Barbour by most recruiting analysts, he insists it is not a done deal. Florida, Florida State, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, CINCINNATI, Connecticut, Alabama, Nevada-Las Vegas, Kansas, Illinois and Arizona State are just some of the teams he's heard from. "I really do want to play Division I basketball," Barbour said. "This trip made me better physically and mentally. I learned how much fun those other guys have in Division I. "I want to enjoy the atmosphere and playing on TV. It's the top level of college basketball." Barbour readily admits playing time will be a big consideration in his college choice. He also wants to sign with a team that has a legitimate chance to make the Final four. "I'll start making visits soon and I will sign in November," Barbour said. "I'm still wide open with every school. I will eventually narrow it to five to visit. But just because I don't visit a school won't mean I couldn't sign there." He says his mother won't influence his decision even though Louisville would only be 10 minutes from home and Lexington an hour. "She wants me to go where it is best for me," Barbour said. "People have to understand this is not an in-state battle for me. I am looking for the place that will benefit me the most. I am the one who has to go to the school and be happy. "If we had not made the state tournament my senior year to give me a chance to showcase my talent, none of this might be happening now. God works in mysterious ways at times and going to junior college let me learn more about my game. "Now I've been to China. I got to see the Great Wall of China, which was amazing. Sometimes I didn't always know what the food was. If it was something I didn't think I would like, I didn't try it." He won't use the same approach if it comes time to decide between playing for a highly-ranked college team or going to the NBA. "It just depends on what turns out best for me," Barbour said. "If I'm in a great spot in the draft, I would have to take it. But I also have some great college choices. Considering where I was two years ago, it's a great dilemma to have." - The (Danville, Ky) Advocate Messenger

9/1/01: "Antwain Barbour of Elizabethtown, Ky., can list a bronze medal among his many accomplishments that have included the national junior college tournament championship and the Kentucky state high school championship. On Friday, Barbour and his United States teammates defeated Germany 80-78 in the consolation round of the 2001 World University Games in Beijing. The U.S. had lost its bid for a gold medal the previous night in a heartbreaking one-point loss to homestanding China. "This has been fun," said Barbour, who now returns for his sophomore year at Wabash Valley Community College in Illinois. "I would have been happier if we had won the gold, but it’s good to win your last game to get the bronze." Barbour, who has been heavily recruited by Kentucky since leading Elizabethtown High to the Sweet 16 title in 2000, was the only junior college player to make the all-star team. The experience has left him with no doubts about competing with the big boys. "It’s been great, coming out here and playing with all these guys at the Division I level," Barbour said. "I think I learned a lot. Right now, I think I’m ready for D1 now. I think I’ll be a lot smarter and make less mistakes on the court." Barbour’s play in the World Games was up and down, but he finished the eight-game slate averaging 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds. He made 16-of-39 field goals (41%), 3-of-15 three-pointers (20%), and 11-of-17 free throws (65%). He also had six assists and five steals as a shooting guard. Barbour’s best effort was a 14-point outing in a 128-97 win over Korea that kept the U.S. undefeated and put them into the medal round. He made 5-of-6 field goals in that game. "I finally got into the groove of playing basketball," Barbour said at the time. "I got a chance to play more tonight and I got to prove that I should be out here playing with these guys." - CatsPause.com

8/31: Listed as the best JUCO SG in the USA. - Future Stars

8/22: In the first three games for USA Basketball, Barbour is averaging 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg. He is 6-18 from the floor and 2-11 from the trey line. Updates on USABasketball.com

8/16: "Following five days of training camp featuring 14 finalists, the 12-member 2001 USA Basketball Men's World University Games Team was finalized". Antwain Barbour was selected along with Andre Barrett, Lynn Greer and Melvin Ely. The coach is Jerry Dunn from Penn State. - USA Basketball

http://www.usabasketball.com/usab/Men/01mwug_qa_barbour_010815.html


8/14: "I don't have anything new to offer on Barbour, other than he was very impressive according to those who had the opportunity to watch him workout this summer with the National team. I suspect that UK is the front-runner if he doesn't go to the league. How he plays this season will be a key factor in whether he makes the leap." - Rob matera, AllStar Report

8/2: Made the 16-player cut for the USA Basketball World University Games Team that will play in Beijing in late Aug. Other players include Andre Barrett (S.Hall), Lonny Baxter (MD), Melvin Ely (Fresno St) and Tamar Slay (Marshall).

8/1/01: Listed as the 6th best Juco Soph in the country. - NBA Draft Report

7/27: "Antwain Barbour is plenty familiar with the state of Illinois. A native of Kentucky, he played at Wabash Valley Community College last season in Mount Carmel and zoomed into the national spotlight with head-turning play from the wing. It's been thought Kentucky and Louisville were in the lead for him, and that may be true. But Illinois is still a factor, and the 6-5 Barbour, regarded as a scoring machine, may well give the Illini a visit." - Decatur Herald

7/24: "Antwain Barbour did not go to Dallas over the weekend as planned, but Kentucky’s No. 1 recruiting target still plans to represent the United States in a bid for a gold medal this fall. Barbour, the Wabash Valley Junior College standout, was supposed to be in Texas on July 20 to try to make the roster for a United States team that will play in Japan. But he said Tuesday night that the invitation fell through, though he was never given a reason. Instead, Barbour will now head to Denver in August and join the other Team USA that will play in China. Barbour said he is wide open but will make a decision in November. Of late, he played in a pick-up game with Kentucky players and had a visit from CINCINNATI coach Bob HUGGINS." - Cats Pause

7/20: "One of UNLV's targets is known to be 6-foot-5 shooting guard Antwain Barbour, who starred under Jay Spoonhour last season at Wabash Valley (Ill.) College. Barbour averaged 23 points in the national Juco tournament, leading Wabash Valley to the title with a 37-1 record. Barbour, from Elizabethtown, Ky., is being recruited by several schools, including UNLV, Louisville, Cincinnati and Kentucky. He intends to sign in November, and UNLV has a good shot at him. "Coach (Jay) Spoon is like my best friend," Barbour told Internet site Juco Junction. "I'll look at UNLV just because of that. Plus UNLV is a big-time program right now. That is going to be a part of my decision." - Las Vegas Sun

7/16: (Excerpts) The list of schools pursuing the former Panther is impressive. Kentucky, Louisville, Illinois, Kansas, Connecticut, Florida, UNLV and CINCINNATI are among the schools wanting Barbour, a shooting guard who is capable of breaking down a defense off the dribble and beating a zone with a deep shot. "Barbour spends as many as seven hours - a day - getting ready for his future. When he's not lifting weights to gain upper body strength, he's working on his game with individual workouts and playing in pick-up games. All his work is for the goal that he's been focused on for what seems like forever - the NBA. "I think about the NBA every day,'' he said. "I know if I'm in the top 5, it'd be hard to pass that up." After leading Elizabethtown High School to the 2000 state championship and Wabash Valley College to the Junior College national championship, the 6-foot-5, 180-pound Barbour has become one of the most sought after basketball players in the country. "From the time I was four or five when I started to play, I've loved to play," Barbour said. "I loved to play from the start." And he loved to dream about the possibilities the sport could offer. "Whenever somebody told me I couldn't do this or that, that just motivated me even more,'' he said. "It made me want to show them that I could."
Barbour said he will take five official recruiting trips in the fall and intends to sign with a school during November's early signing period. He will make an unofficial visit to CINCINNATI this week and has spent enough time around players and coaches from Kentucky and Louisville to understand what his situation would be at those schools. Still, the decision he will make won't be easy. "It's not all about me," he said. "It's about the team. I want to see what kind of talent will be there. To go to a losing school and score 35 points, I'd rather go somewhere and get 15 points and win a championship." "This isn't happening to him by accident," (Coach) Haire said. "He's extremely coachable. You tell him something and he'll work on it until he's better at it. He's a hard worker and that's what has got him where he is." - Hardin Cty News Enterprise
http://www.newsenterpriseonline.com/sports.htm

7/14: "Yesterday, Bob HUGGINS from CINCINNATI was down at E-town HS (Barbour's former HS) to watch Antwain. After watching him...they talked for a bit. Keith Legree (former UL player and now on staff at Cincinnati) is supposed to be coming down this weekend to talk more with him." - unknown post-er on KY Sports Report

7/15: "Few sit in a prettier position this recruiting year than former Elizabethtown star Antwain Barbour. A junior college All-American as a freshman last season, Barbour is being recruited by such heavyweights as Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas, UNLV, UConn and CINCINNATI. Plus, the mention of his name at the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp last month caused NBA hearts to flutter. So when Louisville got a commitment from a similar player last week, 6-foot-7 Francisco Garcia, Barbour yawned. "I mean, it doesn't hurt me at all," Barbour said, "because there's a lot of schools out there that want me. Just because one school picks a player at my position doesn't mean I'll lay down and just quit. It's no big deal." He hasn't heard from U of L since Garcia's commitment. So Barbour figures that Rick Pitino's Cards have dropped from the recruiting race. He said he'd continue to listen if Louisville wanted to talk." - Lex Herald Leader

7/15: "Illinois. Connecticut. Florida. Florida State. Kansas. CINCINNATI. Nevada-Las Vegas. And yes, bitter rivals Kentucky and Louisville. They are all casting lots in the Barbour sweepstakes."

http://kentucky.alliancesports.com/content.asp?CID=31552


7/14: "Antwain Barbour, the junior college standout from Elizabethtown, Ky., says he remains wide open in terms of picking a college. But that doesn’t mean Kentucky did not score some serious points when Tubby Smith became the first major college coach to offer.
The lights had barely dimmed in Rupp Arena after Elizabethtown won the 2000 state high school championship when Smith came calling. "Tubby was one of the first to call and offer a scholarship. You have to respect him for that," Barbour said. Moreover, UK’s coach never wavered when Barbour later had to detour to junior college. "Tubby said when he left for junior college that there would be something at UK for him," said James Haire, Barbour’s high school coach. "Coach Smith said he would always stick by me and he’s kept his word," Barbour added. "He’s called my junior college coach. He came to some of my games. His assistants were at quite a few games and at every game during the national tournament." Barbour, who will definitely sign in November, did say he has determined how he will pick a college, and the three-point plan seems to bode well for the cats. "First is playing time," Barbour said. "I’ve got two years left so I have to find somewhere that I can get minutes. "Second has got to be the quality of the team. Are they a contender to win the national championship? Can they get to the Final Four? "And three, can I trust the coach? Is the coach going to work me to get to the next level? Is he going to get on the phone for me when the time comes? Will he do this or that for me so that I can get to the next level?" When sorting through the pros and cons of each prospective school, Barbour won’t need flip charts or even a coin toss. "I’ve been praying every night and I think God will give me some signal that will tell me what’s best for me. A place to go where I can have a great career," Barbour said. "At some time, it’s going to click in my head that this is the best place for me. And when it does, I won’t look back at all. I’ll know that it’s the right place for me." Folks in Barbour’s home of Elizabethtown, and many others across the Commonwealth, have already narrowed the battle down to two teams – Kentucky and Louisville. Moreover, it’s Tubby Smith versus Rick Pitino in the coaches’ first true battle for the best in-state prospect. But for his part, Barbour wants nothing to do with that debate. "That’s the fans, they make it a rivalry," he said. "And the press. I read a headline one time saying, ‘Can Pitino steal Barbour from Tubby?’ Steal what? I haven’t committed to anybody yet.
"What people don’t understand is that it’s not all about just Louisville and Kentucky," Barbour said. "There are going to be more schools involved than just that. I’m not counting any school out right now." Nevada-Las Vegas will get consideration because Barbour’s coach last season at Wabash Junior College is now an assistant with the Rebels. Illinois, Connecticut, CINCINNATI, Florida and Florida State are also said to be in the hunt. UC’s BOB HUGGINS WAS IN ELIZABETHTWON RECENTLY. At this point, Barbour will talk to any and all coaches. It’s been that way since the Sweet 16 high school championship. "After we won state, it was like boom, boom, boom. I’d be talking to one coach and I’d get a beep and it was another coach," Barbour said. "So I would be talking to one coach with another on hold. I’d listen to everything he had to say and then click, talk to another coach and listen to all he had to say. He’d be telling me all about his program. "The state championship was on Saturday and we got home on Sunday. That Monday morning, they all started calling," Barbour said. "The phone would be ringing when I walked in the door, and it would go until about 11:30 or midnight. The latest call I got was 1:30 a.m." The same was true for Haire. "At E’town High, we have phones in the classrooms, so the phone would start ringing at 9 a.m.," Haire said. "If a coach wants to talk to Antwain, I’m going to try to make Antwain available. When he gets tired of it, that’s his call." In fact, some have tried to get to Barbour through Haire. "I’ve had coaches call me, kind of like they’re courting me," Haire said. "They can court all they want, I’m not going to influence his decision. I want to expose him to everybody. The more he’s exposed to people, the more he’ll know where he fits in the best." For now, Barbour’s door is open. "I want to listen to every coach, to hear what they have to say," Barbour said. "After you listen to a few coaches you learn they all say about the same thing. So then you have to pick and choose. Try to find one to trust." In the meantime, Barbour has played pick-up games with returning players at Kentucky and Louisville. In fact, he was in Lexington the second week of July. But while fans should not read much into Barbour turning up on the UK or UofL campus from time to time, Haire said he has definitely learned something from those visits – Barbour belongs. "I’ve taken him to Kentucky and Louisville to play pick-up games with the players. Now maybe I’m biased," Haire said, "but I thought he was the best player on the floor. He will embarrass you playing. "All you have to do is see him play one time to really appreciate his skills – the range on his shot, his defense. I’ve heard coaches say he reminds them of Scottie Pippen." Lofty praise, but as of yet no lofty ego. "I haven’t noticed any big-headedness out of him, and I’ve been looking for it and I would’ve told him," Haire said. "Antwain seems to be well-grounded. I don’t know why because I think it would get to me. I think it would get to most people. But so far he’s been the same old Antwain." - The Cats Pause

7/12: "University of CINCINNATI men's basketball coach Bob Huggins ventured into enemy territory Wednesday morning trying to lure former Elizabethtown High School standout Antwain Barbour to his school.
Barbour and Huggins met at Charlie Rawlings Memorial Gymnasium and Huggins delivered his recruiting pitch. Barbour, who will be a sophomore at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel, Ill., lists CINCINNATI among several schools, including Kentucky and Louisville, that he's considering. "He came down and we just talked,'' Barbour said. "He said they were really interested in me.'' While Barbour and Huggins were speaking, Barbour received a call from a University of Illinois coach in Elizabethtown coach James Haire's office.
Barbour disputes rumors and reports that he's narrowed his list of colleges. A WAVE-TV report Tuesday night, identifying unnamed sources, said Barbour would select between Kentucky and UNLV. "I don't know where they get these sources," Barbour said. "I don't have a top anything at this point. Everybody is in it at this point."
Including the Bearcats who have a proven record for filling their roster with junior college players. "Cincinnati, they do play a lot of junior college players,'' Barbour said. "He (Huggins) told me he expects them to come in and be leaders on the team. That got my attention." Cincinnati has been one of several schools recruiting Barbour, who helped the Panthers to the 2000 state championship.
"They've been calling a lot,'' he said. "Coach Huggins and Coach (Keith) LeGree have called me a lot." Barbour said Wednesday he will take an UNOFFICIAL VISIT to Cincinnati sometime next week.
Shortly after meeting with Huggins, Barbour left for a pick-up basketball game in Lexington with Kentucky players." - Hardin County News Enterprise

7/12: "Antwain Barbour says he has no idea which college he will attend in 2002. "I have no clue, and I’m not even worried about that at this point." But there are two decisions that have already been made.

1) He will make his choice during the early November signing period.

2) He has a three-point plan on how that selection will be reached. "It’s going to come down to the coach, playing time and the quality of the team," Barbour said. "First is playing time," Barbour said. "I’ve got two years left so I have to find somewhere that I can get minutes. "Second has got to be the quality of the team. Are they a contender to win the national championship? Can they get to the Final Four? "And three, can I trust the coach? Is the coach going to work me to get to the next level? Is he going to get on the phone for me when the time comes? Will he do this or that for me so that I can get to the next level?" - Cats Pause

7/11: "the Cardinals have been courting former Elizabethtown High standout Antwain Barbour, who has become one of the nation's most coveted junior-college players at Wabash Valley College in Illinois." - Lou Courier Journal

6/22/01:
JJ: Are there any Division I coaches that you have already formed a strong relationship with?
Antwain Barbour: Of course, at UNLV with Coach Spoon [Jay Spoonhour]. Tubby Smith has been there since high school, so we have a great relationship. A player-coach relationship. And then Keith Legree at Cincinnati, he was at Wabash. He was recruiting me with Coach Loyer, so I have a close relationship with him [Legree]. That's about it right now.

JJ: Do you know new Louisville Asst. Coach Mick Cronin very well?
AB: I know him and I've talked to him, but it's not like we've talked a lot. I am just now getting to know him, so it's not as close as it is with Coach [Tubby] Smith and Keith [Legree].

JJ: Are you going to sign in the fall or the spring?
AB: I am probably going to sign in the fall, in November, during the early signing period, so I can just play and not have to worry about anything.

JJ: I know it's still very early, but have you planned some official visits to any of the schools on your list?
AB: Well, I know I am going to officially visit Kentucky and Louisville. That's definite. - Cats Pause

6/14/01: "The first scheduled uncivil war will arrive sometime next season, when the Kentucky program Rick Pitino previously coached will oppose the Louisville program he now coaches in a non-conference game at Rupp Arena. But the real battle, one not on the calendar but with lasting ramifications for both programs, already began. His name is Antwain Barbour. Unless you hang around the Kentucky state high school tournament in Lexington or the national junior college championships in Hutchinson, Kan., you most likely haven't seen him play. You might have come across his name on a list of hot recruiting prospects -- Antwain Barbour, 6-5 G/F, Wabash Valley C.C., Mt. Carmel, Ill. -- and wondered if he were worthy of such fuss. The answer was provided by USA Basketball, which chose him over such accomplished Division I players as Alabama's Rod Grizzard, South Florida's Altron Jackson and Marvin O'Connor of St. Joseph's as a finalist for this nation's World University Games team. Barbour attended the three-day trials at the U.S. Olympic training center and ranked as the second-leading scorer of the 42 players in camp. He shot 50 percent from the field. On average, O'Connor, Jackson and Grizzard averaged 19.2 points during the 2000-01 Division I season, but Barbour nearly outscored all three combined in Colorado. "That's a different environment for all the players, but for Antwain, being a junior-college player -- sometimes, you feel you're on the outside," said Mark Nelson, who will be Barbour's coach this fall at Wabash. "I thought if he could just compete, that would be good. And he did better than that. At times, he even stood out. He definitely belonged there. He's in that type of class." Barbour is a slight-built wing who bears some resemblance to former Connecticut All-American Richard Hamilton in both form and content. His recruitment is a point of emphasis for both the Wildcats and Cardinals for a couple reasons: Scorers this prolific are rare enough, and few such players lately have grown up in Kentucky. And, of course, neither will want to lose out to the other. In 2000, Barbour led Elizabethtown High to the state championship. "Single-handedly," said Alan Cutler of Lexington television station WLEX. "And it wasn't just the championship game; it was all three days." Barbour was an easy choice as the tournament's MVP. To that point, he'd been recruited only by Southern Mississippi. Barbour stood just 5-8 in ninth grade and did not make his school's varsity until his junior year. He wasn't even a double-figure scorer that season. "I was a late bloomer," he said. Barbour's state tournament performance as a senior attracted the attention of Western Kentucky, Kentucky and Kansas State. He fell short of a qualifying score on the ACT, though, and decided to attend Wabash Valley, which he then led to the NJCAA title and became tournament MVP. Two years, two titles. He could add a gold medal to that by the end of this summer. "Winning is very important to me. I love to win. I hate to lose," said Barbour, who does not believe that sort of hunger is as rare as it is. "I'm sure every player hates to lose. Winning is a great thing." That attitude would serve him well at any number of schools. Many believe Louisville and Kentucky to be the only contenders, with U of L a mere 45 miles from where he attended high school and Lexington only 85 miles removed, with both programs offering big-time coaches, attention and atmospheres. "That's just talk. People talk. Right now, I'm wide open," Barbour said. "I've got to look at every option, and I've got to make sure I pick the right school for me. I've only got two years of eligibility in Division I, so I've got to find the right school. Kentucky and Louisville are great. They're on the list. But there are other schools, too." The others? Kansas, UNLV, Illinois and, in his words, "possibly Florida." He won't rush but plans to make a decision by November so he can play his second season at Wabash without pressure. He wants a school where he'll be certain to play immediately, though it's hard to imagine many own lineups he can't crack. Those in contention will be even more eager to get him following his weekend in Colorado Springs. The trials were held during a dead period, when coaches are not supposed to watch prospects play. Exceptions were made for those in the official USA Basketball delegation, which included Kentucky's Tubby Smith, a member of the selection committee. Coaches who wanted to watch their own players compete for positions faced different circumstances. One Division I assistant said his compliance department insisted he sign a memo declaring his program wasn't recruiting Barbour and would not recruit him in the future. If he'd played just decent, Barbour stood a good chance of making the National team cut because of Smith's presence on the selection committee. With only 10 players to exclude, it was unlikely USA Basketball would punish the Kentucky coach for his service -- he also worked with last year's gold medal-winning Olympic team -- by affronting one of his principal recruits. Barbour, though, purged the political considerations from his first moment on the court. In Friday night's opening session, he tied Connecticut forward Caron Butler for scoring honors with 18 points. He played attentively on defense, unselfishly on offense. His most impressive moment came Saturday, when Barbour took a 3-point shot that missed, leading to an opposing fastbreak that cut loose Duke's Dahntay Jones for what looked as if it would be another if his impressive dunks. However, Barbour flashed back from his miss to defend the goal, and he was in position to reject Jones' attempt. "I hoped to just know where I stand," Barbour said. "The coach called me into the office to tell me about being invited, and he started naming off all the players, and I was like, 'Oh, man, that's the biggest players in the country.' "I just wanted to know where I stand with all the big-time players . . . try to be one of them." - DeCourcy, The Sporting News

5/18/01: "There were a ton of college coaches in Hutchinson,'' he said, noting that University of Kentucky assistant Reggie Hanson was among them. "I showed them I can play." Barbour said he still has an eye on UK, but his scope has widened considerably. A bunch of major colleges, including Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Auburn, Mississippi State and Villanova, have contacted Warriors Coach Jay Spoonhour to say they want to recruit his freshman star. But the call that got Barbour's immediate attention was the one Spoonhour received this week from Louisville Coach Rick Pitino.

``It just thrilled me that he called to say he wanted to recruit me,'' Barbour said. ``Coach Pitino being at Louisville completely changes the way I look at them.''

Barbour said Pitino's reconstruction project at U of L might fit nicely with his desire to step in and play a lot as a junior. "I'll only have two years of eligibility, so I don't want to have to compete with anybody for playing time, whether it's a freshman or somebody that's been in the program," he said. ``I want to be able to come in and play. "If Louisville's rebuilding, I could probably be a major player there right away. Right now, I don't have any idea what I'll do. But if I can make up my mind, I'll sign with somebody in November so I can play my last year here without any pressure." Barbour played point guard, shooting guard and small forward for the Warriors and averaged 14 points during the regular season. His production increased dramatically at the national tournament, where he was 32-for-59 from the field, including 10-for-20 on three-pointers, and hit 14 of 15 free throws. He also averaged four assists and 3.5 rebounds over four games.



6/3/01:
http://www.usabasketball.com/usab/Men/antwain_barbour_bio.html
Named as one of 16 finalists for the 2001 USA Men's World University Games Team.

5/22: "We expect the Louisville Cardinals to get a commitment in the near future from 6'4 Frosh Antwain Barbour from Wabash Valley (JC) IL, who led Elizabethtown (H.S.) KY to the Kentucky State High School Championship a year ago and Wabash Valley (JC) IL to the National Junior College Championship two months ago, and later sign the best three inside players they can get." - HoopScoop

4/26/01: "(Barbour) has another year to spend in junior college and will be among the top recruits in the nation. He probably will be the most widely pursued junior college player since Shawn Marion. I would not suspect it will be a two-horse race, to use a metaphor that Bluegrass State fans might appreciate. But I would think UK and Louisville will have a huge head start. If it is between them, you've got Kentucky's tradition and Tubby Smith's personal charm on one side vs. the focus and energy of Rick Pitino and assistant Mick Cronin. That would be a heck of a fight." - Mike DeCourcy

3/28/01: "Most Valuable Player Antwain Barbour was a man on a mission for No. 3 Wabash Valley Community College, Ill. Barbour delivered the 2001 NJCAA championship with a vintage 21-point performance that sparked the Warriors to Saturday's 89-83 victory over No. 10 Allegany Community College, Md. Barbour scored 92 tournament points, the third-best individual total. Barbour hit a championship record five 3-pointers and Wabash Valley, winning its first NJCAA title, nailed 11 of 19 3-pointers overall to outscore the Trojans 33-15 from 3-point range." - Hutchinson News

6/18/00: "In the first 11:11, Indiana jumped out to a 28-8 advantage before Kentucky unleashed a momentary answer. Antwain Barbour, state tourney MVP, scored his first basket with 9:23 left in the first half that allowed Kentucky to begin to build a bit of a rally. Showing off some of the talent that has Division I coaches taking interest, Barbour scored all 14 of Kentucky’s next points to draw the squad to 40-24. After heading into the locker room with a 62-32 deficit, Kentucky gave the ball to Barbour, who once more hit a succession of key baskets, but on this night, Indiana simply was too good. It couldn’t stop Barbour’s 34 points..." - Kentucky iHigh (Notes from Ind vs KY All Star Game)

6/15/00: "As coach of the boys' Kentucky All-Star team, Ashland's Mike Flynn kept a lookout for the state's unknown talent this past basketball season. He figured he found the brightest hidden gem in Antwain Barbour while watching Elizabethtown play in the Ashland Invitational Tournament. "He went way up on my list," Flynn said. "He was the best player in the tournament. He caught my eye." Barbour was ranked only the fifth-best player in the Fifth Region in a preseason poll of coaches, but his stock kept rising all season, finally going through the rafters at Rupp Arena during the State Tournament. The 6-foot-5, 170-pound slasher was named Most Valuable Player of the Sweet 16 after leading the Panthers to the title. In four games he poured in 104 points, including 42 in the semifinals against Russellville and 31 in the final against Lexington Catholic. "I can see why they didn't respect me as much -- I didn't even start my junior year," Barbour said. "I just wanted to come out and show everybody I can play just as well as anybody out there." He'll get another chance to show his star qualities when he helps lead the Kentucky All-Stars into Saturday's 8:35 p.m. game against Indiana's best graduated seniors in the opener of the 59th annual summer series in Frankfort's Farnham Dudgeon Civic Center. The teams will meet again a week later in Indianapolis. "It's good to hang out with all the people from other parts of the state," Barbour said. "It's been a fun time. We've got a good team." Kentucky is trying to end a three-game losing skid. Indiana leads the series 64-39 and swept both games last year for the first time since 1990. Before his senior season, Barbour was generally considered only the third-best player on the E'town team, behind Nathan Sexton and Chris Williams. "Nobody respected me," he said. "It was always Chris and Nate, but they had started varsity since freshman year." After growing nearly three inches in a year, Barbour averaged 20.7 points and 5.7 rebounds as a senior. He scored 38 in the Panthers' opening game. "Being fifth in the region was a lot of motivation," he said with a wide smile. "People think you're not as good a player. It just made me want to get better." He still got little attention heading into the Sweet 16, but that changed quickly. He drilled three-pointers, swiped passes, slammed home eye-popping dunks and, against Russellville, took over the game. "It put me on the map," he said. "But I kind of expected it. Most big games, my team turned to me sometimes. I didn't expect to get 40, but I expected a big game. The 40 just kind of came." Flynn said he saw Barbour's talent in the Ashland event but still marveled at his play in the State Tournament. "He sure put on a once-in-a-lifetime showing," Flynn said. "He's done nothing to disappoint so far in our practices. He's going to be a major contributor to this basketball team." Barbour scored 16 points in the All-Stars' first scrimmage Tuesday night and was on the receiving end of several lobs that resulted in crowd-pleasing dunks. Whereas most players are labeled inside or outside, Barbour can play just about any position. "He epitomizes the versatility we want to play with," Flynn said. "He can play inside, bring the ball up the floor, shoot the three, take it off the dribble, rebound, pass the ball, score in the post. He really can do it all." Barbour, who took the American College Test again Saturday, is headed to Wabash Valley College (a junior college in Mount Carmel, Ill.) with hopes of going on to major-college ball. "Hopefully, I can go to junior college and get stronger," he said. "Then I'll go to Division I and make another name for myself." - Lou Courier Journal

5/21/00: "A few weeks after leading Elizabethtown High to the state championship, Antwain Barbour quietly made an unofficial recruiting visit to UK. Barbour, who seems headed for a two-year stint on the junior college level, did not make the visit as part of an agreement to return someday to play for the Cats. Then again, who knows? "He just really wanted to come up and look at the facilities and talk to the people up there," E-town Coach James Haire said. "It was not a big-scale deal. "They just wanted to show their interest. If he developed the way he should, maybe he could come later. They didn't make any promises. Everybody was very cordial." While at UK, Barbour played pickup games with the Cats. A 6-foot-5 swingman, Barbour spent much of the time guarding Tayshaun Prince. "He held his own," Haire said. Barbour, whose state-tournament starburst punctuated a season in which he averaged 20 points and shot 65 percent, seems headed to junior college. Three such schools in Kansas have inquired about his interest. Maybe not so coincidentally, Kansas State promised "they'll take him after two years," Haire said. The E-town coach said Barbour is capable of doing college work. "He's intelligent," Haire said before adding, "As a freshman and sophomore, he just goofed off." - Lex Herald Leader

http://enquirer.com/editions/2000/03/19/spt_elizabethtown_wins.html


3/19/00: "Antwain Barbour scored 42 points, 21 in the fourth quarter, as Elizabethtown pulled out a miraculous 88-87 victory over Russellville yesterday afternoon. E-town came from 15 points behind in the last 61/2 minutes to reach last night's title game of the Boys' State Tournament in Rupp Arena. Too bad much of the crowd of 15,204 headed for exits after the Lexington Catholic-Scott County semifinal, opting to catch the Kentucky-Syracuse TV game. ``Really, I wasn't shooting,'' said Barbour, a 6-foot-5 senior, who averaged 20.1 points during the regular season. ``I was just taking it to the basket. If they don't collapse on me, I'm shooting it. And, praise the Lord, my shot was going in." Barbour shot 17-for-27 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three-point range, and 5-for-7 at the free-throw line. His 15 rebounds helped E-town to a 42-27 edge on the boards over taller Russellville. Barbour played all 32 minutes, adding three assists, three blocks and two steals while committing only two turnovers." - Lex Herald Leader

2/29/00: "Barbour is an unknown commodity among the stellar Kentucky High School basketball crop of 2000. After spending the last two years in relative anonymity, he is only starting to come into his own.
Barbour began his basketball odyssey at North Hardin High School under the tutelage of legendary coach Ron Bevars. Bevars has coached countless prep standouts from Robbie Valentine (member of Louisville Cardinals 1986 championship team) to more recent standouts such as ex-Louisville signee Joe Sykes.
To say that Barbour went unnoticed as a freshman would be an understatement. A 5’10 point guard, Barbour had all the athletic ability in the world but possessed the ugliest jump shot this side of Tayshaun Prince. He started on the freshman team and played sparingly on the JV, but other than that, he had nothing more than a prayer to ever make it out of North Hardin’s diverse stable of talented guards.
But that’s when divine intervention took over, and the rest, as they say, is ancient history.
In 1997, Barbour’s family moved 10 miles down Dixie Highway to the cozy little city known to man as Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
The move was obviously because of family reasons, but there were other incentives: E’town was on the road to rebuilding a once proud basketball tradition, and the engineer, Head Coach James Haire, was in dire need of athletic players.
Barbour, who had grown four inches to 6’2, didn’t play much at all his sophomore season as he backed up senior (and current Bellarmine College) star Jared McCurry at small forward. Not that Barbour cared--he knew he would get his chance to shine eventually. He finally got his chance to play as a junior, as he emerged as one of the best sixth men in the state. Barbour flourished in his supersub role, routinely coming off the bench to energize the crowd with a rim-rattling fast break jam, or one of his countless weak side block shots that were sent rocketing into the stands. Ironically, Barbour’s most memorable game came at the hands of none other than Ron Bevars and the North Hardin Trojans.
In the 1999 17th district championship, the Panthers and Trojans squared off in front of a packed North Hardin gymnasium. In a game in which E-town couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean, North Hardin stormed to a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter.
That’s when ‘Twan took over. Barbour took the game into his own hands. In a dazzling 5-minute display of basketball greatness, he scored 18 consecutive Elizabethtown points, including two-three pointers in the face of none other than Joe Sykes.
His exclamation point came when he took a pass at half court, drove all the way to the basket, and unleashed a tomahawk jam over Trojan center Eric King, who stands 6’8. E-town lost that night, but Barbour had stamped himself an up-and-coming superstar. He just needed a chance to shine. Barbour’s coming out party carried over to the off-season.
His name started getting thrown around the state early last summer. Barbour was a late addition to the Derek Smith All-Stars, a traveling team that annually plays in the biggest high school tournaments across the nation. Despite being a last-minute replacement, Barbour was starting at small forward by the middle of the summer.
“Antwain was the best athlete in our program,” said David Zuerber, a reporter who traveled with the All-Stars. “He runs the floor well, has great leaping ability, and has good lateral quickness.” Zueber also said that many major colleges became interested in Barbour.
“Many major colleges, including Michigan, Louisville, and others, asked about him after an impressive performance against the Michigan Mustangs in Las Vegas,” he added.
However, despite being noticed by major Division I programs,Barbour (who was not interviewed for this article) told me a couple months back that Bellarmine head coach Charlie Just called trying to convince him he was only good enough to walk on. Barbour’s response? He hung up the phone faster than his cross-over dribble.
Not that it bothered him---after his experience at North Hardin, he was used to getting slighted.
Barbour issued a statement at the begging of his senior year that he was a force to be reckoned with. In an unforgettable performance against Shelby County in Elizabethtown’s season opener, Barbour put on a show to remember, pouring in 38 memorable points and setting a tone for the rest of the season.
He dunked 5 times, including once when he took the ball around his back to avoid a steal, and then flew from almost the free throw line to throw down a monster jam on a Shelby County opponent. He also performed admirably in the clutch, knocking down a three-pointer with 9 seconds left to send the game into overtime in which the Panthers prevailed 119-108. Since then, Antwain Barbour has played the best basketball nobody’s heard of.
He stands out on a team that features fellow stars Nathan Sexton and Chris Williams who sometime steal his spotlight, a spotlight Barbour so richley deserves. It’s a rarity that Barbour hoists up more than 10 shots a game, but he’s somehow managed to average 20 points and 7 rebounds per contest, all the while playing out of position at power forward.
Put Barbour in a PRP uniform, and he’d be a top-10 recruit nationally. Let him shoot the ball 30 times a game, and he leads the state in scoring. If he played for a Louisville or Lexington team, he’d bea shoe-in for Mr. Basketball. But still, it doesn’t answer the question: Why is Bellarmine only offering him an opportunity to walk-on?
The Knights are a solid team, but with its current tallent, the Knights will remain stranded in the frusturating ocean of mediocrity . That is, unless they start recruiting athletic players that can play with the likes of the Kentucky Wesleyans and Southern Indianas of Division II.
Barbour has unlimited potential and a tremendous upside. He’s now a 6’5 gazelle who moves up and down the court effortlessly. He’s silky smooth, and has the best body control around the rim of anybody in the state. His 40-inch vertica is unparalleled--in a game last week against Breckinridge County (a game in which Bellarmine Assistant Ian Patrick attended), he took a lob from a teammate, and, his elbows, no joke, were above the rim as he slammed the ball down on an opponent’s head.
Barbour would undoubtedly thrive in the Knight’s wide-open attack. Put him in a half-court setting and he may get lost, but throw him into a run-and-gun team and you’ve got yourself the next Vince Carter.
So I’m crying out to some college coach out there (are you listening, Coach Just?) who wants a superstar. Give this kid a scholarship. At least give him a chance. After all, after being slighted so many times in his career, it’s time Antwain Barbour gets the recognition he deserves." - The Concord, Bellarmine College