Each and every time Phenom Hoop Report gets to report or sees a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day. It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player.
Here is the latest commitment.
Player: Andy Barba
Class: 2021
Committed to: Duquesne
What the Player Said:
Q: Why was Duquesne the place for you ultimately?
Barba: In the end, Duquesne was the place for me for a few reasons. First, I want to win, and I believe that Coach Dambrot has really turned Duquesne around and they are going to continue to trend upward. Secondly, I chose Duquesne because I know that Coach Dambrot will push me. I want to go somewhere that will challenge me and will make me the best player I can be in order to play professionally at the highest level I can. Third, I chose Duquesne because of my comfort there. I know and have played with a few of the players on the team, and have become especially close with Mike Bekelja since he was at ISA last year with me. I also like that Duquesne as a city. And lastly, I like Duquesne because from an academic standpoint because I believe that I can achieve my goals and learn a lot from their business school.
Q: Sounds like you have a great relationship with the staff. How has it been and how has it grown since they started recruiting you?
Barba: It’s been great getting to know the staff. I originally was being recruited by them in my sophomore year, but the recruitment started back up again recently. At first, they were recruiting me more behind the scenes through my high school coach and my father, but we really began to build our relationship about a month ago. They were one of the last schools to jump into the mix, but they made the best impression on me and I am really excited.
Q: What is it about your game that they loved so much?
Barba: I believe that they really like my ability to shoot it and my ability to guard the 2-4.
Q: What will be your focus now with your game and getting ready for the next level?
Barba: My main focus is to get stronger and to improve the quickness of my release. So far, I’ve gone from 188 pounds to 210 pounds since spring and I’ve worked a lot to get my shot quicker. I’ve been watching a lot of Duncan Robinson, JJ Reddick, and Khris Middleton film as well.
What Was Said by Phenom Hoops:
“Barba plays incredibly smooth and oozes confidence with his outside game, as he showcased his perimeter shooting on multiple occasions. But much like what his coach said, he is much more than just a shooter on the court. Sporting a strong 6’6 frame, his athleticism, IQ, and ability to impact the game outside of shooting is what brings even more intrigue.” – Patrick O’Brien in 2020
“I would describe myself as an all-around player who can space the floor with my shot, can make my teammates better with my passing, can get out in transition, and can guard multiple positions on the floor.” – Andy Barba in 2020
“Barba’s blend of size and smooth, confident stroke was unbelievable. You were at times more shocked that he missed than he made on Day 2. Whether it was from spotting up from three or one-dribble pull-ups, his shot was falling all night long.” – Phenom’s Country Roads