05 Player to Watch: Rasheem Barrett

Go to a gym without any prior knowledge of who 6-foot-5, 200 pound junior prospect Rasheem Barrett is and take a look at the court. It won’t take long to point out the Atlanta Marist stud. Built like a NFL All-Pro, Barrett was one of the most electrifying players in the state of Georgia this year. And high majors know it. They’ve seen the manchild up close this season.

Barrett is a chiseled wing that can do a little bit of everything on the court. The No. 68 player on the Rivals100 for the class of 2005 averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, four assists and three blocks a game in his junior campaign but right now, those numbers don’t mean too much to him.

He and his Marist teammates are coming off a tough loss in the state playoffs. Barrett said he’s still feeling the burn of “the best box and one defense I’ve ever seen.” He did manage to score 21 points. At any rate, a week removed from the loss, the thought being beaten is still stings him.

“That game hurt bad. I’m going to take it everywhere. It will be with me for the rest of my life. I just hate to lose.”

That losing feeling won’t be around for long. He will attend the prestigious Nike All-American camp this summer as well as teaming up with the Georgia Stars AAU program for a second go round.

“It should be a lot of fun,” Barrett said of being invited to the swoosh-sponsored All-American camp. “I want to be able to go out there and just do what I can do and keep learning along the way. My dad told me when I was young that I just have to keep playing hard and improve each time I step out onto the court.”

After hooking up with the Stars last season, Barrett was introduced to a new brand of hoops. He says it has changed the way he plays the game.

“It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Barrett said. It’s been a wonderful experience because I’ve never really been outside the state of Georgia before. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of basketball. I got a lot of confidence from playing with them and I’m much more mature now. That really came through this season.”

Georgia, Georgia Tech and Marquette all saw Barrett in game situations this season and Florida, Florida State, NC State and Wake Forest have been corresponding via the United States Postal Service.

“It’s really early so I don’t really have any favorites right now. I’m just enjoying it. I do want to stay close in the East so my family can come see me play.”

Barrett has the skills and physical abilities that should make him one of the most sought after players in the Southeast and perhaps the country. He’s still developing as a player. With a strong run during the evaluation period this spring and summer, Barrett could become a five-star player.

Stay tapped into RivalsHoops for AAU basketball beginning in March.