Barrett Headed to SEC

The month of April was a key month for college recruiters. They traveled around the country and watched the top prospects in live situations. But for 6-foot-4, 210-pound guard Rasheem Barrett, he didn’t get a chance to play in front of coaches. That didn’t stop a SEC program from offering a scholarship. And that didn’t stop Barrett from committing either.

Barrett, who has been out since the Boo Williams tournament in April with a severe sprained ankle, verbally committed to the Auburn Tigers on Tuesday.

“When they came to my school, they were real nice and welcoming,” Barrett said from his team camp at Middle Tennessee State. “The situation there works out well, too. My sister is a junior there and my parents and friends came out there and see me because the campus is close enough.

“It’s a real good situation because there are eight or nine seniors graduating and I can play right away.”

Despite not seeing him, new head coach Jeff Lebo has taken the good words of Barrett’s AAU coach Norman Parker as the best recommendation.

“They haven’t even seen him play live,” Parker said. “Other than the tapes, they haven’t seen him on the court. But I’ve reassured them that they have got a great player. I highly recommended Rasheem to Coach Lebo.”

Barrett is a strong player with a great understanding of the game. Academically, he’s as good as they get, playing for Marist High School in Atlanta, one of the top schools in the Peach State.

“He’s a great pick up for them,” Parker said. “This kid is as big and strong as they get. He can play the shooting guard and the wing forward spot. He’s athletic and strong and has a great mid range game. He’s one of the few guys in the country that you have to really respect when it comes to a mid range shot.”

As a junior, Barrett averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.