Barro Chooses A School

Ousmane Barro, a 6-foot-10, 232-pound power forward/center from Julian High School in Chicago, Illinois, committed to Marquette tonight, according to head coach Loren Jackson.

Barro picked Marquette over UNLV and Iowa State. "Coach Crean (Tom) does a great job working with guys individually and getting them better," Jackson said. "There's a need for him at Marquette plus they will be close to me and my family."

Barro has lived with Jackson and his family since coming from Africa to the United States a few years ago. Chicago is roughly about an hour and a half from Milwaukee.

"Marquette is going to lose Scott Merritt and Terry Sanders," Jackson said. "And Ousmane gives them an athletic post player. He is comfortable with the coaching staff. And they have a real need for him."

Barro is not eligible to play this year at Julian High School. Last year Ousmane attempted to earn his GED in Liberal, Kansas in anticipation of enrolling in Seward County Community College. However, Barro left Liberal and returned to Chicago this past summer. He re-enrolled at Julian in an effort to complete his core and test requirements.

Because he is not able to play with Julian High School, Barro is competing in a men's league this winter and in another one in the spring. Jackson estimated that Barro will play 18 games this winter and 18 more games this spring.

"He is just trying to work and get better," Jackson said. "When he spent last year in Liberal his basketball skills did not improve."