One of South Alabama’s newest point guards is another in a long line of Texas-based players. After finishing his high school career, Barrington Stevens spent a season at a prep school in Connecticut before signing with the Jaguars in April. He spoke with USAJaguars.com about how that year in prep school helped him and which one of his current teammates was a neighbor in Texas.
When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing when I was about five years old. When I was a kid, I had a Michael Jordan backboard and a goal in my back yard. My dad put the basketball in my hand – he loved basketball and made sure I was going to love it too.
Describe your journey to get to South Alabama
It’s been a rocky road. In my junior year I broke my foot which jumbled up my recruiting so I had to basically start from scratch for my senior year. After my senior year I played on an unsigned senior team to try to get more looks and ended up going to St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Conn., had a good season there and Coach Arrow showed me some love, came up and visited and that’s how I ended up here. I’ve been a lot of places – I was born in Charlotte, moved to Maryland, Virginia, Florida and Texas.
How do you think your experience at prep school help prepare you for Division I basketball?
First of all, it helped me mature a lot being away from home – a long way from home – and it’s not at the same level as junior college, but the players are just as good. A lot of the players in our league were projected to be one-and-dones in college and some could have gone straight into the NBA, if that were legal. Playing against those guys really helped because of the speed of the game and the strength and size of the players, I won’t be shocked when I get out on the court – I’ll be prepared for it.
Do you think spending a year away from home in Connecticut will help you adjust better to college life?
Spending a year at prep school has helped me a lot because I’m not really worried about being away from my parents that much anymore. It won’t be that hard to do what I’m supposed to do here and do what I’m supposed to do in the classroom.
What will be your biggest adjustment to the college game?
Slowing the game down, because the speed of the game at this level is faster. So what you have to learn to do is, when the guards are pressuring you, be poised and not get rattled at all. Continue to play the way you’ve always been playing.
Why did you choose South Alabama?
I liked the style of play and the competition that we’re going to be playing is going to be top notch. The program is really moving up.
Coach Arrow has a strong connection to the state of Texas – how much did that help in the recruiting process?
It helped a lot. Actually, the host on my visit was Javier (Carter). I just found out a few weeks ago that we literally lived five minutes away from each other. He’s from McKinney and I lived in Allen, Texas. So we hit it off right from the beginning. You can easily relate to the players and coaches on the team and it’s not like you’re all that far away from home.
How much did having four other Texas natives influence your decision to come to South Alabama?
It made me feel better because they’re people that knew and I was comfortable being around them.
What do you try to accomplish during the offseason workouts?
Just getting faster and stronger and getting better overall. Try to become a more consistent shooter and prepare for the season.
How do the workouts and pick-up games help the team bond?
It helps us get used to each other – our tendencies, stuff like that. Playing with each other, we learn who likes the ball in different spots and situations, so playing together helps us get more comfortable. We’re developing a better camaraderie that will help us going in to Canada.
How do you feel about the upcoming trip to Canada?
I’m excited. We originally were talking about going to Costa Rica or the Bahamas, and that would have been great, but we’re looking at this like business. We’re going up there to handle business, but it will be a good experience anyway going to another country, which is something I’ve never done before.
What are you looking to get out of the extra practices and games?
It will help me a lot as a freshman get used to the game in game situations rather than going through practice over and over. Practice helps, but it’s not an actual game situation. This trip will help me get ready for the regular season.
When people watch you play, what kind of player do they see?
They’re going to see a fast, quick point guard that can shoot and penetrate, get his teammates open, be unselfish and do whatever it takes to win.
What do you consider to be the strongest part of your game?
Breaking people down and getting to the spots I want to get to on the court. I can also shoot pretty well too.
Other than basketball what are some of the things you’re into off the court?
Hanging with my friends and playing video games – I play (NBA) 2K quite a bit. I like going to the movies too.
What are your expectations of yourself this season?
To come in and contribute the best I can, whether my role is starting or coming off the bench. Whatever my role is, I’ll be comfortable with it. As a freshman, I want to learn and progress as the season goes on, and do the same thing going from a freshman to a sophomore, and so on.
Quick hits:
Favorite NBA team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Favorite college team growing up: UNC Tar Heels
Favorite sport other than basketball: College football
Favorite musical artist: Kendrick Lamar
Favorite class: English
Favorite movie: Friday
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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