May 8, 2009
Barbour will be a Lion
About 25 years ago, some kid out of Hawaii graduated from Columbia University in New York City. As best we can tell, nobody predicted greatness for the young man, let alone ultimate political triumph. Yes, Barack Obama confounded and surprised many, friends and foes alike. On an obviously much smaller scale and a vastly different terrain, Monte Vista High and MVP/Lakeshow player, Brian Barbour -- now headed to Obama’s alma mater -- achieved a similar accomplishment in 2008-2009.
Barbour emerged as a solid recruit last summer
Barbour is one of those players who doesn’t pass the eye test, the so-called qualifications or prerequisites ‘necessary’ for on-court success. Yet all he and Bill Powers’ basketball squad at Monte Vista (MV) have done is win. The 2008-2009 Mustang 28-4 schedule offers victories over Folsom (twice), Bellarmine Prep, St. Mary’s, Archbishop Moeller, Castro Valley, San Leandro and Newark Memorial. In what turned out to be MV’ game of the season, eventual state championship participant McClymonds won by three points.
Here’s Powers on his protégé: "He has the ability to calm everyone around him down, is deceptively quick and has a great understanding about changing speeds. Brian is also a very tough kid. He broke his nose in the first game against Folsom and also had a sprained ankle, tendinitis and a dislocated finger this season. Brian had stitches put in over one eye during the St. Mary’s game and then came back to go 8-8 from the foul line."
Powers added, "I am so proud of him, his mixing of talent with hard work. As a person, he’s twice as good as he is a player."
Recognition of Barbour began picking up during last summer’s MVP/Lakeshow club team play. Here MVP/Lakeshow Coach Joe Fuca on his leader: "It became apparent to the college scouts that we had a real special player last July in the Final 4 of the Three Stripes Adidas tournament in Los Angeles. We were behind by eight points to the LA’s "I Can All Stars" with one minute left and Brian took over the game. He nailed a three-pointer from deep outside the arc, stole the inbounds pass and drove for a layup and got fouled for a three-point play, only to steal the ball on the next possession and go the distance to score. He tied the game and pushed us into overtime. There was no doubt on the circuit afte
Fuca continued, "Brian led our team to several big wins on the circuit last summer and the scouts took notice. His ability to lead a team by giving his teammates the ball at the right time, making the steal at the right time, making the big shot, and being reliable at the free throw line in finishing up games is superb."
So why did Barbour go with Columbia? "I really liked the players and the coaching staff. It was a friendly environment. Columbia plays in a tough league and the education is good."
Barbour visited UC Riverside (which resulted in an offer) and made the decision to attend Columbia just prior to tripping to Moraga and St. Mary’s, which was then canceled.
When queried about his hoop strengths and weaknesses, Barbour offered, "I have a good basketball IQ, see the floor and I shoot pretty well" about the former and "I want to be a better defender, improving my strength and quickness" on the latter.
Here’s Fuca again, "Brian is the classic result of hard work away from the game. He is one of those players who consistently works on his game away from actual games. He spends countless hours in the gym and in working on his speed and agility. In today’s era, players have to get better each off season."
So now it is on to playing for Coach Joe Jones on Broadway in the Big Apple.
Plus think about this: having the opportunity to rub elbows with a former President of the United States, among others, during alumni get-togethers. Maybe a Barbour invite to shoot around at the to-be-built White House basketball court will be in the offing plus a comparative take of their respective effect on others around them.