Prospect Spotlight: Mike Barker (2019)
After graduating early and heading to Quakerdale Prep, 6-foot-1 guard Mike Barker continues to emerge as one of the Iowa’s most intriguing prospects.
What’s most fascinating about the Class of 2019 guard is his massive 6-foot-9 wingspan, and explosive athleticism to pair.
“I’m an energy-type player, and I think I surprise some people sometimes with the way I dunk because I’m a shorter player,” said Barker. “And I just like to take what the defense gives me. If you give me too much space, I’ll shoot, if you sag off me, I’ll get to the hoop.”
Barker arrived at Quakerdale Prep after a year spend at Woodward Academy. Prior to his season at Woodward, he was playing high school ball in his native Oakland, CA.
“I was a troubled kid in California, so I got sent to Woodward Academy,” said Barker.
He said being at Woodward helped him with structure, “behavior-wise, it just kept me organized. I would get up in the morning and workout everyday. It just kept me straight and helped me focus on basketball”
When Barker was in Oakland, he played in the post, and learned some toughness from that experience. Now, he’s continuing to cultivate a guard skill-set, and his ball-handling and shooting are areas of emphasis.
With his athleticism and length, it seems just a matter of time before he starts gaining some serious college attention.
Some JuCos, Iowa Western and Indian Hills, are looking at him right now. He says North Dakota has come down and watched him play.
“Goals I have for myself are to leave (Quakerdale) with a D1 offer, whether that’s a small D1 or a big D1, it doesn’t really matter to me,” said Barker. “And another goal is to develop a better handle with the ball, other than that, I’d say my game is pretty set.”
Here’s some early season highlights from Barker’s Quakerdale Prep campaign