LOS ANGELES -- Everything happened so fast for Sparks rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker.
In March, Barker was playing in the NCAA tournament. In April, she was drafted 9th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks. And it is currently May and she’s already a few games into her WNBA career. Such is the life of a WNBA rookie.
Barker played in the University of Alabama for three years after spending two years in the University of Georgia. She was best known for putting in 45 points in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Barker was put in the starting line-up for the Sparks as injuries continued to mount for the team. She's averaging 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in seven games this season.
The Sporting Tribune caught up with Barker on Thursday before their game against the Las Vegas Aces.
THE SPORTING TRIBUNE: First of all, we’ve gotta talk about how you got the shoes from Sabrina Ionescu through Kelsey Plum. How did that feel?
SARAH ASHLEE BARKER: It was awesome with KP helping me out and just reaching out to (Sabrina). It was pretty cool. And then thank you for Sabrina because she didn’t have to do that but she did. And that was very nice of her.
TST: How has the transition been for you? Two months ago, you’re scoring 45 points in an NCAA tournament game. Now you’re in the WNBA playing for the Sparks. Has it gone too fast for you?
SAB: Yeah, it’s definitely gone by fast but I’ve got great support with family and friends that have been keeping me mentally sane, if that makes sense. So anytime I’m not on the floor or on the court or doing anything with basketball, I’m trying to do things just to kind of take my mind off it because going back-to-back seasons is a lot. But at the same time, I’m very grateful for the situation I’m in.
And I think that’s why I just carry myself with a lot of gratitude because I’m just so grateful that I get to play this game. And I’m grateful that I even got to be on a roster in the WNBA because you saw a lot of people got cut when you get drafted and so it’s not guaranteed. So very very grateful. And I think that’s the mindset that I just keep having going into the season. It’s just how grateful and how much I love the game of basketball. I love playing basketball. I love competing. And being at the highest level, it’s a lot of fun.
TST: How fitting is it that you mentioned several times that your favorite player is Kobe Bryant and now you’re here playing in L.A.?
SAB: It was actually really really cool. So when I got drafted, one of the first things that popped into my mind was Kobe, for sure, because growing up, I never really tried to model my game after Kobe, but he was my favorite player watching him play. Just the mentality that he played with and how he wanted to win at all costs. So I always tried to be that way from playing defense and offense, trying to be that two-way player. So just being able to be in the same arena with his name up there, it’s pretty surreal.
TST: How have you taken to Coach Lynne Roberts’ system?
SAB: I love it. I love what she’s trying to do. I love who she is. I love who she is as a coach. She’s demanding a lot from us because she knows that we can really do something this season and we’re just trying to put the pieces together, trying to clean some stuff up. Being able to move the ball, get the ball out, and get a lot of threes up. Then get the ball inside as well but played a really really really fast pace and that’s what I’m used to playing at when I played at Alabama. So the transition offensively for me was pretty similar because a lot of things feel similar from my college offense.
But at the same time, there are things that you learn and there’s new things and new terminology and all that kind of stuff that I’ve enjoyed learning. She’s got a great knowledge for the game of basketball. So being able to just learn and also learn from the vets has been really good.
TST: We’ve heard over and over that the physicality is different when it comes to the W but you’re a physical player yourself. Outside that physicality, what do you think so far has been, I guess, a culture shock for you in the pros?
SAB: I wouldn’t say it’s a culture shock because I knew it would be really fast coming into the WNBA, like the speed of the game. But it’s really just one of those things, like, they capitalize on any mistake or any bad read that you make. So that’s where you really do have to exert your energy on really important things and be able to read the defense at a faster rate.
And you really can’t overthink anything because everything happens so fast. So it’s like… you just did one thing offensively. Well, the next thing you know, you gotta defend and guard one of the best players in the world coming at you and stuff like that. So, really, the changeover from the mental aspect of the game of, like, you don’t have a second to gain your feelings. You don’t have a second to worry about what shot you just missed or turn the ball over because they’re coming back down so quick. So definitely just the speed of the game and how fast it comes at you.
TST: The transition from being the #1 option to becoming a role player. Not everybody takes to that but you’ve done a great job so far. How’s that been for you?
SAB: When I first got to college, I was a role player. I was a role player for pretty much for three years. Then my senior and fifth year, I took over. So I’ve been in every position, I feel like. I’ve been in a position where I’m the #1 option. I’ve been in a position where I’m the #2 option. I’ve been in a position where I’m the #5 option. So I think having that experience in college helped me get to where I am today and be okay with being in that role because at the end of the day, all I care about is winning. So whatever my role has to be to help this team win, I’m gonna do it.
And then just understanding who I’m playing with. Of course, if Kelsey Plum was open on the wing for a kickout three, you want to get her the ball. If Dearica (Hamby) is open inside, you wanna get her the ball. They put the work in. I see how hard they work with and just understanding who I’m playing with. And when I was in Georgia and Alabama, I had a great understanding of who I was playing with, too. So that definitely translated to the W. And just understanding that it’s okay to be a role player. Most of the time, the best teams in the league, they’re winning because they have the best role players. It’s not just about the star.
TST: Some (questions outside of basketball). Hobbies outside of basketball.
SAB: My faith is very important to me. So I love going to church. Anything worship-wise. Listening to music. I love pickleball. In season, I don’t play it but I do love pickleball. And I’m a beach girl so anytime I can sit out in the sun, I just want to be outside because we’re always inside with the game of basketball. Anytime I can walk outside and kind of go walk or whatever, I really enjoy doing it.
I’ve actually wanted to get into cooking a little bit. My boyfriend’s a really good cook so I’m making him teach me. *laughs*
TST: What are you watching these days?
SAB: I’m gonna be honest; I’m not someone who watches a bunch of TV or anything like that. I really kinda just watch sports. And especially in season, when I have time to watch stuff, I’m watching the WNBA and watching other teams play. And then the opponent that we’re gonna play, I watch a lot of their games, too.
I like movies more than shows. I like to watch rom-coms. I love sports movies. Facing The Giants is one of my favorite movies of all-time. I actually just watched Lilo & Stitch the other day. That was really fun. I enjoyed watching that.
TST: Favorite food?
SAB: Probably Mexican food. Either Mexican or breakfast.
TST: There’s a lot here! You know that.
SAB: I know. And I actually had sushi from L.A. yesterday for the first time. It was the best sushi I’ve ever had. It was great.
TST: We’ll talk sushi some other time. What song from your playlist would surprise people the most?
SAB: Song from my playlist… maybe Unwritten. By Natasha Bedingfield. It’s like one of those things when I want to get in a good mood, I play that song for sure.
TST: Favorite thing so far in L.A.
SAB: Probably the beach. And the food is great.
TST: Any guilty pleasures?
SAB: I love ice cream. I could eat ice cream all the time.
TST: Who would play you in a movie about your life?
SAB: Oh, goodness. Maybe Jennifer Aniston?
TST: What would you like to be remembered by?
SAB: Somebody that is hard-working and cares for other people. Loves the game of basketball and gave it her all. At the end of the day, is doing it for Jesus, and that’s all that matters.
TST: You mentioned your faith. What are some of the passages that inspire you the most?
SAB: Definitely Isaiah 41:10. In that verse, it talks about how the Lord will strengthen me, He will help me, and He will guide me with His righteous hand. I went through an injury at the beginning of the SEC play this year. And so that was kind of the verse that really stuck with me and it still sticks with me. Then Proverbs 3:5-6 talks about trust the Lord with all your heart. Lean not only on our understanding but on His. That’s something I grew up with; it’s my mom’s favorite verse so she would always tell us that verse.
Matthew 19:26. You know, with God, all things are possible. Those are the three I really like. And then Philippians 4:13; I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Isaiah 41:10 is definitely the verse that’s really stuck with me the past year.