"The type of basketball I want to play and type of places that I fit, I knew that from the start, he said of Europe. This is a lot closer (in style) to college than the NBA. It is a lot more tactical. It is faster out here than college because of the 24-second shot clock. But the NBA is faster. Here you have guys who have different skillsets. We run the same exact defense we ran in college."
"Barrett had to be patient after his career ended in college. Obviously I knew the goal was to get somewhere and play overseas, to play pro and keep playing basketball somewhere, said Barrett, who averaged 36.5 minutes, 9.8 points and 6.8 boards per game last season while starting all 35 games for the Gaels. I didn't want to think about it until my St. Mary's career was over."
"The 6-foot-6 Barrett is playing for Arka in Gdynia, a city in northern Poland along the Baltic Sea where the home arena holds about 5,500 fans. The club provides him, at no expense, an apartment and car a typical arrangement for former Division I NCAA players competing in Europe. He averaged 12.5 minutes and 4.3 points per contest in his first four pro games in Poland."
Luke Barrett transitioned from walk-on at St. Mary's to a professional career in Poland after five years in Moraga. He plays at 6-foot-6 forward for Arka Gdynia, whose arena seats about 5,500. The club provides an apartment and car at no cost, a common arrangement for former Division I players in Europe. Barrett averaged 12.5 minutes and 4.3 points in his first four Polish games. He describes European basketball as closer to college: more tactical, faster because of the 24-second shot clock, featuring diverse skillsets, and running similar defensive schemes to his college team. He waited months after college to secure representation and opportunities.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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