South Side’s Barford demanding D1 attention
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Jackson native Jaylen Barford is making the most out of his situation. After graduating from South Side, only a handful of big name basketball schools were interested. That’s not the case anymore. After one year of community college, the sophomore is turning schools away. “I’d probably have to leave Tennessee,” Barford said. “Even though I don’t want to, I’ll have to leave.” Barford is attracting the nation’s top universities after an impressive freshman season at Motlow State Community College in Middle Tennessee. The former Hawk averaged 20.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals per game last season. His dynamic numbers have also given him a new title. “The number one player in the nation in junior college (Class of 2016),” his former high school coach Damonn Fuller said. The rising star is used to playing on a bigger stage. Barford led South Side to its first state championship in 2014. “He wants to finish what he started,” Fuller added. “He had a little adversity coming out of high school, but he pulled it all together.” Barford decided to use the adversity to his advantage. “Running around with a chip on my shoulder because I had to go to junior college,” Barford said. “It’s a struggle sometimes. It’s worth it because you learn a lot more and get more experience in junior college.” Barford’s long list of schools to choose from hasn’t changed his ultimate goal. “Trying to make it to the NBA like every other basketball player in the world,” Barford said. The former Hawk is on the right track with offers from schools such as Auburn, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Alabama and Texas to name a few. Coach Fuller says he’s just getting started. “The ceiling,” Fuller smiled. “He’s not even close.” Barford will make his decision between August and early September, so he can focus strictly on having another great season. His unofficial top three choices are Texas, LSU and Xavier.
