The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/592698
2015-16 WOLFPACK BASKETBALL PREVIEW ■ Anthony "Cat" Barber 12 • G Jr. • Newport News, Va. • 6-2 • 190 Analysis: Barber blossomed during the final third of last season, aver- aging 15.3 points and 4.0 assists per game over the final 14 contests of the year, and emerged as one of the best guards in the ACC. He will look to build off that success in 2015-16 and is regarded as the team's leader going into the season. Barber has worked on his three-point shot in the offsea- son to become a consistent shooter, which would compliment his speed and penetration abilities. He also has excellent perimeter defensive skills. Career Highlights: Started all but two games as a sophomore and was third on the team in scoring at 12.1 points per game … Had a career- high 34 points in the Pack's ACC Tournament win over Pittsburgh … Also had 28 points at Wake Forest and 23 points at Georgia Tech during the conference slate … Started 18 games as a freshman and was third on the team in scoring at 8.5 points per game … Had a season-high 22 points against North Carolina Central in his first career start … Had a personal- best eight assists versus East Carolina … Regarded by Rivals.com as the No. 5 point guard and No. 27 overall player in the 2013 class … Selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, where he had 11 points and four assists in 18 minutes … Became the 17th Wolfpack recruit to play in the prestigious all-star game … Averaged 20.2 points per game as a senior and broke former Wake Forest guard Tony Rutland's career scoring record for the Peninsula District with 2,097 points … Played AAU ball for Boo Williams. Coach's Corner: "He's a much more confident and efficient three- point shooter, and that changes everything for him because he is so quick and has got great speed." — Mark Gottfried Personal: Given Barber's quickness, one might assume his nickname "Cat" is due to his athleticism, but his older sister gave it to him when he was younger. STATISTICS Year G-GS MPG PPG RPG APG FG% 3FG% FT% 2013-14 36-18 24.2 8.5 2.0 3.5 40.1 26.1 69.6 2014-15 35-33 31.7 12.1 3.3 3.7 43.9 38.0 73.3 Ten Questions With Anthony Barber What was the last movie you saw in the theater? "Straight Outta Compton." Who is the worst dancer on the team? Shaun Kirk. What is your ideal vacation destination? Hawaii. Who is your favorite current NC State football player? Pharoah McKever. What is your favorite spot on NC State's campus? The training room. What is your biggest pet peeve? Stepping on my shoes. Who is the best player right now in the NBA? LeBron James. What is your favorite arena that you have played in out- side of NC State? Bulls Arena. Who is the best player you've played against? West Virginia guard Juwan Staten. If you were given one last meal, what would it be? Pizza. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 66 ■ THE WOLFPACKER