The hometown Knicks won’t have a representative playing in Sunday’s big game in New Orleans, but New York did have an All-Star in the NBA’s weekend showcase Saturday.
The Bronx’ own Andre Barrett, a former Rice High School standout and four-year starter at Seton Hall, was named to the NBA D-League All-Star team. The 5-10 point guard, who joined the Bakersfield Jam in December after being released by the Chicago Bulls at the start of the season, finished with 11 points and a game-high seven assists in 23 minutes of action for the Blue Team.
Barrett matched NBA veteran and Red Team All-Star Randy Livingston in dishes, but got the most important assist of the day, as his team walked away with a 117-99 victory at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
The minor league All-Star game served as a precursor to the Saturday Night festivities, which included the Slam-Dunk contest and the Three-Point Shootout. More importantly for the players, including Barrett, it served as a chance to put on a show for NBA executives and scouts with hopes of inking a contract for the playoff push.
“It was great to get this kind of exposure and to play in front of a big crowd of NBA fans. Hopefully a return to the league will follow,” said Barrett, who will turn 26 next Thursday. “The NBDL has been great for me. I just have to keep working to get better. I’ve gotten the chance to play a lot of minutes and I’ve learned a lot about the game, and how to see the floor. It’s been a great experience coming to New Orleans and taking part in this weekend.”
With 63 games of NBA experience under his belt since joining as a free agent in 2004, Barrett has seen action with Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Toronto and Chicago. He earned All-NBA Development League First Team honors as a member of the 2005-06 Florida Flame and punched his ticket to the NBA after that stint. In January, he garnered a Performer of the Week honor and appears on the NBA radar screen.
Barrett’s stats may not have been gaudy Saturday – he went 5-of-9 from the field and swiped four steals – but he was active, both physically and verbally on the floor, setting up teammates, the way a good point guard should.
“I love Andre’s game,” said Hall of Famer and Brooklyn native Lenny Wilkens, who head coached the Blue Team. “I know he can play at the next level. They question his size, but he can play in the NBA even at that size, because of his quickness, his strength and most importantly his heart. It’s the size of his heart that makes him a special player.”
February 17th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Sean Couch says:
Barrett’s another Rice player that has that pro flavor. Andre is a mainstay on the playgrounds of NYC. He has the endorsement of the second best NBA left-handed guard in NYC history in Lenny Wilkens, the first being Tiny Nate. He would be a good pick-up for any team looking for an uptempo change of pace point guard.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Bakar says:
It’s been a bumpy pro career for Andre, but I wish him all the best. BTW, what about his contemporaries Omar Cook and Taliek Brown?
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:41 am
Catsandbeer.com says:
Dre just dropped 35 in his last D League game - I really can’t believe that he’s not good enough to be a third-string PG in the Association - I guess b/c now that he’s a vet he’d require more pay than a younger guy in the same role, but he still wouldn’t be expensive and has shown flashes a few times in his limited minutes - if only he were a couple inches taller …
February 26th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Bobby C says:
Catsandbeer.com,
Dre is awesome. He, like many other diminutive cats, just needs a shot — and a chance to log some minutes. He certainly could be a third-string PG in the L. Hell, he could help the Knicks. I think he’s better than Nate. But, hell, anyway could help the Knicks these days.
Baker, I agree. I wish Dre all the luck in the world. He’s a hard worker and gave up some dough to stay state side and try to make it back to the NBA.
Thanks for reading.
Peace
-BC