Barker was born in Marietta, Georgia but grew up in Tampa, Florida.[1] Barker started her high school career Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa, Florida before transferring to Montverde Academy her senior year.[1] As a freshman in 2018–19, Barker helped Tampa Bay Technical High School team to a 24–3 record and a state title.[1] Barker led Montverde Academy (Tampa, Florida) to its first-ever GEICO High School National Championship in 2022.[2][3] Barker scored eight points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds in the national championship game.[3] Barker averaged 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds during her senior campaign, while shooting 50% from the field and 35% from deep.[3] In her senior year Barker was named in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association high school All-American team.[4] She also played in both the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic.[1]
Recruiting
Barker was considered a five-star recruit and was ranked third in the 2022 class by ESPN.[5] Barker committed to playing college basketball for Texas A&M Aggies over offers from Georgia Lady Bulldogs, becoming the highest ranked recruit in program history.[5][6]
College career
In her freshman season at Texas A&M, Barker started 7 games for the aggies, averaging 22.8 minutes a game.[3][7] She put up a career-high 24 points against Georgia, shooting 10-of-11 (90.9%) from the field in just 20 minutes of action after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.[8] As a freshman, Barker averaged 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per match.[9] In her sophomore season, Barker recorded eight double-doubles, averaging 12.2 points and 7.6 boards in 30 games played as a sophomore.[7] Barker was named to the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll, and she was on the 2023 Katrina McClain Award Watchlist.[10] For her junior season Barker transferred to UCLA.[11][12]
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