Former BYU guard Alex Barcello is now eyeing an expert profession and labored out for the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. Courtesy Utah Jazz
BYU guard Alex Barcello (runs down a free ball as BYU and Westminster play on the Marriott Middle in Provo on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the previous BYU guard displayed his abilities for Utah Jazz brass. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
Alex Barcello is lower than two months away from one of many largest days of his life — his marriage ceremony day.
As if getting ready and planning for a marriage isn’t sufficient, Barcello additionally has fairly a number of different issues on his plate, like getting ready for the 2022 NBA draft, flying throughout the nation to work out for NBA groups and participate in professional day showcases, staying updated along with his agent, interviewing with NBA executives and persevering with to coach and enhance.
“It’s undoubtedly been emotional,” the BYU guard mentioned Tuesday after participating in a pre-draft exercise for the Utah Jazz. “We’re getting married proper after Summer time League on the finish of July. So we’re getting ready for that after which additionally, I’m simply attempting to remain up to the mark — preserve my physique proper for these exercises.”
Although Barcello has been part of pre-draft exercises and has garnered some curiosity from across the league, he’s being real looking about his expectations.
“I’m in all probability not a lottery (choose),” Barcello mentioned with amusing. “I’m gonna need to work arduous and earn all the pieces that I get and I do know that. I’ve by no means been handed something my whole life, so I feel I’m within the good spot to indicate what I’ve obtained. I’ve at all times needed to show myself wherever I went and at no matter degree that was, so why not do it right here on the highest degree?”
Everybody who's taking a look at Barcello as a prospect is aware of that they’ll be getting elite taking pictures. Throughout his three seasons with the Cougars he averaged a staggering 45.2% from 3-point vary. Jay Bilas known as Barcello “the perfect shooter within the nation” on “Faculty Sport Day” earlier this yr.
Barcello additionally has some ability off the dribble and is an efficient playmaker. However, Barcello solely initiatives to be a second-round draft choose at finest. The criticisms from NBA-level scouts are that Barcello may not have what it takes to hold with the stronger, quicker, taller gamers within the NBA.
At 6-foot-2, Barcello balks at the concept he isn’t athletic sufficient to be within the NBA, even posting a video on his Instagram just lately to show that he can dunk the ball.
“I'll by no means let anyone inform me that I can’t do one thing,” Barcello mentioned. “I’m gonna go show it. And if somebody tells me that I can’t, then I’ll attempt to show them mistaken. I’m that man that’s gonna carry toughness day by day. I’m gonna carry vitality, carry a constructive spirit and I’m gonna work arduous.”
On June 23, Barcello will know whether or not or not an NBA workforce is able to take an opportunity on him within the draft. After that, and regardless of if he's picked or not, the work won't be executed. There might be Summer time League, a marriage, coaching camp and the NBA preseason, and even then, he may not make it immediately.
“I‘m simply blissful that I've individuals like my fiancee, Zoe, and my sisters and my mother that I can rely on and lean on to assist me via this course of,” he mentioned. “I’m so grateful for (Zoe) and for individuals like that round me that may assist preserve me motivated. And that’s why I do that. That’s why I’m doing this. Hopefully I could make it to this league, on one among these groups, and simply proceed to develop from there.”
BYU guard Alex Barcello (runs down a free ball as BYU and Westminster play on the Marriott Middle in Provo on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the previous BYU guard displayed his abilities for Utah Jazz brass.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information