After a recent NBA tryout, University of Saskatchewan basketball star Jamelle Barrett reflets on the experience in an exclusive interview with the Sheaf.

In the last two seasons of men’s varsity basketball at the University of Saskatchewan, point guard Jamelle Barrett stood above the rest.

Not physically, of course, as his 5-foot-10 frame made him the shortest player on the Huskies team last year, but in terms of his very large role with the squad.

Barrett became a two-time CIS first team all-Canadian, a two-time Canada West MVP, a two-time Canada West first team all-star and a CIS national tournament all-star during his time with the Huskies. Last year alone in the Canadian university ranks he finished among the top six players in both points and assists, averaging 21 points and 6.9 helpers per game.

All his hard work didn’t go unnoticed by professional scouts as Barrett received a call from the NBA’s Sacramento Kings earlier this summer. He was invited to participate in a pre-draft workout with a handful of other college prospects on June 24.

The Sheaf caught up with Barrett a few days after his workout.

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Sheaf: Jamelle, congratulations on receiving a tryout with the Sacramento Kings. Unfortunately you did not get drafted, but what did it mean to you when you found out the Kings wanted to see you practice just four days before the NBA draft?

Barrett: It was special because growing up it was always the dream to play in the NBA, the highest level of basketball in the world. I’m not there yet, but it meant a lot to have that workout.

Sheaf: Growing up in Rancho Cordova, Calif. you were less than 50 miles from where Sacramento played their games. Were you a Kings fan when you were young?

Barrett: Yeah, growing up I definitely was, especially when they had players like Chris Webber and Jason Williams.

Sheaf: Did you get to play with Marcus Thornton or any of the other current Kings players while you were there?

Barrett: No, at the workout it was only me and other college prospects. We did drills and scrimmaged for about two and a half hours. I have played with some of the current players before though, and I have a few friends who play for the Kings.

Sheaf: Were you able to interact with Kings head coach Keith Smart at all?

Barrett: Yes, coach Smart talked to me after the workout. He told me I did well and that he would keep watching me along my journey. It was great meeting with him. When he said he would help me along my journey it opened my eyes because he thinks I can eventually play on that level. Overall the feedback was great and talking with the staff put me on their radar.

Sheaf: Were you watching intently on draft day with hopes of hearing your name?

Barrett: I was actually hanging out at a bowling alley watching the draft. Honestly, I didn’t really expect to hear my name, but I was watching to see if the Kings would take a point guard in the draft or if any of the prospects I played with got a spot.

Sheaf: So what have you been doing with the rest of your summer?

Barrett: It’s been a big summer. I signed an agent early on and he was the one who got me the workout with the Kings. Then one morning I woke up with a few offers and ended up signing a one-year deal with SAM Basket Massagno [of the Ligue Nationale de Basket] in Switzerland .

Sheaf: Wow, Switzerland, are you excited to start your professional career overseas?

Barrett: I’m excited and I’m not excited all in one. I leave for Massagno on Aug. 20 and I don’t know what to expect going over there. It’s not like the college environment that I came to in Saskatoon, and I’ll be away from my family. Overall it will be a whole different experience than what I’m used to, but I’m going to make the best of it.

Sheaf: Well it sounds like you are on the path to something big. Any final thoughts on your two seasons at the U of S?

Barrett: I loved playing there. I’m very happy I went there and got that experience. I really appreciate the whole coaching staff and my teammates for looking out for me. I can’t wait to get back up there again to visit.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf