In Reply to: Also, Barker and Londynn Jones* posted by BruinofHouston on April 10, 2025 at 10:13:09
a real demonstration of how much the game has changed in just the last several years. Still, probably not surprising. The women's game doesn't generate the same high level of pay for even decent players as does the men's game. So it shouldn't be surprising that two highly publicized players might want to cash in on their last year of college eligibility.
Barker will instantly become the celebrated (and paid) leader of the front line of almost any school in the country to which she transfers. Jones was likely looking at a reduction in PT and role next year, especially with Leger-Walker and Bilic coming in next season. Good luck to them both.
Still, it's a real shock - I believe Barker would have been a starter next season and our top sub at center as well. Perhaps she felt that Sienna Betts might have the talent to supplant her in both areas before the end of next season.
The challenge facing Cori Close is a big one: she needs just a couple support players for next season - a serviceable post would be really helpful and a support guard. But after next season we lose all that are left from the epic recruiting class of 2022 - Lauren Betts, Rick, Jaquez, Gardiner (Jones and Barker already leaving now) plus Leger-Walker (after having spent a year healing from her own injury) and Dugalic should she return next year, both the latter two from the class of '21.
The only likely leaders remaining from that crew are Sienna Betts and Bilic, the incoming freshman from I believe Croatia. That leaves only Amanda Muse still on the roster as well.
So Close has to recruit a ton for the near future, just the season after next. That while everyone knows recruits that come in next year aren't looking at a great deal of playing time their first year here. Quite the challenge.
Guess I shouldn't be so surprised at the news - lots of logical reasons for it - but still a shock especially to see Barker moving on