Former Vandal guard Stacey Barr reached the Grand Final Series of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) earlier this month with the Australian-based Perth Lynx.
After a distinguished senior season at the University of Idaho in 2015, Barr signed a one-year contract to play basketball in Australia with the Lynx – the only professional team representing the western half of the continent.
Barr was part of a Lynx roster that took the WNBL by surprise this winter, as the organization reached the Grand Final Series after posting a 16-8 record.
The former University of Idaho standout helped the team reach the championship series for the first time in 17 years.
The Lynx eventually fell to the Townsville Fire in the championship, losing consecutive games in the best-of-three series to drop the title.
Barr’s transition from college star to professional appeared unchallenging for the former Idaho playmaker.
Barr scored 618 points during her senior season with the Vandals and posted an average of 21.3 points per game under head coach Jon Newlee.
“I think playing for Jon, we find the kids for our system,” Idaho associate head coach Christa Sanford said. “I think Stacey just flourished because she knew that she could pretty much do what she needed to do with the ball in her hands. She had the freedom to score.”
The senior earned a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American honorable mention after draining 74 3-pointers for the Vandals, setting a program record of 268 treys during her career.
“A lot of our sets got her the ball and set up prime opportunities for her,” Sanford said. “She’s a great player and was a scorer out of high school when we got her.”
Sanford said Newlee helped Barr develop a path to professional basketball.
“Jon was involved in her decision,” Sanford said. “He kind of helped her along and got her an agent.”
Perth Lynx head coach Andy Stewart said Barr’s signing was important for team versatility.
“She’s obviously a great scorer who can make her own shot – this is evident by what she’s achieved in college,” Stewart said during a June interview with the Herald Sun. “She’s a player in high demand.”
Barr saw the court in 25 games for the Lynx, amassing a total of 55 minutes of game time.
The rookie shot 5-19 from the field during the 2015-2016 season and provided 13 points for the Lynx. The former Vandal also collected ten rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Barr and the Lynx were unable to be reached for comment.
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom
(Photo courtesy of Idaho Athletic Media Relations)