Name: Jon Barton

 

Class: 2025

 

Height: 6'4

 

High School: St. John's College

 

GPA: 3.3

 

AAU: New World HGSL

 

A veteran of the notorious WCAC, class of 2025 prospect Jon Barton has seen his recruitment skyrocket over the past few months. Barton flat out does everything to help his team win. Whether it's guarding the best player on the other team, facilitating out of the post, diving on the floor for a loose ball, or knocking down a timely jumper, Barton is a coach's dream. 

 

I recently caught up with Jon to discuss his recruitment, the HGSL, and plans for July!

 

(Q) WL: Jon, you've recently picked up your first two offers from Radford and Fordham. What has that experience been like? 

 

(A) JB:  Oh, it's been really good, great to see coaches believing in me, I felt like my whole life, I've always been an underdog. Coaches are picking up on the little things that I do, rebound, make the extra pass, playing defense, guarding the best player. I'm thankful to all the schools taking a chance on me!

 

(Q) WL: What schools have been in contact with you?

 

(A) JB: Coaches that I'm talking to currently are, Mount Saint Mary's, Howard, Radford, Fordham, George Mason, UNCG, Towson, Iona, NJIT, Hampton, Merrimack, New Hampshire, UMASS-Lowell, it's been a lot, I am very thankful.

 

(Q) WL: What are you looking for in a school at the next level?

 

(A) JB: I'm the type of guy that chooses a school based on the relationship with the coach over the name of the school. So I don't really care about the name as long as the coach staff is looking out for me, making me more of a man after I leave, helping me prepare for life, because the balls are going to stop dribbling one day, and I have to get ready for my real world. So just make it - I'm coming in as a young man and coming out as a man.
 

(Q) WL: How's it kinda been playing with New World HGSL so far this year?

 

(A) JB: It's been really good. Like I said before I felt like I was kinda an underdog and coach Rick, shoutout to him, he said that a lot of people just recognize my defense, but he took a chance on me offensively. He kinda runs the offense through me, and he keeps developing me, training me, night in and night out. His goal has been to make my offensive game as good as my defensive game. Coach Rick said my defense can only take me so far, but coaches need to see that I can score the ball as well too. He saw something in me, so I decided to play with him, and I'm showcasing what I can really do all because of him.

 

(Q) WL: How would you describe your game? What are some of your strengths?

 

(A) JB: I'm a workhorse. Like, I'll do anything on the court. Like, I'll literally guard 1 through 5,  I don't mind as long as we win. Another strength of mine  is rebounding, I rebound the hell out of the ball. I also take pride in being a great teammate,  I'm a captain on my varsity basketball team, I lift all my teammates up, I'm not a guy that believes in negative energy.

 

(Q) WL: What's something we should know about Jon Barton off the court? 

 

(A) JB: Jon Barton is a hard worker on and off the court. I have a motivation behind why I play basketball and do everything I do. It's deeper than just the 5 on 5 between those lines. I have a motivation, I'm not gonna get too deep into it, but everything I do is  for somebody, and I just play hard, go hard in everything I do for her.

 

Jon is coming off a strong showing in the scholastic live periods with his St. John's squad. Since the time of this interview Jon has picked up additional scholarship offers from Towson, Howard, NJIT, & Iona. Coaches can see Jon & New World HGSL this July at Atlantic City Jam Fest (July 10-12) & Summer Jam Fest/HGSL Finals at Spooky Nook PA (July 13-14).