Back In The Fold

Quin Barnard talks about rejoining the Huskies // By Mason Kelley

By Washington Huskies

February 11^th, 2019

Washington’s starting five was clustered on the sideline toward the end of practice. Their attention was fixed on the floor. The Huskies’ second unit was locked into a fierce battle with the program’s walk-ons and the group watching was cheering as if this scrimmage was the waning minutes of an NCAA tournament game.

After scoring a few quick buckets, Quin Barnard brought the ball up floor. He was guarded by freshman Elijah Hardy. As he sprinted down the court, Barnard quickly shifted gears. He stepped back, jumped and fired a deep three-pointer.

Splash.

He made the shot. The gym went wild.

“No one on the team treats anyone differently, just because you’re a walk-on or the best player on the team, you have guys like David Crisp running all over the gym, going crazy, Matisse (Thybulle), same thing, just cheering and that’s awesome to see,” Barnard said.

For walk-ons like Barnard, those moments make all the behind-the-scenes work worth it. Those practices aren’t seen by the fans, but they’re special for the players. And seeing teammates like Crisp and Thybulle make those experiences meaningful, creates an environment where the program’s walk-ons ensure they return the favor during games.

“We do the same for them,” Barnard said. “It’s cool to see they care that much. It makes you feel like they want you here.”

When asked about that step-back three, Barnard laughed. In a fitting twist, Hardy walked into the gym at the same time to get up some shots as Barnard was answering the question.

“That’s the way I played in high school,” he said. “I don’t get to do that very often, so it’s nice.”

A standout at O’Dea High School, Barnard said he originally planned to play at the University of San Diego. But, in the back of his mind, he wanted an opportunity with the Huskies.

“I kind of always knew, if I continued to get better, I had a chance to come here,” Barnard said.

When former coach Lorenzo Romar invited Barnard to join the program, he didn’t hesitate.

“I decided that’s what I wanted to do, stay home, go to a great school and play for a school I’ve watched my whole life,” the junior said.

However, Barnard’s first year was a challenge. Going 9-22 was a difficult experience for the program and led to a coaching change. After that first season, Barnard questioned his commitment to the game.

“My freshman year was great, but it was tough, having as bad of a year as we did,” he said. “By the end of it, I was just really burned out with basketball. I didn’t think I wanted to play anymore. It’s something I had done my whole life and, for the first time, I just didn’t have the energy to do it anymore.”

Then he met Mike Hopkins.

Barnard didn’t play last season, but he watched intently. Coach Hopkins help stoke the fire that had gone dormant.

“From my first meeting with him, the energy was just so high,” Barnard said. “Within five minutes, I was like, ‘I miss this. I want to play for this guy.’ Luckily, he gave me the chance to do it.”

Watching the program from a distance last season, Barnard could see a difference.

“The energy was completely different,” he said.

And now, after a season on the sideline, Barnard is back and enjoying the game as much as he ever has, creating a few memories along the way, knocking down big shots in practice, ensuring his teammates are well prepared each time they take the floor.