There are so so many players overseas that don´t get that job offer from a Real Madrid or CSKA Moscow as a rookie or from eurocup or BCL teams, but moreover are playing in lower divisions in countries where English isn´t prevalent and the nearest Mcdonalds could be hours away. Some guys give up after a few years and go home while others continue to grind it our and continue to perfect their craft as good as they can. Some guys just continue to play in lower leagues while others get lucky. Some of those lucky guys that went from lower divisions to the Euroleague were Kameron Taylor and Jaleen Smith. How often does one hear the famous line, “It´s all about who you know”. Well sometimes guys do get lucky and get that break as Trevon Barnes did recently. This talented American is the classic example of a player slowly inching up the basketball ladder. After being a rookie in Georgia, he continued in the weak second division in Luxemburg and then finally got his break in Portugal where he made his break through and hopes to continue his rise up the ranks this season in the UK with the Caledonia Gladiators. He met the right coach in Luxemburg and with real timing and luck was hooked up by his son Bernardo who coached him last season in Portugal. “Last season was all about confirming I am the player I thought I was. In Luxembourg, it was a low level so you don’t really know, but Portugal showed me I can play higher level basketball. I was blessed to arguably have the best coach of my career in Coach Pires. Playing for his father in Luxembourg I was able to learn what It takes to be a pro and how to handle myself in unideal situations and then with his son Bernardo, my eyes were opened so wide. Everything was taught with intention of being perfect and with the aspiration of reaching the highest level. All the little details he made sure we knew and I love and respected that”, stressed Trevond Barnes (206-F/C-1997, college: Hampton, agency: One Motive Sports). Sometimes the family connections are all that you need to succeed. “They joked and said I was his son while I was there just for him to put in the word for me to get the job under his actual son in Portugal. He always looked out for me and in times when I didn’t believe in myself he believed in me and I’m forever grateful and thankful for him. He’s a great man that prioritizes relationships. I respect that. In terms of the job in Portugal he spoke highly of me and Bernardo did his own research and came to the same conclusion. It’s good to have good people in your corner that can give a good but honest review of the player and person you are”, laughed Trevond Barnes. Even if he is continuing to climb the ladder, he will never be satisfied, because that chip will always be there. “My whole career has been a grind up. To me, lower level just means not respected and that’s how I see It. When I won A state championship and mvp in high school my college coaches and teammates didn’t respect it. Then I turned pro no one respected that I came from an hbcu in Hampton, after 2 years in Luxembourg no one respected what I did at that level, but this year I’ve felt that I’ve received some respect from my season in Portugal but that does nothing for me. Respect is cool but I play because I love the game and process of getting better and that’s what I look forward to. The only chip I have on my shoulder is how much I want to prove to myself I can reach my full potential”, warned Trevond Barnes

Trevond Barnes who lists Malcolm Brogdon in terms of notoriety, Cat Barber as the quickest, Toney Douglas as the smartest and Nathan Knight as his toughest players he has battled in his career was born on July 29th, 1997 in Lafayette, Alabama. He began his basketball career at Lafayette high school and then played 4 years at Hampton University (NCAA) playing a total of 103 games. He was a consistent player there and understood exactly how to play his role as he averaged 21 minutes per game in his last 3 years. He celebrated a MEAC title in 2016. “That was a great time. I was raw as a freshman and didn’t play much but I just remember being surrounded by older guys that were just grown ass men! They won off will and that was impressive to see. Watching Reggie Johnson and Quinton Chievous work so hard every day showed me what it takes to be successful at basketball and that is a big reason why I work like I do today”, remembered Trevon Barnes. He and Hampton made a huge run in 2019 at the CIT losing to Marshall by 2 points. But he didn´t leave with a sour taste in his mouth after the loss. “I more so remember the loss in the conference championships to NC Central my junior year. That eats at all of us. That CIT run was more so just a fun opportunity at continuing our season and the loss to Marshall was a fun game still despite the loss”, said Trevon Barnes. He had so many highs at Hampton, but couldn´t pick just 1 moment that he can carry around with him. “My favorite game is a tie between when we beat Norfolk State by 30 at home my junior year and Howard at Howard that same season. It was a really good year for the team and it was great having good performances and highlights against your rivals the last year in the conference. But honorable mention goes to when I had my career high against Charleston Southern”, stated Trevon Barnes. He wouldn´t be where he is today without having had the guidance and extreme encouragement from head coach Edward Joyner. “The best thing he did for me was show me how much I had to get better mentally. He was a psych major and would emphasize that part of the game. He also made sure we knew that real life was nothing like what we had in college. I love him for that”, stressed Trevon Barnes who remembered coming out on top in 1-1 battles in practice against Austin Colbert. He picked up Big South Conf. All-Academic Team and CIT All-Tournament Team -2019

The Alabama native who lists Bill Russell, Jordan, Bird, Magic and Lebron on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore didn´t get an opportunity right away. He sat out the 2019-2020 season. Did he ever lose faith in the process? “ At times I was unsure because of the setbacks with my acl recovery during Covid at that. But I remained strong in my faith in God and my family kept me in good spirits as well. My agent Drew Kelso also supported me throughout the whole process when others could’ve just gave up on me. I needed that time though to become much more mentally strong than I was in college. That entire process is why I started my YouTube channel MTTG and want to be a voice and living testament to any other athletes that don’t feel prepared for life and adversity after college”, added Trevon Barnes. He finally made it overseas in 2020 and played 2 games for BC Vera (Georgia-Superleague) and then moved to Mega (Georgia-A League) where he played 14 games averaging 12.7ppg, Reb-4 (9.6rpg), FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 77.6%. It is always interesting to hear what guys experienced the first few days after coming off a plane and with him, it was like a culture shock.” It was a combination of seeing kids smoking cigarettes, not having an address to receive packages, few English speaking people, and no ranch dressing or real seasonings”, laughed Trevon Barnes. He was teammates again with talented American Jermaine Marrow who was with him at Hampton and like him has had to grind overseas just like Barnes. “We had a good run from college to that rookie season and good times. Well for any player that was successful in college in the states that goes to Europe there is a transition. You have to get used to the style of play and how to maintain good relationships with coaches teammates and organizations. Those things aren’t easy for everyone”, warned Trevon Barnes. He continued to climb the ladder and made big steps as a player in the seasons 2021-2023 playing for Grengewald Hostert (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) averaging 19.0ppg, 11.5rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1bpg, 0.8spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 74.7% and in his second season 15.9ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.2apg, Blocks-4 (1.3bpg), FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 74.6%. He helped the team move up from division 2 to division 1 in 2022. “That first season was special for me because It was back to back second league championships from Georgia to Luxembourg but more importantly I got fully healthy and was given the opportunity to explore my offensive game and figure out what type of player I could be going forward. In college I was a role player so it was my chance to grow”, expressed Trevon Barnes. He also will never forget being teammates with ultra veteran Patrick Arbaut who at age 35 was still playing at a high level. “ Pat was a really cool guy. I just wish I got to see him when he was younger because he never missed a chance to remind us of his age. Will give him the tag of biggest Jordan fan I ever met as my memory of him”, said Trevon Barnes. He had massive games against Soleuvre with 34 points and hit Heffingen for 28 points. Last season he made the jump to Portugal playing with Imortal Luzigas Albufeira (Portugal-Liga Betcli) averaging 11.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 80.6%. He will never forget battling top team FC Porto and ex NBA and Kentucky great Aaron Harrison. “Yea so the first battle is the mental one. Sharing the court with former NBA players and college stars can sound intimidating but once the game starts they’re just human. Porto was a tough team that we couldn’t get over but those games made me better. Even Moreso with Benfica because they had so much experience and I learned a lot from playing against those vets”, stressed Trevon Barnes. He scored 25 points against Benfica Lisabon outdueling ex NBA player Toney Douglas. He also had 2 solid games against FC Porto scoring 16 points a piece.

The ex NCAA player who lists Derek Jackson, Jermaine Marrow, Anthony Moore (aau), Jake Van Tubbergen, and Jackson Stormo as his 5 best teammates of all-time has a new challenge this season with the Caledonia Gladiators (United Kingdom-SLB). He continues to climb the basketball ladder and has landed with ambitious team Gladiators who want to make some noise this season.” Each step has been tough and presented its own unique challenges. But It keeps me fully engaged. I love the process and accept what comes with It. The gladiators have an amazing organization with great facilities and staff members. I’m truly blessed and grateful for the opportunity to play here especially in comparison to other places facility and organization wise”, stressed Trevon Barnes. He has been a dominant player his whole career, so why should something change now. “I’m very confident. I always put in the work and stay true to the process of getting better. Game 1 may not be perfect but by season’s end It will be clear I belong”, warned Trevond Barnes. He will be in Germany on Friday and participate in an exhibition game against easyCredit BBL team Frankfurt Skyliners. He is aware about the basketball history in Germany and that ex Hampton player Jervon Pressley balled in Germany years ago. “From my time playing in Luxembourg I learned a bit about German basketball. Trier was only a 30 minute drive away and I got to see their games and intense crowds. Also, we had some preseason games against Saarlouis if i’m not mistaken. They have great basketball and A great fan base. Big drinkers as well. I visited Germany some and drove through It a lot when I was in Luxembourg. I’ve known A couple guys that played in Germany including A good friend of mine I played with in Luxembourg Terry Winn. Jervon is definitely A big bro though and I got chance to reconnect and play with him this summer in Charlotte in a hbcu alumni game along with other former HU teammates”, smiled Trevon Barnes.

So what kind of a player will basketball fans see in the UK this season with Trevon Barnes who lists Kobe Bryant as his Goat? He claims that he is a mix between Serge Ibaka and Anthony Davis. “I can always settle into that role of A rim protector floor spacer that can defer but when in rhythm and used correctly I can dominate a game on both ends of the floor and be a featured player like an AD. Depends on the day”, warned Trevon Barnes. He is definitely a type of player that any team could use at anytime as versatility is his biggest strength. “ I know it’s not looked at as a great thing but I feel I really am a jack of all trades and a master of none. I can do a lot of things pretty well but I wouldn’t say any one thing pops out as my strongest asset other than the willingness and ability to do whatever the team needs or asks”, stressed Trevon Barnes. He is a modern day big that was already using the three at Hampton and knows what he has to do to keep having consistent percentages. “I’ve been stretch big my whole life. Some seasons better than others. I think taking more threes and remaining more disciplined in my form and how I receive the ball is the biggest key to keeping a higher percentage if I am to take more attempts”, added Trevon Barnes. He is still growing as a defender and knows exactly where his weak spots are. “I can defend 4 and 5 comfortably. The goal is to become better at rebounding as a 5 and being a more switchable defender so I can guard on the perimeter better. That is where my next step can really come from. My assistant coach Louis echoed the same sentiment to me in practice. More aggressive on the perimeter and pick and roll”, warned Trevon Barnes. On offense he also wants to be able to initiate offense for himself and others with his handle will be a huge asset. It will be interesting to see where his basketball path will go in the next years. For now his number one goal is helping bring success to the Caledonia Gladiators. All in all, he is at peace with himself and just enjoying life. “I’m in A good space in life and in a great basketball situation. As I get older I become more clear on my purpose and path while still connecting with my loved ones”, stressed Trevon Barnes.