BYU Guard Alex Barcello Returning For One More Year
May 28, 2021, 6:50 PM | Updated: May 31, 2021, 2:17 pm
Brigham Young Cougars guard Alex Barcello (13) yells after drawing a foul form the San Francisco Dons in Provo on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. BYU won 79-73. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball star Alex Barcello is running it back for one more year. The Honorable Mention All-American guard announced he is returning for the 2021-22 season.
#BYU guard @AlexBarcello23 is coming back for one more year! 🏀 #BYUhoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/N4ThxMiYcu
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 29, 2021
Barcello’s announcement took place during the BYU Basketball Father & Sons camp. Members of the media were in attendance as well. This decision from Barcello comes one day after announcing he is engaged to his longtime girlfriend Zoe Simpson.
Despite being a senior last season, Barcello is able to return to the BYU basketball program this upcoming year due to the NCAA’s free year eligibility amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
#BYU coach Mark Pope on Alex Barcello returning for one more year: “I wasn’t 100% sure until he actually said it publicly.”#BYUHoops @kslsports pic.twitter.com/kSLOJXpvcR
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 29, 2021
Barcello was instrumental in leading BYU to a 20-7 record during the 2020-21 season. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard started in all 27 games and helped lead BYU to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015, and the program’s first single-digit seed since Jimmer Fredette’s squad in 2011.
Barcello coming back to BYU is a huge boost to a Cougars backcourt in need of guards next season and leadership. Originally a transfer from Arizona, Barcello emerged as the leader on and off the court for BYU last season.
Alex Barcello on his decision to come back to @BYUMBB for one more year: “It’s a surreal feeling.”#BYU #BYUHoops @kslsports pic.twitter.com/P583Hj4dW3
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 29, 2021
During the 2021 season, Barcello averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. He had 11 games last season where he scored 20-plus points.
Barcello’s roommate last season, Matt Haarms, opted to not return for another year with the Cougars. Haarms, a former Purdue transfer, declared for the 2021 NBA draft.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
