Barlow Goes Pro
Dom Barlow is a prospect whose progression has been consistently documented on NERR over the course of the last year.
On Wednesday, his story came to an unexpected conclusion, at least in the amateur ranks, when he signed with the new start-up league Overtime Elite, foregoing his remaining prep and subsequent collegiate eligibility in the process.
Barlow was a virtual unknown following his junior season at Dumont High School in New Jersey. He was set to play with Jersey Force that spring and summer before the pandemic arrived and shut down grassroots basketball. The Force returned to the court in July, playing exclusively outside but creating video libraries to help their players get recruited. Barlow was a beneficiary of those opportunities as he landed recruitment from the likes of Siena, Quinnipiac, and others.
When the Be Seen Tour came to town, his potential seemed to exceed that level of recruitment, although there was no way to anticipate the ascension that would follow in the next twelve months.
The pandemic continued to limit players' opportunities during the following high school season and so Barlow, intent to get the level of recruitment he hoped for, opted for a post-graduate year and joined the New York Rens EYBL program.
After adding another inch or two to his frame, Barlow quickly proved that he was capably of holding his own against the highest level athletes in the country this spring, although he was still adjusting to the speed of the game against that unprecedented level of competition.
This summer, everything seemed to click. The Rens were playing shorthanded at the Peach Jam, creating an increased role for Barlow and he took full advantage, putting together a dominant showing in the teams very first game in front of college coaches. His recruitment ballooned from their with numerous high-major offers.
He even ended up cracking the ESPN 100 as a member of the class of 2022 when it became clear he would enroll at Bridgton Academy for a post-grad year. Barlow arrived in Maine last week, but his stay was a short one. He participated in one workout on Saturday before leaving the school to return home and sign with Overtime.
While his deal is reportedly a two-year one, he is automatically eligible for next year's draft because of his age and the fact that he will be one year removed from high school. However, he is not currently projected on any draft boards.
Dom Barlow