Cat Barber

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Cat Barber

| image = Anthony Barber.jpg

| caption = Barber with NC State in March 2015

| position = Point guard

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 174

| league=LPB

| team = Sporting CP

| number = 12

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|7|25}}

| birth_place = Hampton, Virginia, U.S.

| high_school = Hampton (Hampton, Virginia)

| college = NC State (2013–2016)

| draft_year = 2016

| career_start = 2016

| years1 = 2016–2017

| team1 = Delaware 87ers

| years2 = 2017

| team2 = Greensboro Swarm

| years3 = 2017

| team3 = New Basket Brindisi

| years4 = 2017–2018

| team4 = Greensboro Swarm

| years5 = 2018

| team5 = Ironi Nahariya

| years6 = 2018–2019

| team6 = Greensboro Swarm

| years7 = 2019

| team7 = Erie BayHawks

| years8 = 2019

| team8 = Ironi Nahariya

| years9 = 2019–2020

| team9 = College Park Skyhawks

| years10 = 2021

| team10 = Mitteldeutscher BC

| years11 = 2021

| team11 = Guelph Nighthawks

| years12 = 2021–2022

| team12 = College Park Skyhawks

| years13 = {{nbay|2021|full=y}}

| team13 = Atlanta Hawks

| years14 = 2022

| team14 = Guelph Nighthawks

| years15 = 2022

| team15 = BC Budivelnyk

| years16 = 2022–2023

| team16 = College Park Skyhawks

| years17 = 2023

| team17 = Scarborough Shooting Stars

| years18 = 2023–2024

| team18 = Porto

| years19 = 2024

| team19 = Scarborough Shooting Stars

| years20 = 2024

| team20 = Cibona

| years21 = 2024–present

| team21 = Sporting CP

| highlights =

All-NBA G League Second Team (2022)
CEBL champion (2023)
2× All-CEBL First Team (2023, 2024)
2× All-CEBL Second Team (2021, 2022)
Portuguese Cup winner (2024)
Portuguese Cup MVP (2024)
AP Honorable Mention All-American (2016)
First-team All-ACC (2016)
McDonald's All-American (2013)

}}

Anthony Ynique "Cat" Barber (born July 25, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for Sporting CP of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB). He played three seasons of college basketball for NC State, where he earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors as a junior.

High school career

Barber grew up in the same area of Virginia as National Basketball Association (NBA) star Allen Iverson.{{cite web|url=http://accbasketball.com/freshmen-orientation-anthony-barber/|title=Freshmen Orientation: Anthony Barber|work=ACC Basketball |date=May 31, 2013|accessdate=March 6, 2014}} Barber has even drawn comparisons to the former superstar in both his appearance and style of play. A standout player for Hampton High School, Barber averaged 21.0 points per game in his sophomore campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypress.com/2011/03/02/region-honors-big-cat/|title=Region honors Big Cat|work=DailyPress.com|publisher=Daily Press|date=March 2, 2011|access-date=March 6, 2014}} In 2011, Barber was named to the All-Eastern Region's first team in the Peninsula District as the only underclassman. Barber led his school to a 27–6 record and a Virginia State Title in 2012. During his championship junior season, Barber averaged 21.3 points per game, earning him Class AAA Player of the Year honors.{{cite web|url=http://gopack.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3320|title=Anthony 'Cat' Barber – 2015–16 Men's Basketball|work=GoPack.com|accessdate=February 16, 2014}} His senior year solidified his legacy at Hampton, posting a 22–6 record and averaging 20.2 points per game. He finished his high school career with 2,097 points total. During his high school years, Barber played AAU basketball under Boo Williams.

Barber was selected to the McDonald's All American Game. The 2013 McDonald's All-American Boys Game was held in Chicago's United Center where Barber recorded 11 points, 4 assists and 2 steals.{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Skrbina|url=http://www.dailypress.com/sports/highschool/dp-spt-hamptons-barber-stands-out-in-mcdonalds-game-20130404,0,4712202.story|title=Hampton's Barber stands out in McDonald's All-American game|work=DailyPress.com|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=April 4, 2013|accessdate=March 6, 2014}} Barber was also able to capture a bronze medal in the 2012 Nike Global Challenge.

College career

Barber was ranked fourth among point guards in the 2013 recruiting class, and was a highly coveted recruit.{{cite web|url=http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=5017851|title=Anthony Barber at ScoutHoops|work=Scout.com|accessdate=March 28, 2014}} On September 15, 2012, Barber signed with North Carolina State University to play for the N.C. State basketball team after being recruited by assistant coach, Rob Moxley.{{cite web|url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/108157|title=Anthony Barber at Rivals.com|work=Rivals.com|accessdate=March 6, 2014}} In his recruitment process, Barber also looked at attending the University of Kansas or the University of Alabama.

In 2015–16, Barber was named first-team All-ACC and led the conference with averages of 24 points and 39 minutes played per game. He was also named to the 35-man midseason watchlist for the Naismith Trophy.{{cite news|first=Terrence|last=Payne|title=Naismith Trophy midseason list announced|url=http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/oklahoma-sooners-buddy-hield-lsu-tigers-ben-simmons-naismith-trophy-35-finalists-021116|work=Fox Sports|date=February 11, 2016|accessdate=February 19, 2016}} Over the course of his three seasons with the Wolfpack, he appeared in 104 games and posted averages of 15 points, four assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes per game. Barber finished his college career ranking 13th all time in NC State history in scoring with 1,507 points in just 3 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.scacchoops.com/nc-state-mens-basketball-records|title=NC State Men's Basketball Records|work=SCACCHoops.com|accessdate=May 15, 2019}}

On March 22, 2016, Barber declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.{{cite web|url=http://gopack.com/news/2016/3/22/barber-nba-draft.aspx?path=mbball|title=BARBER DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT|work=GoPack.com|date=March 22, 2016|accessdate=August 31, 2016}}

Professional career

=Delaware 87ers (2016–2017)=

After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, Barber joined the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2016 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|title=Pelicans Announce 2016 Samsung NBA Summer League Roster and Mini-Camp Schedule|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-announce-2016-samsung-nba-summer-league-roster-and-mini-camp-schedule/|work=NBA.com|date=July 2, 2016|access-date=July 22, 2016}} On August 31, 2016, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers,{{cite web|title=Sixers Sign Anthony "Cat" Barber|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-sign-anthony-cat-barber|work=NBA.com|date=August 31, 2016|access-date=August 31, 2016}} but was waived on October 24 after appearing in two preseason games.{{cite web|title=Sixers Waive Five Players|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers-waive-five-players|work=NBA.com|date=October 24, 2016|access-date=October 24, 2016}} Five days later, he was acquired by the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the 76ers.

=Greensboro Swarm (2017)=

On February 3, 2017, Barber was traded to the Charlotte Hornets affiliate Greensboro Swarm in exchange for guard Aaron Harrison.{{cite web|title=SEVENS INVITE 13 PLAYERS TO TRAINING CAMP|url=http://delaware.dleague.nba.com/news/3320/|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.|date=October 29, 2016|access-date=November 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103234214/http://delaware.dleague.nba.com/news/3320/|archive-date=November 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}

=New Basket Brindisi (2017)=

On July 26, 2017, Barber signed with New Basket Brindisi in Italy.{{cite news|title=La point guard Anthony 'Cat' Barber firma con l'Enel Basket Brindisi|url=http://www.newbasketbrindisi.it/nbb/portale/news/7894/raggiunto-l-accordo-con-la-point-guard-cat-barber|work=New Basket Brindisi|date=July 26, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728202749/http://www.newbasketbrindisi.it/nbb/portale/news/7894/raggiunto-l-accordo-con-la-point-guard-cat-barber|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=dead}} On November 21, 2017, he parted ways with Brindisi after appearing in seven games.{{cite news|title=Brindisi, Cat Barber part ways|url=https://www.sportando.com/en/italy/serie-a/254774/brindisi-cat-barber-part-ways.html|work=Sportando.com|date=November 21, 2017|access-date=November 21, 2017}}

=Return to the Swarm (2017–2018)=

On November 29, 2017, Barber returned to the Greensboro Swarm for a second stint.{{cite news|title=Charlotte Hornets: Cat Barber rejoins the Greensboro Swarm|url=https://swarmandsting.com/2017/11/29/charlotte-hornets-greensboro-swarm-acquire-cat-barber/|work=swarmandsting.com|date=November 29, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018}} In 29 games played for the Swarm, Barber averaged 16.9 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

=Ironi Nahariya (2018)=

On March 27, 2018, Barber signed with the Israeli team Ironi Nahariya for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Cat Barber joins Ironi Nahariya|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/europe/israel/269375/cat-barber-joins-ironi-nahariya.html|work=Sportando.com|date=March 27, 2018|access-date=March 27, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }} On April 25, 2018, Barber recorded a season-high 25 points, shooting 5-of-8 from three-point range, along with five assists in a 77–81 loss to Hapoel Gilboa Galil.{{cite news|title=Winner League, Game 24: Gilboa Galil Vs Nahariya|url=http://basket.co.il/game-zone.asp?GameId=23323&lang=en|work=basket.co.il|date=April 25, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2018}}

=Third stint with the Swarm (2018–2019)=

For the 2018–19 season, Barber re-joined the Greensboro Swarm.

=Erie BayHawks (2019)=

On February 21, 2019, Barber was traded to the Erie BayHawks for John Gillon.{{cite web|title=Erie BayHawks Complete Trade With Greensboro Swarm|url=https://erie.gleague.nba.com/news/erie-bayhawks-complete-trade-with-greensboro-swarm/|work=NBA.com|date=February 21, 2019|access-date=February 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223185259/https://erie.gleague.nba.com/news/erie-bayhawks-complete-trade-with-greensboro-swarm/|archive-date=February 23, 2019|url-status=dead}}

=Return to Ironi Nahariya (2019)=

On March 28, 2019, Barber returned to Ironi Nahariya for a second stint, signing for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=החתול חוזר: בארבר חתם בעירוני נהריה|url=http://basket.co.il/news.asp?id=21013|work=basket.co.il|date=March 28, 2019|access-date=March 28, 2019|language=Hebrew}} On April 15, 2019, Barber recorded a career-high 36 points, shooting 11-of-22 from the field, along with three rebounds and two assists in a 93–96 overtime loss to Hapoel Gilboa Galil.{{cite news|title=Winner League, Game 27: Gilboa Galil Vs Nahariya|url=http://basket.co.il/game-zone.asp?GameId=23961&lang=en|work=basket.co.il|date=April 15, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2019}} In 10 games played for Nahariya, he averaged 16.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

=College Park Skyhawks (2019–2020)=

On November 8, 2019, Barber returned to the G League to play for the College Park Skyhawks.{{cite news|title=College Park Skyhawks Announce Opening Night Roster|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/college-park-skyhawks-announce-opening-night-roster/n-5569428|work=OurSportsCentral.com|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=November 8, 2019}} He was named G League player of the week on February 3, 2020, after averaging 26 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game in three games.{{cite news|title=Cat Barber named G League player of the week|url=http://www.technicianonline.com/sports/article_2e39764c-4892-11ea-b146-bbee8cbc87c3.html|work=The Technician|date=February 6, 2020|access-date=February 7, 2020}} He posted 29 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals in a loss to the Raptors 905 on March 10.{{cite news|title=Cat Barber: Leads team in scoring|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/336701-cat-barber-leads-team-in-scoring/|work=CBS Sports|date=March 11, 2020|access-date=June 21, 2020}}

=Mitteldeutscher BC (2021)=

On February 18, 2021, Barber signed with Mitteldeutscher BC of the German Basketball Bundesliga.{{Cite news|title=Anthony 'Cat' Barber joins SYNTAINICS MBC|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/anthony-cat-barber-joins-syntainics-mbc/|date=February 18, 2021|website=Sportando|access-date=February 19, 2021}}

=Guelph Nighthawks (2021)=

On April 15, 2021, Barber signed with the Guelph Nighthawks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.{{cite web|title=Guelph Nighthawks Sign NBA G League Guard, Cat Barber|url=https://www.cebl.ca/guelph-nighthawks-sign-nba-g-league-point-guard-cat-barber|website=CEBL.ca|date=April 15, 2021|access-date=April 17, 2021}}

=Atlanta Hawks / Return to College Park (2021–2022)=

In October 2021, Barber rejoined the College Park Skyhawks.{{cite news|title=College Park Skyhawks fall in preseason scrimmage|url=https://www.news-daily.com/sports/college-park-skyhawks-fall-in-preseason-scrimmage/article_d761010e-39c7-11ec-80d5-cfd35a4dd6f8.html|work=Clayton News-Daily|date=October 30, 2021|access-date=November 3, 2021}} In 14 games, averaged 13.1 points, a team-high 5.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game (.445 FG%, .367 3FG%, .759 FT%).{{cite web|title=Hawks Sign Cat Barber and Malik Ellison to 10-day Contracts|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/hawks-sign-cat-barber-and-malik-ellison-10-day-contracts|website=NBA.com|date=December 25, 2021|access-date=December 25, 2021}}

On December 25, 2021, Barber signed a 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks. and was re-acquired by College Park on January 4.{{cite web|title=2021–22 NBA G League transactions|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=NBA.com|access-date=January 4, 2022}}

=Return to the Nighthawks (2022)=

On May 12, 2022, Barber was reacquired by the Guelph Nighthawks.{{cite web|title=GUELPH NIGHTHAWKS ANNOUNCE 2022 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER PRESENTED BY GOODLIFE FITNESS|url=https://www.thenighthawks.ca/tcroster2022|website=TheNighthawks.ca|date=May 12, 2022|access-date=May 25, 2022}}

=Budivelnyk (2022)=

On August 11, 2022, Barber signed with BC Budivelnyk of the European North Basketball League.{{Cite news|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/anthony-cat-barber-signs-with-bc-budivelnyk/|title=Anthony 'Cat' Barber signs with BC Budivelnyk|last=|first=|date=August 11, 2022|website=|newspaper=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 15, 2022|last1=Skerletic |first1=Dario }}

=Third stint with College Park (2022–2023)=

On December 27, 2022, Barber was reacquired by the College Park Skyhawks.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2022–23 NBA G League Transactions|date=December 27, 2022|access-date=December 27, 2022}}

=Scarborough Shooting Stars (2023)=

On April 11, 2023, Barber signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars.{{cite web|title=Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign American Point Guard Cat Barber|url=https://www.cebl.ca/scarborough-shooting-stars-sign-american-point-guard-cat-barber|website=CEBL.ca|date=April 11, 2023|access-date=April 12, 2023}} Barber would finish the season as the CEBL's all-time leading scorer with 1108 career points while also winning the CEBL Championship with the Shooting Stars that season.{{cite web|title=Scarborough Shooting Stars Sign American Point Guard Cat Barber|url=https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/scarborough-shooting-stars-re-sign-cebl-all-time-leading-point-scorer-cat-barber|website=CEBL.ca|date=April 24, 2024|access-date=July 20, 2024}}

=Porto (2023–2024)=

On July 16, 2023, Barber signed with Porto of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol.{{cite web|title=ANTHONY BARBER REFORÇA A EQUIPA DE BASQUETEBOL|url=https://www.fcporto.pt/pt/noticias/20230716-pt-anthony-barber-reforca-a-equipa-de-basquetebol|website=FCPorto.pt|date=July 16, 2023|access-date=October 5, 2023|language=Portuguese}}

=Return to Scarborough (2024)=

On April 24, 2024, Barber re-signed with the Shooting Stars, but due to his overseas commitments, he would only be able to rejoin the team on June 21, 2024.{{cite web|title=Honey Badgers seek 1st win in 5 games against provincial rival Shooting Stars|url=https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/my-post|website=ScarboroughShootingStars.ca|date=June 21, 2024|access-date=July 20, 2024}} On July 13, 2024, Barber scored the last 24 points for the Shooting Stars in a 103–92 win over the Edmonton Stingers to set a new CEBL record for most consecutive points scored for a team in a game.{{cite web|title=Honey Badgers seek 1st win in 5 games against provincial rival Shooting Stars|url=https://www.cebl.ca/cat-barbers-historic-24-straight-points-lifts-shooting-stars-over-stingers|website=CEBL.ca|date=July 13, 2024|access-date=July 20, 2024}}{{cite web |title=CEBL Record 24-Straight Points Cat Barber July 13 vs. Edmonton Stingers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FJlYWfaaP0 |website=youtube.com |publisher=Canadian Elite Basketball League |language=en |format=video |date=July 13, 2024}}

=Cibona (2024)=

On September 6, 2024, Barber signed with Cibona of the Croatian League and the ABA League.{{cite web|author=KK Cibona|title=🔵 Introducing the third part of the Cibona roster for the season 2024/25! 🔵|url=https://www.facebook.com/cibona.zagreb/posts/pfbid0C3cQa5ZAXiy6kPRygae4tZTiwpLAYo2eGHNZyX1taxRq4bv8X5q17NC26DtUr4pPl?ref=embed_page|website=Facebook.com|date=September 6, 2024|access-date=September 6, 2024}}

On October 30, 2024, Barber signed with the San Diego Clippers, but was waived on November 8.{{cite web|title=2024-2025 San Diego Clippers Transaction History|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/gleague/teams/San-Diego-Clippers/69/Transaction_History/2025|website=RealGM.com|access-date=November 11, 2024}}

=Sporting CP (2024–present)=

On November 28, 2024, Barber signed with Sporting CP of the Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol.{{cite web|title=Cat Barber é Leão|url=https://www.sporting.pt/pt/noticias/modalidades/basquetebol/2024-11-28/cat-barber-e-leao|website=Sporting.pt|date=November 28, 2024|access-date=November 28, 2024|language=Portuguese}}

Personal life

The son of Pamela Barber, he has an older sister and a daughter.{{cite web|first=Owen|last=Sanborn|url=http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2016/5/30/11812500/phoenix-suns-pre-draft-workouts-day-7-lets-play-two|title=Phoenix Suns Pre-Draft Workouts Day 7: Let's Play Two|work=BrightSideOfTheSun.com|publisher=SB-Nation|date=May 30, 2016|accessdate=May 30, 2016}} He majored in social work.

Barber's older sister, Pam, is credited with giving him the moniker "Cat" due to his quick and agile movements as a child.{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2013-08-06/needed-right-away|title=Needed Right Away|work=NCAA.com|date=August 6, 2013|accessdate=February 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221203806/http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2013-08-06/needed-right-away|archive-date=February 21, 2014|url-status=dead}}

Career statistics

=NBA=

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

| 3 || 0 || 4.3 || .000 || — || .000 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 3 || 0 || 4.3 || .000 || — || .000 || 1.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .0

=College=

| align="left" | 2013–14

| align="left" | NC State

| 36 || 18 || 24.2 || .401 || .261 || .696 || 2.0 || 3.5 || .6 || .0 || 8.5

| align="left" | 2014–15

| align="left" | NC State

| 35 || 33 || 31.7 || .439 || .380 || .733 || 3.3 || 3.7 || .8 || .0 || 12.1

| align="left" | 2015–16

| align="left" | NC State

| 33 || 33 || 38.7 || .434 || .361 || .865 || 4.6 || 4.5 || .6 || .1 || 23.5

| align="left" | Career

| align="left" |

| 104 || 84 || 31.3 || .428 || .347 || .793 || 3.3 || 3.9 || .7 || .0 || 14.5

References

External links

[http://gopack.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3320 NC State Wolfpack bio]
[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/anthony-cat-barber-1.html College stats @ sports-reference.com]
[https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1627760/career NBA.com stats]
[https://www.scarboroughshootingstars.ca/cat-barber---bio-page Scarborough Shooting Stars bio]

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Canada

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Croatia

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Germany

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Portugal

Category:American expatriate basketball people in Ukraine

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Atlanta Hawks players