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Pack in the Pros

Where Are They Now?: Cat Barber

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2 years ago

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Back when we started this site 13 years ago, when it was a little blog called WolfpackHoops, we had an ongoing series called “Where are They Now,”, and I’m feeling nostalgic.

So I’m bringing it back.

Where the heck is Anthony “Cat” Barber these days?

Glad you asked.

Barber arrived at NC State as a McDonald’s All-American, who turned down offers from the likes of Kansas, UCONN and Louisville to run with the Wolfpack. A consensus 4-star recruit, was ranked as the #25 overall player in the 2013 class, and the #1 player in the state of Virginia, playing his high school ball at Hampton High School (Hampton, VA). To date, Barber is the 9th highest rated recruit to commit to NC State according to the 247Sports database.

As a Junior, Barber earned 1st Team All-ACC honors after leading the ACC in scoring (23.5). He decided not to return for his Senior season, and entered his name in the NBA Draft, but didn’t hear it called.

In 2016-17, Barber played in the G-League with the Delaware Blue Coats and the Greensboro Swarm, averaging 16.4 points and 4.7 assists in 40 combined games.

In Cat’s 2nd year as a professional (2017-18), he played for the Swarm in the G-League again, averaging 16.9 points and 4.5 assists in 29 games, but it would also be his first year playing professionally across the pond. Barber played 7 games in Italy for Happy Casa Brindisi, averaging 10.4 points, and he also played 10 games in Israel for Ironi Nahariya, averaging 14.7 points.

In 2018-19, he once again played in the G-League, playing 27 games with Greensboro (3rd straight year), and 14 games with the Erie BayHawks, averaging 14.5 points and 5 assists between the two squads. That same year he jumped across the pond again, playing 10 games once again for Ironi Nahariya in Israel, averaging 16.9 points.

In year 4, Barber stayed stateside the whole year, playing 39 games for the College Park Skyhawks, averaging 16.9 points and 5.9 assists.

In 2020-21, Cat only played 9 games professionally, this time in Germany for Syntainics MBC, averaging 8.7 points per game.

Year 6 proved to be a monumental year for Barber, because it would mark the one time in his professional career he actually made it to the NBA, though it was only for three games with the Atlanta Hawks. Even though he only played three games in the NBA, he put together his best season in the G-League to date, averaging 22.8 points and 7.9 assists per game in his second stint with the Skyhawks, earning All NBA G-League 2nd Team honors. Barber also crossed the border, playing 18 games for the Guelph Nighthawks in Canada, averaging 19.6 points and 5.2 assists.

Where will Cat be in Year 7 of professional basketball?

 

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A post shared by ✨BIG CAT✨ (@honest12_)

Cat is headed overseas to suit up for Ukranian team BC Budivelnyk as they prepare for FIBA’s Basketball Champions League Qualifiers, which kick off on September 21st.

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

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5 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

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Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

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5 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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6 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

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6 days ago

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April 27, 2024

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NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

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