The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has recognized Cougar senior guard Alex Barcello as BYU’s 2021 All-American Athlete of the Year Award recipient. This award recognizes Barcello’s athletic accomplishments and his dedication to strength and conditioning.
Nominated by BYU men’s basketball strength coach Erick Schork, Barcello helped the Cougars to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015 and back-to-back AP Top 25 finishes. In his second season with BYU, after transferring from Arizona, Barcello led BYU in points (16.1), assists (4.3), steals (0.9), three-point percentage (47.7%) and free-throw percentage (85.6%). He was No. 10 nationally in three-point percentage.
Barcello is coming off of a season where he was an AP All-America Honorable Mention. He is one of only four AP All-Americans returning to the NCAA next season. Barcello was also named to the West Coast Conference First Team.
Barcello is No. 1 in the BYU record book in three different categories: career three-point percentage (48.2%), career effective field-goal percentage (61.5%) and single-game three-point makes without a miss (7). His 2.01 career assist/turnover ratio is No. 10 all-time.
Barcello’s 48.2% three-point shooting over the past two seasons is the best of any player over that span.
BYU head coach Mark Pope on Barcello
“Alex Barcello is one of the top athletes in college basketball right now. In this final year he has a chance to solidify his position as an all-time BYU great. This award is evidence of the hard work that he puts in every day. He is yet again taking another major step towards his goal of playing in the NBA and most importantly to lead the team to win big this year.”
BYU strength coach Erick Schork on Barcello
“Alex has a relentless drive to get better every day. Over the course of the offseason, he was able to improve in all five NBA Draft Combine tests. Most notably, his approach jump improved from 36 inches to 38.5 inches. His reactive shuttle score improved from 3.05 seconds to 2.83 seconds. Alex’s 185 bench press repetition improved from two reps to seven reps. On the court, his points per possession as a pick-and-roll ball handler coming off screens has increased. Alex’s strength has contributed to him going from the 35th percentile to the 83rd percentile scoring around the basket. Alex is the consummate leader, exemplifying a balance of humility, empathy and expectation with his teammates and coaches.”
NSCA member coaches may nominate one male and/or one female strength and conditioning athlete, per sport, per school.
The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year program recognizes those collegiate and high school athletes, whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of their strength coach, reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning.
