BYU’s Barcello Balancing NBA Dream, Wedding Plans This Summer
Jun 7, 2022, 2:39 PM | Updated: 7:40 pm
BYU guard Alex Barcello prepares to pass the ball during game against BYU in Spokane, Wash., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. Young Kwak, Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY – Alex Barcello is balancing two of the most important events in his life this summer — getting ready for the NBA draft and planning his July wedding.
The BYU guard worked out for the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, just weeks ahead of June 23 draft and discussed his critical summer.
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“We’re getting married right after summer league at the end of July, so we’re preparing for that,” Barcello said. “Then also I’m just trying to stay on top of things, keeping my body right for these workouts, but it definitely has taken an emotional toll on us.”
Barcello and his fiance Zoe got engaged shortly before his final season at BYU where he led the Cougars in scoring at 16.8 points per game.
“I’m focusing mostly on basketball,” Barcello admitted, “but there are times in my free time where I get to hop on the phone or a Zoom call with my fiance and our wedding planner and we get to pick things and just kind of go through that whole process.”
BYU guard Alex Barcello and Weber State guard Koby McEwen
will highlight the @utahjazz pre-draft workout tomorrow. @BYUMBB | @WeberStateMBBhttps://t.co/Qc2E2hd13a— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 7, 2022
Before working out for the Jazz, Barcello made stops in San Antonio, Washington, and Memphis on his path to the NBA Draft. Throughout the process, the former Cougar has relied on his family to help balance his busy summer.
“I’m just happy that I have people like my fiancee, Zoe, and my sisters and my mom that I can count on and lean on to help me through this process,” Barcello said.
With today's draft workout completed, the @utahjazz have brought in 30 players so far this summer.
Here's a quick cheat sheet on all 30 players and where they are likely to end up on draft night. #TakeNote | #NBADraft https://t.co/qsoW44C3Cz
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 7, 2022
Barcello likely won’t be a first-round pick in the draft but is hoping his shooting and competitiveness can convince a team to take a chance on him in the second round.
“I’ve never been handed anything my entire life,” Barcello said. “So I think I’m in the perfect spot to show what I’ve got because I’ve always had to prove myself wherever I went.”
Through it all, Barcello said he hasn’t lost sight of why he’s putting in the work to make the NBA.
“I’m so thankful for her and for people like that around me that can help just keep me motivated,” Barcello said. “That’s why I do this — that’s why I’m doing this.”
