COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — 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.
About the National Strength & Conditioning Association
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is an international nonprofit professional association founded in 1978 and is dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning profession around the world. The NSCA advances the profession by supporting strength and conditioning professionals devoted to helping others discover and maximize their strengths. The organization disseminates research-based knowledge and its practical application by offering industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, and continuing education opportunities. The NSCA community is composed of more than 45,000 members and certified professionals who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength coaches, personal trainers, and other roles in related fields.
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, the NSCA serves as a valuable resource for its members, the fitness industry, general public, and the media. The association provides a wide variety of resources and opportunities designed to strengthen, build, advance, and unify.
BYU Men’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning Mission Statement
The Brigham Young University basketball strength and conditioning program is committed to providing the ultimate training experience for each student athlete. Our focus is building a total athlete while reducing the risk of injury through individual evaluation and program design. Developing strong relationships with each student athlete is a fundamental building block essential to the success of BYU athletics.
The Brigham Young University basketball strength and conditioning program will challenge the student-athletes in aspects of leadership, work ethic, winning attitude, consistency and the ability to transfer these skills into competition. Student-athletes that exemplify the highest levels of achievement will be recognized on a national level and become eligible for the National Strength and Conditioning All-America honors.