Adia Barnes set the Arizona women's career scoring record during her time as a Wildcat forward from 1995-98. Following her UA career, she was drafted by the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs. After bouncing around the league for a few years, she settled in with the Seattle Storm in 2002, and has since emerged as a key contributor. Barnes took some time out from rehabbing a torn ACL suffered midway through last season to talk to the Wildcat.
Wildcat: How big a thrill was it to be inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame in November?
Barnes: It was a tremendous honor. I was extremely excited. That's something I'm going to have the rest of my life. I was just honored to be in the same category as the other athletes.
Wildcat: Do you still keep up with the Wildcat women's team?
Barnes: I try to the best I can, but I'm traveling a lot, so it's kind of hard. I talk to the coaching staff every now and then. I haven't been able to watch a game this year.
Wildcat: It looks like (sophomore center) Shawntinice Polk might have a shot at breaking your all-time points record. Is that record important to you?
Barnes: I think that records are meant to be broken. I think she's an awesome player. I don't get caught up in those things. I mean, I broke some records while I was there. But she's a great player and I wish her the best.
Wildcat: Arizona's won 25 in a row at home but they're only .500 on the road in that stretch. Was it as difficult for the team to win on the road in the Pac-10 back when you were playing?
Barnes: Well, of course we were better at home. We had great home court (advantage). I think it varied but I don't think we were known as a team that struggled on the road. But it was very tough to play at Stanford and UCLA, the same as it is now.
Wildcat: How much of your success do you owe to Coach Bonvicini?
Barnes: I mean, I give her all the success in the world. She's the reason I'm still playing today. She put me in a situation for me to be successful at Arizona. Her style fit my style of play in every way. She's a great mentor to me and I respect her so much. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be playing in the WNBA today. She believed in me. Other teams would've put me in the bench for not being big enough. But she saw something in me and brought the best out of me, and she gave me the strength to go to the next level.
Wildcat: The WNBA was founded when you were at the UA. What was your reaction when you heard a professional women's league was being started?
Barnes: Well, the ABL (American Basketball League) was already formed and the WNBA and ABL were competing for the top college players. For me, the ABL sounded awesome. They were paying a lot of money. But I saw some longevity in the WNBA. I was just so excited that something like that formed, and it was awesome. It enabled me to continue doing something I love. I think that's a dream for any college basketball player. I think it's just a tremendous opportunity.
Wildcat: How many WNBA teams have you been with?
Barnes: Um... the (Sacramento) Monarchs, Minnesota, Cleveland and now Seattle. Seattle is definitely my home now. I've been successful there. This will be my third year in Seattle.
Wildcat: On a scale of one to 10, how would you describe your WNBA experience thus far?
Barnes: I think that... I think it would be a 10 now because I'm very happy, but my first couple years I'd say it was a 6. I went into the WNBA as a four (power forward) but I was converted into a three (small forward) my first year, and I'd never played a three before. But I've been starting for the past two years, so my experience is a lot better now.
Wildcat: Are you recovered from your ACL injury (from last season)?
Barnes: Yeah. I'm ready to get back on the court very soon, like in the next couple days.
Wildcat: When you're done with the WNBA, would you consider coming back to coach at the UA?
Barnes: Yes, definitely. I think a couple years ago I definitely wasn't ready to coach just because I wanted to play overseas and get more experience, but I've been thinking about that more and more the last couple years. I'd love to come back to the UA. I've had a great experience here and there's nothing I can compare it to. I'd love to come back for sure.