While at least one New Jersey high school basketball star opted to remain in school instead of signing up with a fledgling professional basketball league, another is on board.
Dominick Barlow, the 6-foot-9 forward from Dumont High School, agreed to a six-figure salary with the new Overtime Elite League that is financially backed by Jeff Bezos, hip hop star Drake and NBA stars Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony (among others), and he will begin play this fall in Atlanta.
After averaging more than 25 points per game last season at Dumont, Barlow had planned to spend the 2021-22 season at Bridgton Academy, a prep school in Maine, before choosing from among a number of Division 1 scholarship offers beginning in 2022.
While playing with the NY Rens on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer, Barlow added offers from Ohio State, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Xavier, South Carolina, Florida, Iona, Syracuse, Nebraska, DePaul, USC and Seton Hall. By accepting the pro deal, Barlow and his future Overtime teammates now will be ineligible for college.
“Dominick is an exciting prospect that brings an unusual versatility on and off the ball, and on both ends of the court. He’s long, athletic, and brings that New Jersey toughness that’s driven his growth in recent years,” said Brandon Williams, Head of Overtime’s Basketball Operations. “Among amateurs and pros, Dominick has demonstrated an ability to elevate his game, guarding multiple positions, and aggressive playmaking. This is a strong addition to the [Overtime] environment.”
Just last month, the father of Roselle Catholic junior guard Simeon Wilcher told NJ Advance Media that Simeon had been offered a high-six-figure salary to join Overtime, but the 6-foot-5 Wilcher decided to remain in high school so he could attend his prom, enjoy the high school experience and hopefully play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, among other things. Wilcher owns a slew of Division 1 offers, and most recently picked up one from North Carolina on Thursday.
Barlow becomes the 21st player to sign with Overtime Elite. He joins Jalen Lewis from California, Jazian Gortman from South Carolina, Bryson Warren from Arkansas, Amen and Ausar Thompson from Florida, Matt Bewley and Ryan Bewley from Florida, Tyler Smith and Bryce Griggs from Texas, Jai Smith from North Carolina, Malik Bowman from Maryland, Kok Yat from Alaska and De’Vontes Cobbs from Wisconsin.
Overtime also has signed several international prospects.
The league says every Overtime player “will earn a six-figure salary, with a guaranteed minimum salary of at least $100,000 per year, plus bonuses and shares of equity in Overtime. In addition, players will participate in revenue from use of their name, image and likeness, including through sales of custom jerseys, trading cards, video games and NFTs.” The league says it’s also launching a new high school in Atlanta featuring a 4:1 teacher:student ratio so the players can continue their education.
Barlow and the other Overtime signees are taking a risk signing up with the unproven league, and it may not become clear for a couple of years how things will pan out for the players blazing the new trail.
“Dom is a 6-foot-9 hybrid forward,” NY Rens coach Andy Borman said. “His biggest strength is his versatility. He can guard the 3-5 positions and play every forward position offensively
“He has all the physical tools and is an absolute dream to coach. I think Dom is a terrific player right now and I also think his best basketball is ahead of him.”
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media.
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