BASKETBALL

How New Bedford's Allexia Barros is empowering women as she chases dream of WNBA

Ed Collins

Contributing Writer

NEW BEDFORD — Allexia Barros likes to think of herself as fearless and unbreakable.

So much so that she took the time to have those words tattooed on the insides of her bicep muscles.

Growing up in the United Front public-housing section of New Bedford, Barros played basketball against the boys and held her own. That helped toughen her up and she's been a fighter ever since.

"Life is what you make of it. You can't expect to be given anything. You have to put the work in and earn it," said Barros, who's the niece of former Boston College and Boston Celtics star player Dana Barros. "That's why I'm all about empowering women. I want to show young kids they can do whatever they put their minds to."

New Bedford's Allexia Barros talks to youth basketball players during an event to announce her clothing line, Lexicon, Athletic Wear That Inspires.

A talented shooting guard at New Bedford High, Barros graduated in 2012 and went on to play at Community College of Rhode Island and the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. She's played in international tournaments for the Cape Verde national team and is now playing for the Lewiston-Auburn (Maine) Maples in the semipro Women's American Basketball Association.

"Basketball has always been one of my passions. Now, it's my life," said Barros, who set a school record for three-pointers made in a game (11) during the 2013-14 season at CCRI. "It's not even a game anymore. It's my career and I'm just trying to get better every day and take things one day at a time. I want to play in the WNBA someday and that's what keeps me going. It's a powerful motivator."

Allexia Barros recently released a clothing line, Lexicon, Athletic Wear That Inspires.

The 27-year-old Barros grew up playing at the New Bedford Boys & Girls Club and the lessons she learned there stayed with her and helped shape her life.

"I met a lot of great people who were very supportive and gave me the confidence to be who I wanted to be," Barros said. "I respected them for the work they were doing and I always said that if I had a chance to give back to the community, I would."

That led to the development of her own brand —The Underdogs, which aims to empower young girls through the game of basketball. Barros begins training girls at age four and she's developed close bonds with many of her clients.

Youth basketball players wear items from the clothing line, Lexicon, Athletic Wear That Inspires.

"Watching them grow is an amazing feeling," Barros said. "I love helping people fall in love with the game that I love."

As part of her brand, Barros recently announced the launch of a new clothing line — Lexicon, Athletic Wear That Inspires.

"I wanted to create a line of athletic wear with an uplifting message," Barros said. "Clothes that reflect the ideals and values that I like to teach kids every day.

A youth basketball player wears a t-shirt from the clothing line, Lexicon, Athletic Wear That Inspires.

The collection of t-shirts, tank tops, and hoodies, which were all designed by Lance Gunberg, a former staff artist at The Standard-Times, feature inspirational messages like Believe in Yourself, I Want to Inspire, Never Give Up, Dream Big, Stronger Together, Never Stop Fighting, Play Hard, and Just Be You!

Pre-orders are being accepted now, with delivery expected in about six weeks. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center in New Bedford, where the clothing line was recently unveiled. Orders can be placed on Facebook (lexbarros) and Instagram (lexibarros1).

A dangerous three-point shooter when she helped lead the Whalers to a pair of TD Garden appearances in the MIAA state tournament, the 5-foot-4 Barros has developed into a powerhouse guard who can play the point and shoot on the perimeter. She's also grown as a person and wants to share her life experiences with kids who are following the same path she took while growing up.

"My main mission is to inspire, motivate, and show young athletes that the possibilities are endless," Barros said. "My mantra is that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, and do it with dedication, heart, and fearlessness."

It's been a season of change in the WABA for Barros, who began it playing for the Boston-based New England Trailblazers. That came to an end when the team disbanded due to a lack of players and she found a new home with the Maples.

Barros scored 21 of the Trailblazers' 39 points in a season-opening 83-39 loss to the Maples on July 10 before the big switch. Playing for the Trailblazers in their inaugural season a year ago, Barros averaged 30 points a game on the way to earning league all-star honors and winning the three-point shooting championship. She helped lead the team to an unbeaten regular season and a playoff spot in the WABA Final Four.

Allexia Barros with some area youth basketball players, who are wearing items from the clothing line, Lexicon, Athletic Wear That Inspires.

Playing in the WABA has allowed Barros to showcase her skills and she's been benefiting from a unique 3-D rule where a backcourt turnover results in an extra point for the team that forces the turnover and scores on the ensuing possession.

The rule incentivizes teams to use full-court presses and that heightens the importance of having guards who are cool and calm under pressure.

"I already know that I can shoot the ball and the 3-D rule has helped me develop my ballhandling skills," Barros said. "It's going to help make me a more complete player. I love it. I want the ball in my hands as much as possible so I can show what I'm capable of. I've never backed down from a challenge and I'm not about to start now."