Catching up with 2021 guard Griffin Barrouk

Throughout the last 4-5 months, much has been brought to light about how COVID-19 and the quarantine period impacted the high school basketball world. Specifically, prospects were unable to play live in front of college coaches to increase their chances of being recruited. For 2021 Bayard Rustin/Philly Pride guard [player_tooltip player_id="991136" first="Griffin" last="Barrou"]k, quarantine finally gave him an opportunity to get his body healthy for the first time in what seemed like forever.

The past two high school seasons, Barrouk had been riddled with injuries that kept him sidelined for the majority of the time. Much of which can be traced back to the amount of growth he’s experienced over a two-year span. As a sophomore he stood 5-foot-10 on a good day. Fast forward to now and he’s approaching 6-foot-5. Sometimes growing isn’t all that it’s made to be. What’s commonly overlooked is during the process it can cause pain to someone’s feet, knees, back or other joints as the body adjusts.

Griffin’s first injury occurred when he broke a bone in the bottom of his foot that ended his sophomore season. After getting back healthy and ready to make an impact as a junior, arguably a prospect’s most important season, he tweaked his hamstring just before his season was about to officially begin. Eager to get back on the floor, Barrouk was back in action only to suffer a torn hamstring that kept him out half of the season. Although he was able to make a comeback in that same season, Barrouk was never fully himself.

Throughout the quarantine months, Barrouk had the chance to rest his body, but also put the necessary time in in the weight room to increase his strength and as a result, his confidence started coming back.

"I’m good now," Barrouk said as he reflects back on his mindset this summer. "I was a little hesitant when I first got back on the floor because everyone says once you tweak your hamstring, it’s easy to do again. I made it a priority to get enough rest over quarantine and now I’m perfectly fine. It’s the best I’ve felt in the long time and I’m fully confident."

I was lucky enough to see Barrouk play in the Fall Jam Fest as he ran with K-Low Elite for that one weekend. Usually you can see Barrouk suit up for Philly Pride Gold, but filling in or not, he made his presence felt and quickly caught eyes of scouts who were watching. 

Barrouk poses great size as an off-ball guard at 6-foot-4 to 6-foot-5 and offers arguably the most coveted skill in today’s game: three-point shooting. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than watching players who know how to bring value to the floor and stick to doing just that.

Time and time again, Barrouk was coming off pin down screens with textbook footwork as he quickly got into his shot with fluidity. There were multiple occasions where he trailed in transition and as the ball-handler got into the paint and realized nothing was there, found Barrouk shot-ready on the perimeter for a dagger. Often times when someone is labeled a shooter there are common assumptions packaged in whether it be that they can’t make plays off the dribble or are a liability defensively. Barrouk is well aware that he isn’t the most athletic player on the floor, but he uses his IQ and natural instincts to get into the paint and finish creatively around the rim or with soft touch on floaters. 

Most importantly, he’s not going to over dribble. 

"I’m not a guy who is going to dribble just to dribble. If I put the ball on the floor it’s to make a move or a double-move and if I can’t make anything happen for myself I’m trying to find open teammates or just get the ball moving," Barrouk told Prep Hoops in a recent interview.

Defensively is where his instincts come into play. Again, he isn’t the quickest or most athletic guy on the floor, but uses angles to keep guys in front of him and his length to get solid contests on jumpers. Some names of players that Barrouk looks up to and tries to adopt certain things about their game into his own include: Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), J.J. Redick (New Orleans Pelicans) and Collin Gillespie (Villanova).

Until I found out about Barrouk’s growth spurt over the last two or so years, I was shocked to see that he doesn’t hold any offers. However, Hofstra has been the school that is reaching out to him on a daily basis as others begin to reach out more consistently.

"Other than Hofstra, Lafayette and Colgate have reached out to me for a while. UMBC and Northeastern are two schools that just got in contact with me for the first time in the last couple of days," Barrouk said.

If I had to give my opinion on where I see Barrouk it’s in the CAA. If his play this summer was any sign for what’s to come this winter, programs should do their due diligence now before it’s too late. He fits the mold and style of player that almost always pans out at that level and over time, I think could develop into a guy that opposing teams have to scheme for with his ability to impact the game from range.

For Barrouk’s hudl highlights, click here.

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