Day says Barford has hope

FAYETTEVILLE — Todd Day, the Arkansas Razorbacks’ all-time leading scorer who played eight seasons in the NBA, said he believes Jaylen Barford can make it there, too.

Barford, a 6-3 guard, was the only player from this season’s University of Arkansas, Fayetteville men’s basketball team who was invited to the NBA scouting combine.

“Oh, definitely, definitely,” Day said when asked if Barford has a realistic chance to play in the NBA. “One thing about the NBA is it’s all about scoring these days.”

Day and other former Hogs were in Northwest Arkansas on Monday for Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson’s charity golf tournament at Shadow Valey Golf Club in Rogers.

“They [the NBA] don’t really look at your size anymore,” Day said. “If you’re able to put the ball in the hole, then you’ll be signed.”

Barford averaged 17.0 points per game as a senior for the Razorbacks after averaging 12.8 as a junior.

“I like his game off the dribble,” said Day, the coach of Philander Smith College in Little Rock. “He really can get to the rack, and he’s strong enough in the upper body to finish.

“I think that’s the one thing where he has an advantage over a lot of the other guards, because he’s big enough and strong enough to finish in the paint.”

Barford improved his three-point shooing from 26.6 percent (29 of 109) as a junior to 43.3 percent (87 of 201) as a senior.

“[NBA teams] wanted to see him expand his game outside, and I think he did that,” Day said. “Once he gets to the professional level, he’ll be able to get more shots up and he’ll become an even better shooter.”

Barford did an interview with Basketball Insiders when he was at the combine in Chicago.

“It’s really a blessing to be here,” Barford said. “The hard work is paying off.”

Barford was invited to the combine after being named the most valuable player at the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational, an all-star showcase for seniors.

Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson said Barford has done a good job of putting himself on the radar for NBA teams.

“Now you’ve got more people that have seen you,” Anderson said. “You talk about all the NBA teams that were at the combine. … He’s talked to a lot of people.

“They like what he brings to the table. I think eventually he’s going to end up in the league. Who knows? Maybe get drafted.”

Barford