Barthelemy glad to be at CU

BOULDER» It was a winwin situation for the player and the program. And a fortuitous stroke of timing.

Upon deeper consideration, Keeshawn Barthelemy decided he was ready to begin his collegiate basketball career in the United States this fall, even if that meant crossing the Canadian border a year earlier than planned. As luck would have it one of his top suitors, Colorado coach Tad Boyle, happened to still have an open scholarship at his disposal over the summer.

Now, after Barthelemy’s whirlwind assimilation into CU in late August and early September, the Buffaloes’ newcomer has the potential to be a rare and intriguing type of asset. As the Buffs embark on a season they expect will end with an NCAA Tournament berth, Barthelemy represents the sort of potential building block of talent good programs stockpile to make certain that possible tourney berth is a legitimate annual goal and not a oneyear aberration.

The likely heir apparent to McKinley Wright at point guard, Barthelemy was set to attend a prep school in 2019-20 before opting to reclassify and accept Boyle’s offer to move to Boulder.

“I started thinking about (reclassifying) around the spring,” Barthelemy said. “I knew I had a chance to reclassify and Colorado was one of my main options. Probably the main option, because of how they develop guards. I felt like it was a good fit for me.

“I feel like going to prep would’ve been a year like I was in high school and maybe not get better. But here the team looks really good. I’m building chemistry with the guys and I’m getting better each day competing.”

One thing that has stood out about Barthelemy during the preseason, and which was on display last week during the Buffs’ intrasquad scrimmage, is how smoothly he operates within CU’s offense. Rarely does Barthelemy get lost within the motion offense. And he might already be the Buffs’ fastest player with the ball in his hands from free throw line to free throw line.

The 6-foot-2 guard was ranked as a four-star recruit by 247Sports.com, but he understands he must add some muscle to his 165pound frame.

“For me, it’s just getting my body stronger,” Barthelemy said. “That’s my main area of growth.”

A member of Canada’s fourth-place team at the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, Barthelemy is expected to redshirt this season.