Why isn't Stacey Barr in the WNBL already?

By NBL Media

NBL1 West commentator Paul Persic has called on all WNBL teams to sign Stacey Barr to a contract this coming season. 

The star for the Coles Express NBL1 National Title champions the Warwick Senators, Barr was a superstar in the 2022 NBL1 season but finds herself not on a WNBL roster a month out from the start of the season. 

Barr was named to the NBL1 National Finals All-Star Five and was the NBL1 West conference MVP, averaging 22.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists as the best player on the best team out West. 

The All-Star 5?? for the @Coles Express NBL1 National Finals ?

??Ringwood’s Marena Whittle
??Warwick’s Stacey Barr & Leonie Fiebich
??Southern District Spartans’ Leah Scott
??Albury-Wodonga Bandits’ Unique Thompson pic.twitter.com/u90hH2lhpY

— NBL1 (@NBL1) September 11, 2022

In a Cluch Radio interview, Persic said it’s beyond him why Barr isn't on a roster for the upcoming WNBL season. 

“How she is not on a WNBL team radar is beyond me,” he said. 

“17 points and nine rebounds in the Championship Game and consistently getting teammates involved, she loves to bring her teammates into the contest, wherever it be beyond the arc or inside the arc.

“You are making a mistake by not having her on that recruitment radar, she can deliver regardless if it’s for Perth, Melbourne, Townsville, Sydney, whatever team, it doesn’t matter get Stacey Barr on a WNBL contract she is going to fire on all cylinders” 

She could be heading for a second MVP and tonight showed why with Stacey Barr putting up
4??2??points
8??rebounds
5??assists
3??steals

Watch #NBL1West live and free on https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG and the #NBL1 App ??? pic.twitter.com/7I7DQrLeoN

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 30, 2022

In a feature before the NBL1 West Grand Final Barr explained how much she’s enjoyed expanding her role from more than just a scorer. 

"It's nice not just being a scorer and being able to do all those other aspects of the game like I have been this season," Barr said.

"Putting more focus on that stuff personally I guess has made my game a bit more well-rounded and not as focused just on the offensive end. I know if I'm having an off night there's not that same pressure on me because I know my teammates will step up around me and fill that void, which is a nice feeling to have."

Persic finished the praise of Barr by hinting that next season the “West Is Best” moniker may be short-lived, as teams around the country will only get better. Stating this may be the last Coles Express NBL1 National Final dominated by one conference. 

Feature image via: Travis Hayto