Season of Work: Callum Barker

Sophomore center Callum Barker is spotlighted in the seventh installment of the Bradley Basketball Season of Work series

Bradley University Marketing

Bradley Basketball center Callum Barker

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Men's Basketball 8/1/2016 3:25:00 PM

In order to fill the days before Bradley Basketball officially begins the NCAA Championship segment of its season with its first full practice of the segment Sept. 30, BradleyBraves.com continues to profile each of the team's 15 players in a weekly spotlight entitled Season of Work. Each spotlight includes a video breakdown session with Braves head coach Brian Wardle. The seventh installment of the Season of Work series features sophomore center Callum Barker.

Season of Work: Callum Barker

Full Name: Callum Samuel Barker
Class: Sophomore
Position: Center
Height: 6' 9"
Weight: 230 lbs
Major: Health Science
Hometown: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (Notre Dame, MA, Prep)

OVERVIEW
One of 10 freshmen and four international players on Bradley's 2015-16 roster, Barker was the final addition to last year's recruiting class, signing with the Braves June 15, 2015. He turned in an impressive debut by putting up 14 points and nine rebounds as the starting center in Bradley's season-opening win against Ball State and he was one of the top young big men in the Missouri Valley Conference. A starter in 25 games last year, Barker averaged 5.1 points and he ranked third among all of the league's freshmen by averaging 4.5 rebounds per game. In addition to his debut performance, Barker turned in 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots versus Seton Hall and he produced 14 points and seven boards against The Valley's top big man, Evansville's senior All-MVC center Egidijus Mockevicius, Feb. 28 at Carver Arena.

SUMMER FOCUS
Strength and conditioning, as well as nutrition, are points of emphasis for the entire team as the youngest team in college basketball points toward the 2016-17 season. On the floor, improving his balance is a key point of emphasis as Barker continues to develop his overall game. He displayed an ability to shoot from the perimeter and will look to further improve that part of his game, but his development in the post will be key moving forward. Perfecting a jump hook with both hands will make him a triple-threat offensive factor.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Nicknames: Cal, CB, Big Dog
How I got my nickname: Big Dog was given to me by my old Hobart Chargers teammates
Favorite food: Bangers and mash
Best concert I have ever attended: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (at Bradley)
Favorite sports movie: Glory Road
Hobbies: Biking
The first thing I thought when meeting Coach Wardle for the first time: Winner
Planned post-basketball career: Have a family, enjoy life
The best player I have ever played against: Ben Simmons
My most memorable moment of athletics: When I represented Australia
The most famous person to attend my high school: Jack Riewoldt (Australian Football League player)
When I played basketball as a kid, I pretended I was: Matthew Lloyd or Kobe (Bryant)
The biggest obstacle I have had to overcome: Dislocating my ankle
I am proudest of: Being a positive role model for my brother (Ryan)
I wear my uniform number because: Birthday (30th)

SEASON OF WORK FEATURES
Thursday, June 16:  Junior forward Donte Thomas (Direct Link)
Thursday, June 23:  Sophomore forward Luuk van Bree (Direct Link)
Friday, June 30:  Freshman forward Jerome Merritt (Direct Link)
Thursday, July 7: Sophomore guard Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye (Direct Link)
Thursday, July 14: Freshman guard Nate Kennell (Direct Link)
Thursday, July 21:  Freshman guard Jayden Hodgson (Direct Link)

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