Coppin State women’s basketball graduate student Skylar Barnes recently chatted with PressBox about playing for four programs in five years, the coaches she looked up to earlier in her hoops career and more. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 7.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for Southeast Missouri State in 2024-25. Barnes is a native of St. Louis and graduate of Lancaster High School.
PressBox: How did you first become interested in basketball?
Skylar Barnes: I would say as a kid my dad, [Van], was very interested in it. We would just go to the back yard every day and practice. I would play against boys, and I finally just got on to a team and it went from there.
PB: Who was the biggest influence on your game growing up?
SB: I would say my dad. I would say my mom also. My dad put in all the time, so it just made me love the sport more. My mom was also there to support me through it all.
PB: Why did you initially choose to go the JUCO route at Blinn College in Texas?
SB: I chose to go the JUCO route because in high school I didn’t do my best, but also it was just the best route for me. I knew that there was some time for me to work on things and get better to be able to be D-I ready.
PB: Why did you choose to come to Coppin State to close out your career after stops at Morehead State and Southeast Missouri State?
SB: I love the campus. … The coaches made sure I was good and were just honest from the beginning to the end. I was like, “That would be family for me, a family atmosphere.”
PB: If you were told at the beginning of your college career that you were going to go to four schools in five years, would you have believed it?
SB: I would not have believed it. I would have been shocked that that would even be possible for me. I wasn’t too fond of just moving around, so I would not believe it at all.
PB: What is it about this era where that kind of path is not uncommon?
SB: I don’t know. I just feel like you have to be open to new things all the time.
PB: What are some of the challenges that come out of a whirlwind college career? What are some of the positives that come out of it?
SB: I would say just not knowing what’s coming next. I would say just being more comfortable with knowing new things, learning new things, being capable of expanding your horizons.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about Coppin?
SB: Just the atmosphere. Everybody just seems happy and connected.
PB: Who’s your best friend on the team and what’s a story that underscores your friendship?
SB: I would say Paris McBride. We first met at Morehead. We’ve just been close since then. Being able to play with her and going through the same situation will be fun [as] our last year.
PB: Who did you look up to early in your college career?
SB: It was never a player. It was always a head. Them teaching me how to be a leader was my main thing. I would say my high school coaches, [LaQuita Walker and LaTanya Spragin]. They helped me [with] being a leader, being a role model for people younger than me. I would also say my JUCO coaches, [Jeff Jenkins and Antreanna Brooks].
PB: What advice would you give to younger players looking to play in college?
SB: I would say just make sure you have a good work ethic. Don’t overthink it. Have fun with it and be open to new things to build.
PB: What are your goals for after basketball, whenever it ends?
SB: I will be going back to school to get my nursing license, or I will try to play overseas. My mom used to be a nurse and my late aunt was one, too, so I just wanted to build off of that. When I was younger, it just made me want to also help people.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Coppin State Athletics
Issue 295: October / November 2025
Originally published Oct. 15, 2025