The latest 2022 prospect to receive an offer from Pitt is Dominick Barlow, a 6-foot-9 forward from Dumont, New Jersey.
Barlow is an underrated prospect who has seen his recruitment pick up steam in recent weeks. With a unique skillset and college-level height, he is looking to make a big statement this summer playing for the New York Renaissance, the same program that Tim O’Toole’s son plays for.
“My best strengths are my athleticism and my motor,” Barlow told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I always play very hard and I would say I am a good teammate. I have a good ability to space the floor that not many 6-foot-9 guys do.”
“I can shoot the three ball, too,” Barlow continued. “I don’t have Steph Curry range, but I can shoot the ball. And defense, that is probably the best aspect about myself. I have the ability to switch onto guards in the pick and roll so I think that is something that will help me play at the next level as early as possible.”
Heading into his final season of AAU hoops this summer, Barlow is looking to improve his game as much as possible prior to committing to a school.
“Playing in a big-time conference and March Madness, I think just the atmosphere,” Barlow said when asked what he is looking forward to in college. “Obviously with the pandemic, it has been a little bit different this year. But in a normal year, the atmosphere of college basketball is unlike anything else.”
With Pitt being Barlow’s first power five offer, the forward now has his eyes set on playing in a major conference.
“The ACC, in my opinion, is probably the best conference in basketball,” he said. “You are not going to get an easy game, and so that is something that I really want to do, get a chance to play and get better against good teams and players.”
For Pitt, O’Toole contacted Barlow first, and shortly after, offered him.
“I had a phone call the next day with the full coaching staff [after talking to O’Toole], and they were just telling me they were excited about potentially having me come to Pitt, so it was great.”
After receiving the offer, Barlow has continued to talk with the Pitt staff, something he says means a lot when comparing all the schools recruiting him.
“I have talked with Coach O’Toole a lot,” he added. “They have been very supportive of me, they have been watching all of my games, so it really means a lot that he is staying in contact with me and not just offered and stop calling me, but that means a lot.”
Although he has never been on campus, Barlow does have a Pitt connection in the family.
“My cousin played football at Pitt a few years ago, so I know a little bit about it,” he said. “I know it is a great school, basketball, football, all that. It is very competitive. I have been to Pittsburgh a few times so I know the city a little bit. It’s just a nice place. It is something I can see myself doing for potentially the next four years.”
His cousin, Nakia Griffin-Stewart, was a tight end for the Panthers back in 2019 after transferring from Rutgers. He is now in the NFL with the New York Giants.
“I wasn’t able to get to a game, but that is something I hope to be able to do soon,” Barlow said about the potential of visiting Pitt.
The 205-pound forward is currently unranked on 247 Sports and Rivals, but has seen his recruitment pick up steam as of late. He now holds offers from Pitt, Siena, Quinnipiac, St. Peters, and Fairleigh Dickinson, and interest from Wake Forest and Washington State.
