Sarah Ashlee Barker

Sarah Ashlee Barker (born September 10, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Fire of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball. She played college basketball for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference. She was selected ninth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2025 WNBA draft.

Early life As an eighth-grader, Barker was diagnosed with osteochondritis dissecans, a joint condition that eventually required a major four-hour surgery and left her on crutches for six months.

High school career Barker played basketball for Spain Park High School in Hoover, Alabama. She was the 2020 Alabama Gatorade player of the year, 2020 Alabama Sports Writers Association Miss Basketball, and a two-time ASWA Class 7A state player of the year. She averaged 23.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and scored more than 2,000 points. On October 8 2018, she committed to Georgia.

College career Georgia (2020–2022) In her freshman year, Barker played in 24 games, averaging 5.1 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. She had career highs against App State, with 12 points, 5 assists, and 5 steals. Barker was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. As a sophomore, Barker started every game and scored 14 points in a win against Notre Dame. At the end of the season, she transferred to Alabama.

Alabama (2022–2025) As a senior, Barker started and played in 33 games, and surpassed 1,000 career points on February 18. She scored a career-high 34 points against Kentucky on January 28. Barker was named to the first-team All-SEC. In her senior year, Barker led Alabama with 17.2 points per game and 2.0 steals per game. She tied her career-high of eight assists against Georgia, Mississippi State, and Green Bay. She was named as a top 10 finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award. In a double-overtime loss to Maryland in the 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament, Barker scored a program-high 45 points.

Professional career Los Angeles Sparks (2025–2026)

On April 14, 2025, Barker was selected ninth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2025 WNBA draft.

Portland Fire (2026–present) On April 3, 2026, Barker was selected by the Portland Fire in the 2026 expansion draft. On May 9 she played in the Fire's first-ever league game. In 26 games for Portland, she averaged 10.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. On July 22, Barker suffered a torn ACL during a game against the Dallas Wings; she underwent successful surgery on August 5.

Athletes Unlimited In October 2025, Barker joined Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball for its fifth season, adding to her professional experience following her rookie year in the WNBA.

Career statistics WNBA

Regular season Stats current through end of 2025 season

College

Personal life Barker is the daughter of former professional football player Jay Barker, who was the starting quarterback of Alabama's 1992 national championship winning team, and stepdaughter of country music singer-songwriter Sara Evans. Barker is a Christian.