By Jimmy Muniz Jr
Tylan Birts
6’6", Forward 220 lbs
Hometown: Florida City, FL
Barry Basketball player for two years
Currently plays in Iceland
BUC Bio
Named to the SSC All-Newcomer Team, Earned Athletic Director's List honors, was also named to the Sunshine State Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Led the SSC in field goal percentage, shooting 60 percent from the field
Had a season high 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting vs Eckerd (Dec. 8, 2018)
Finished with a team-best in 38 steals
A Word of Advice
The power of networking. These days it’s not only about what you do but who you know as well.
Just to stay consistent and disciplined. It’ll take you far regardless of your career path. Regardless of the hand you’re dealt, keep swimming! It’ll be worth it in the end.
Nerea Baena
6’0", Forward
Hometown: Barcelona, Spain
Barry Basketball player for almost a year Currently plays in Spain as both player and referee
BUC Bio
Named to the Sunshine State Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll (2019-2022)
Averaged 9.1 points per game on 51.3 percent from the floor, which led the team in field goal percentage.
Scored double-digits seven times in the 2021-22 season
A Word of Advice
You are capable of way more than you know. I had three injuries back-to-back and I was not able to play the sport that I love. It was a hard path, a lot of highs and lows. But at the end, you start achieving goals that you never thought you were capable of.
Getting a job — knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but I wasn’t expecting it to be that hard after I graduated with an undergraduate and a master’s degree. Here in Spain, the job offers in the business sector require three to five years of experience and I only have my internship experience. Contacts are really important. If you know somebody, it is easier to start working, get experience then move to your dream job.
Jake Kakar
6’4", Guard 190 lbs.
Hometown: Boston, MA Barry Basketball player for three years
Currently plays in Germany
BUC Bio
All-SCC Second Team
Led the team in scoring averaging 15ppg
Shooting 46% from the field and 41.6% from three.
Tied for first on the team in three-pointers made in the season (77).
Career high of 36 points on 10/16 shooting from three in NCAA Division 2 tournament game.
A Word of Advice
I’m grateful to have played for a great program and a great coach, Butch Estes. They really prepared me very well to adjust to the professional game, and I grew a lot as a leader in my time at Barry. I would say be prepared to take your work ethic to the next level.
The competition within the team is very high. There are a lot of talented players and you’re not entitled to anything. Be consistent and disciplined...and avoid distractions that come with the Miami lifestyle.
Ida Andersson
5’10", Guard Hometown: Sodertalje, Sweden Barry Basketball player for two years
Currently plays in Australia (previously in Spain and Sweden)
BUC Bio
Led the team in minutes and rebounds (2018-19)
Averaged 13.9 points per game (2018-19)
Had a season high 30 points on 9-of-16 shooting and 8-of-11 from three-point range vs Palm Beach Atlantic. (January 16, 2019)
Scored in double figures 22 times
Named to the Dean's List in the Fall and President's List in Spring 2018-2019
Earned a spot on the SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll 2018-2019
A Word of Advice
A life lesson I was taught at Barry was how to bring multiple people with different backgrounds and cultures together and lead a team in the best way I could. That includes communication, knowing different personalities, and just how these individuals can work best together. I got help from Coach Sullivan, Coach Finch, and from our sports psychology department. I use these skills daily.
I get a call once in a while from younger players wondering what life overseas is like. I always say, ‘Do it! See where you can take your basketball career.’ Playing professionally overseas is such an amazing experience, not only the basketball part, but the things you learn along the way. You learn not only about yourself but about new playing styles, different cultures; you make new friends.