UCLA forward Janiah Barker has been a consistent performer during the 2024-25 season, averaging 7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Her collegiate basketball journey has been shaped significantly by her family.
Who Are Janiah Barker’s Parents?
Janiah is the daughter of Leshel and Tyrone Barker. Her mother, Leshel, is an entrepreneur and professional loctician. She owns and operates Leshel Locs, a hair care company in Panama City, Fla., specializing in creating, maintaining, and styling dreadlocks.
Her father, Tyrone, introduced her to basketball at a young age, recognizing her potential early and supporting her development.
The Barker family later moved to Tampa, Fla., where Janiah attended Tampa Bay Technical High School. There, she made a name for herself in the basketball community before transferring to Montverde Academy as a senior, earning McDonald’s All-American honors in 2022, a testament to her parents’ support and guidance.
Barker’s Family Influence and Siblings
Janiah’s family has played a crucial role in her basketball journey. Her mother balanced her professional commitments while supporting her aspirations, creating a nurturing environment that fostered Janiah’s growth.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Janiah acknowledged her father’s pivotal role in her development:
“From the driveway to arenas… my confidence is because of you, Dad”
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The post was part of a collaboration with Adidas, featuring a video in which Tyrone reflected on their training sessions: “We would stay in the gym, all the other girls would leave, me and her just being a shoot. We’d be in the driveway shooting.”
Janiah responded, emphasizing the emotional support she received: “The support that you gave me, the confidence that you were still in me, the words that you pour into me when I don’t feel it.”
Janiah also has two brothers, Jabari Hunt and Jeyden Barker, who have been supportive figures in her life. Her father and one of her brothers joined her on her official visit to UCLA after she entered the transfer portal following her Texas A&M career, reflecting the tight-knit nature of the Barker family.
“I cried because it was just like, ‘Bro, you don’t know how much of a blessing this is,’” Barker said of her visit, being offered a scholarship on the same day. “They definitely gave me a chance. They wanted to get to know me, and they aren’t the type of people that are just basketball people. They want to make sure you’re OK as a person, and that’s been known since Day 1.”
Janiah’s resilience is rooted in her family’s unwavering support. Their belief in her abilities has shaped her athletic path and instilled in her a deep sense of gratitude and determination. As she continues to elevate her game, the foundation laid by her parents and siblings remains a guiding force in her basketball career.