Walsh University new destination for Brunswick's Quinn Barnett

Due to factors out of his control, Quinn Barnett's basketball career at Division II Gannon University ended before it began. The 6-foot-2 Brunswick senior and Gazette MVP had signed a letter of intent with the Erie, Pa., school, but when head coach Jordan Fee left to take an assistant coaching job at D-I Florida Atlantic, Barnett was allowed to reconsider and will now sign with D-II Walsh University in North Canton. "It was out of nowhere," Barnett said Friday of Fee leaving. "I found out right when it happened. I was shocked a little bit because he had only been there one year. I thought he'd stay for a little while, but it was a good job opportunity for him." After winning just three games in 2022-23, the Golden Knights went 32-3 in Fee's one season, averaged 100.4 points and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Barnett, a third-team D-I All-Ohio and first-team All-Northeast Inland District selection, didn't have to look far to find a new school. Walsh, which went 24-6 overall and 15-5 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in 2023-24, was the first school to offer him a scholarship before he committed to Gannon. "They heard about the news (of Fee leaving) and called (Brunswick coach Joe) Mackey and he told me about it," Barnett said. "That opened up my decision." The proximity of the school to Brunswick played a role, and it certainly didn't hurt that Barnett's older brother, Marquis Barnett, had recently signed with nearby Kent State University after three successful seasons at D-I Presbyterian (S.C.). "I liked their style of play and the teammates there," Quinn Barnett said of his decision to go to Walsh. "I like how it's close to home. It's a big thing for my parents (Stephanie and Jason Daniel) and Coach Mackey and my other (high school) teammates to be able to watch." Barnett will be part of an incoming class that includes Louisville's Hayden Nigro, the All-Northeast Inland District D-I Player of the Year, and Mentor's Matthew Biddell, who led the Cardinals to the Greater Cleveland Conference title as a senior. Coached by Jeff Young, Walsh averaged 74.6 points and allowed 62.7 in 2023-24. The Cavaliers won the G-MAC Tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Midwest Regional before losing 74-72 to Lake Superior State (Mich.). At the end of last season, the Walsh roster featured a strong local flavor that included Zack Oddo (6-6, Green), Nate Frascone (6-7, Tuslaw), Garrison Keeslar (6-7, Green), Brent Walker (6-8, Canton McKinley), Jacob Hougan (6-9, Chardon), Andras Lane (5-10, St. Thomas Aquinas), Ben Kim (5-10, Massillon Jackson) and Ryan Smith (5-10, Green). In leading the Blue Devils to a school-record 23 wins and the first regional final appearance in program history as a senior, Barnett finished second in Medina County in scoring (19.7), eighth in assists (2.4) and fifth in steals (1.8) while shooting .512 from the field (10th), .400 on 3-pointers (3rd, 80-for-200) and .841 at the line (2nd, .841). His 552 points as a senior rank third in school history for one season. The owner of a 35-inch vertical leap, Barnett won't turn 18 until Aug. 9. Contact Rick Noland at (330) 721-4046 or rnoland@medina-gazette.com. Follow him @RickNoland on X.