Luke Barrett figures this will be his year.

Driven by his own desire to achieve success, and realizing that he's come a long way since learning the game at age 13, the 6-foot-5 forward is out to prove that he's a better basketball player than others may think.

And he'll get an opportunity with the George Brown Huskies as Barrett is just one of a handful of new players, recruited by Head Coach Jonathan Smith, each committed to making the playing roster.

First things first, Barrett realizes he can't worry about what others think: he's No. 1 and plans to absorb a great deal learning from Smith, a variety of Assistant Coaches and new teammates.

"I came to George Brown because of its very good reputation for having a strong program – and I actually saw what I was missing last year," said the 20-year old Barrett, who attended Fanshawe College in London last year but saw limited action in pre-season and tournaments.

"I thought things would go better for me (at Fanshawe), but realized there was much more to learn and gain at George Brown and I also wanted to return to Toronto, for personal reasons, to be with my family more."

With pre-season games coming up in August against U.S. schools from Fairmont State University and Maryville University, then a series of tournaments and exhibition games, Barrett is hoping to put the puzzle together in time for the October 22 home opener against Seneca College.

Barrett was born in another London – the city of Royalty in England.

He came to Canada, with his family, as a teen and it was at Winona Public School where the learning game started for basketball. And it was during a game at Winona that Barrett remembers dislocating his shoulder. But things improved and he attended Oakwood Collegiate before finishing off his high school studies at Vaughan Road Academy.

"I never was the best basketball player, but the challenge is there to get better," said Barrett. "What has bothered me is that people have always under-estimated me. I know that I am not the most talented person to play this game, but I have a passion to learn, get better and do what is expected of me by the coach and team."

Smith, a former Coach of the Year in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association and coming off back-to-back seasons with teams who have been among the best in the province, sees an opportunity for Barrett.

"He's a young man looking for a chance, he's worked hard training and that's the type of character person we want at George Brown," said Smith. "(Barrett) is a very good rebounder, has good size – something we are lacking right now – and needs to work on ball handling and shooting. He's got the potential to do very well."

Barrett, working at a basketball summer camp with 11 to 19-year olds, is enrolled in the George Brown General Arts Program. Not exactly clear about his future career, he said it would definitely have something to do with helping young people reach their goals.

"Young people have to be careful," said Barrett. "I have worked with kids and told them to focus on school and not to get caught up with the foolishness of others because when they do things wrong, they will have to deal with the consequences." - DG