Xavier Barnes is a senior at Woodhaven High School and is well-involved with the whole school due to his social butterfly nature. He has been a significant factor in Woodhaven’s sports success in recent years, participating in Basketball and Football. What he excels at most, though, is his friendly personality. He always has a positive attitude in almost every situation.
Who was one person in your life that inspired you growing up?
Regarding who inspired me, I can’t pinpoint it to one person. My siblings were significantly involved, especially in molding my confidence and early sports involvement. This was a key to my success because it’s easy to sit back and observe when you have eight siblings, learning vital living skills.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What goals/accomplishments do you think you will achieve?
I see myself successful in many fields, conquering everything that inspires me. I see myself playing a professional sport, while still managing to build on my likeness and image to open the door for future opportunities.
What led you to play the sports you did throughout high school?
My early involvement played a significant role. Ever since I came out of the wound, my family just instilled sports within me, and it was never forced; I always just gravitated toward it.
What’s one moment in sports that you frequently look back on?
One moment that I reflect on most involving sports would have to be when we came back from 22 points against Summit Academy, featuring a 41-point game from Brayden White and a 26-rebound game from myself. This moment was special because it helped build a brotherhood and a bond as it showcased our confidence in each other and our ability to handle adversity.
What’s the route you are going to be taking after high school?
I plan on taking the university route, as I will pursue football. This decision took a lot of thought and consideration, especially since I play multiple sports and have a surplus of outlets to pursue these endeavors. But I knew this would suit me best when it all boiled down.
Why are you so passionate about sports?
I’m passionate about sports because every one of them is like therapy in their own way. Basketball is my way of expressing my creativity since I display my thought process through my movements. Football is a form of expressing my aggression in a controlled manner.
What or who can you thank for your success in sports, too?
When it comes to giving thanks, my family and friends played a major role in shaping my game. Growing up, I didn’t have trainers, so hands-on experience was my biggest lesson.
What other hobbies or jobs do you see yourself doing besides pursuing sports?
I plan on pursuing a business career, but while doing so, I will be sharpening my skills in literacy, most specifically sports literacy. I first wanted to do something with sports and business, but I wanted to open myself to more than one field of business, so studying the field as a whole would be the best fit.
As a person with a great work ethic when it comes to sports, what is the driving factor for your hard work?
I often tell people you can’t force somebody to want it, meaning if you don’t truly have the hunger to get it yourself under any means necessary then you don’t want it. So when it all boils down, self-motivation is one of the biggest motivators for me, alongside my family, and friends, and the urge to inspire the youth
What goes into being Xavier Barnes?
When it comes to what goes into being me, it’s not much to it. I’m not a complex person and when it comes to me maturing as a person, I’ve developed a sense of discovery to a point where I know what I want and I know what I must sacrifice to achieve such things. All in all, focusing on the minor things in life allows you to appreciate every aspect of it.
