Happy Birthday to Will Barton, Memphis Tigers’ 2012 C‑USA Player of the Year

Quick Facts

• Date: January 6 (born 1991)
• Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
• Memphis connection: Guard for the University of Memphis Tigers (2010–2012)
• Honors at Memphis: Conference USA Player of the Year (2012); All‑C‑USA First Team (2012)
• Notable stats: 2011–12 season averages of 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds; 1,062 career points in two seasons
• After Memphis: Selected 40th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers; later set Denver’s franchise record for career three‑pointers on March 4, 2022

Main Story

In the 901, few guards packed a stat sheet—and an arena—like Will Barton did during his two seasons with the Memphis Tigers. Born January 6, 1991, in Baltimore, Barton arrived on campus in 2010 and quickly became a centerpiece for the program. As a sophomore in 2011–12, he averaged 18.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, earning Conference USA Player of the Year and first‑team All‑C‑USA honors. That same season, Memphis swept the C‑USA regular‑season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Those FedExForum nights helped cement a post‑Calipari era identity built on energy, effort, and a Beale Street buzz that felt uniquely Memphis.

Barton declared for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year and was selected 40th overall by Portland in 2012. He went on to an 11‑year NBA career, most notably in Denver, where he set the Nuggets’ career mark for made three‑pointers in March 2022 (a record later surpassed in 2023). Through it all, his Memphis years remained a defining foundation—two seasons that showcased his all‑around game and reflected the city’s grit and pride.

Legacy

For Memphis history, Barton’s birthday is a reminder of how short stays can have lasting impact. His 1,062 points in the Bluff City, his leadership on a title‑sweeping 2011–12 squad, and his leap to the pros all contribute to the Tigers’ modern legacy. Celebrating Barton also celebrates the pipeline from Memphis to the NBA—and the culture that makes Tigers basketball a point of pride across Beale Street and beyond.

https://gotigersgo.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/will-barton/3043, https://gotigersgo.com/news/2012/11/11/Memphis_Basketball_Notes, https://conferenceusa.com/sports/2016/7/1/sports-m-baskbl-spec-rel-12-mbb-champs-blog-0307-html.aspx, https://www.nba.com/player/203115, https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/6579/will-barton, https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bartowi01.html, https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/will-barton-denver-nuggets-career-leader-3-pointers/, https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/nuggets-guard-jamal-murray-breaks-franchise-record-most-3-pointers-made-in-career/