Ultimate West Coaster Adia Barnes of Arizona sad for Pac-12 changes, excited for what's next

Everything about Adia Barnes just screams "West Coast."

Born and raised in San Diego, she played college ball in Arizona.

She won the 2004 WNBA Championship with the Seattle Storm.

Heck, Barnes only left what she surely sees as the best coast to play professionally overseas and, in the offseason, she came back to Seattle, her second home.

And, of course, now she coaches at her alma mater, Arizona.

It’s only logical that for Barnes, the dismantling of the Pac-12 Conference hit hard.

“I can’t believe it’s the last year,” Barnes said.

“People talk about the Big 12, and it’s surreal to me,” she continued. “I think it's sad. I’m a Pac-12 person. I played in the Pac-10. I feel like the West Coast isn’t the West Coast without a Pac-12 Conference.

“But I think that for me, it's also exciting to go to something different. It's exciting to have a different conference, play different teams. I think it's exciting for the community. They get to watch teams they haven't really seen and I think that's going to be fun.”

This is the first time since Arizona decided to join the Big 12 for the 2023-24 season that Barnes has addressed the university's decision to vacate the Pac-12 for the Big 12 alongside fellow Pac-12 schools Colorado, Utah and rival ASU.

Former Arizona coach Joan Bonvicini, the winningest coach in UA history (287) over a 17-season span, was disappointed, but she quickly focused on celebrating the upcoming season.

“It will be a special year because (the conference has) been great historically — great people, great players, great coaches and great universities and rivalries,” said Bonvicini, now a basketball analyst.

“I hope that the players and coaches at every school, really value that and cherish each moment. I hope the Pac-12 makes this a special year for everybody. But I do think this last year is really important. Because the Pac-12 has been a great conference for so many," she said. "I mean you just go back and even before it was Pac-10, (UCLA coach John) Wooden’s teams — I mean, it's just unbelievable history.”

For the athletes, from a name, image and likeness (NIL) standpoint, the move to the Big 12 may bring positives. Former UA standout Danielle Adefeso, who is founder and CEO of Elevated Sports Group and represents several Arizona student-athletes from the women’s basketball and volleyball squad, gave the breakdown locally and nationally. Adefeso said, “Hopefully, we’ll up our game because we are in a bigger conference.

Adefeso noted that women's basketball players in conferences like the SEC and Big 12 may have a better shot at national deals, while adding that locally, things won't change much as “Tucson is such a good community and they rally behind the women, it won't affect them."

But there’s no doubt it’s the end of an era in so many ways.

No more facing Stanford twice a year for the Wildcats; Barnes joked that maybe that isn’t a bad thing.

The Cardinal have always been a challenge for any opponent, including the Wildcats. And it could be argued that Stanford stood in the way of a few conference titles, and of course, that 2021 national championship.

Barnes has only beat Stanford twice — once as a player (1998) and once as a coach (2020). The Wildcats have only taken down the Cardinal eight times since Barnes wore the Wildcats’ uniform.

The coach who is heading into her eighth season at the helm of the UA program, knows that teams in the ACC — that's the conference that Stanford is moving to next season — are not too keen on playing one of the traditional powers in women’s basketball on a regular basis.

Barnes, who has a close relationship with Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer and respects what she’s done for women’s basketball, said she will try to schedule nonconference games with Stanford every year.

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“It's funny because our conference is really, really strong,” Barnes said. “To have probably one of the strongest (seasons) in years and then to dismantle (the Pac-12) is kind of devastating, but it is what it is. I don't really get too caught up in who we're playing. I just am excited for something different.”

Nnaji posting up

Entering her second season as a Wildcat, Maya Nnaji is ready to do whatever her teammates and coaches need her to do.

That may be stepping up in a leadership role, getting physical down low, rebounding, making layups or even stepping out to take a rare 3-point shot (she made 1 of 2 attempts last season). The 6-4 post averaged 13 minutes of action per game, despite missing time for a concussion.

Barnes said that Nnaji is one of the players who have made big jumps in the offseason.

“She's really taken her fitness to another level to really focus on her diet, her eating and her strength and she looks really good. I think that she's in a good place,” Barnes said of one of the highest-rated recruits in UA history.

Nnaji came in at No. 9 in the Class of 2023 and played behind fifth-year senior Cate Reese and then-senior Esmery Martinez. Now she has “big goals” helping this year’s young squad surprise opponents.

“I’ve been in the gym; I got some work in with NBA trainers in the offseason,” Nnaji said, whose brother Zeke is a former Wildcat, too, and now plays for the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets.

“Just grinding every day," she said. "I've been working on my defense, as well my footwork. I'm quicker, better stamina. I feel more ready. I have a better understanding of what's going to happen. I'm more prepared.”

Rookie Jones' big offseason strides

Another Wildcat who has taken big strides during the offseason is freshman Skylar Jones.

Redshirt junior Isis Beh has seen her roommate evolve.

“With Skyler it has been a big change with her confidence because as a freshman it can be hard,” Beh said. “She's doing a good job of growing into the new role she has.”

Barnes said Jones, the 6-0 guard from Chicago, has really come into her own over the last six weeks and has an opportunity to play a big role for the Wildcats this year.

Pueyo holds off on pro ball

Lanky guard Helena Pueyo turned down a three-year professional contract overseas to come back for her fifth year at Arizona.

Pueyo and fellow Wildcat fifth-year Esmery Martinez will accompany Barnes to Pac-12 Media Day in Las Vegas on Tuesday.  

Barnes not sweating rankings, expectations

Barnes hasn’t aired any early expectations for this season. She’s too focused on getting her young team ready.

The early rankings — especially preseason AP rankings, which come out Oct. 17 — most likely won’t include the Wildcats because they are an unknown with six new active players.

Barnes isn't fazed.

“I wouldn't be surprised if we're going to be Top 25 after a month or two,” Barnes said.