NCAA basketball: Tennessee’s Janiah Barker has awkward postgame moment with UCLA coach
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Tennessee Lady Volunteers women’s basketball forward Janiah Barker had an icy moment in the handshake line with UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close after Sunday’s game.
Barker scored 25 points in 27 minutes to lead the 14th-ranked Lady Vols. The No. 3 Bruins managed to take the 22-point win, 99-77.
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Tennessee forward Janiah Barker (0) tackles UCLA center Lauren Betts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
When the broadcast set to players and coaches shaking hands with each other in a show of good sportsmanship, Barker removed his hand from Close and continued walking down the line. Close threw up his hands and shrugged at the moment.
Barker transferred to Tennessee from UCLA after spending just one year in Southern California. He appeared in 36 games and made three starts. He averaged 7.4 points and 6 rebounds per game.
He reacted to the moment on social media, saying he had no ill will towards Close.
Tennessee forward Janiah Barker (0) reacts at the end of the NCAA college basketball game against UCLA on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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“Respect! We shook hands. I wish nothing but the best for Coach (Cori) and my UCLA family,” he wrote to X.
Close shared the same sentiments about the handshake line incident being an anomaly.
“Other than this game, I want to wish Janiah Barker nothing but the best. I think she is a fantastic player, she has given us so much both on and off the field. And I would also like to say that I wish her nothing but the best for the rest of the season,” he said. Sports Illustrated.
UCLA head coach Cori Close talks to her players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Duke during the Players Era tournament on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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UCLA improved to 8-1 this year. Tennessee fell to 5-2.
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