Sarah Ashlee Barker has emerged as one of Alabama women’s basketball’s brightest stars, but the athletic blood running through her veins didn’t come just from her hard work. Despite the shadow cast by her father’s football legacy, Sarah has forged her own identity, establishing herself as one of the best players in the conference. From her record-breaking 45-point performance to her clutch plays in March Madness 2025, she has emerged from the shadow of her family name. But who exactly are those people who helped her succeed?

From her father’s storied NFL career to her mother’s quiet support, Sarah’s family has been a significant factor in her journey. Here’s all you need to know about the parents who helped shape the basketball star.

Who is Sarah Ashlee Barker’s father, Jay Barker?

While Sarah’s ascent has been remarkable, her father’s journey to fame laid the groundwork. Jay Barker was more than a quarterback; he led Alabama to its 1992 national championship under coach Gene Stallings. He became a legend with ice-in-his-veins performances that helped him gather accolades like the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in his senior season and finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.

His NFL career was one with several teams (Packers, Patriots, Panthers), but his toughness remained the same. When the NFL door shut, he continued to play — first in the Canadian Football League with Toronto and then in the XFL with Birmingham. But his most important role might have been this: dad, who supported but didn’t push.

“He completely loved my decision and he completely trusted that that was the plan that God had for my life,” Sarah said, speaking of her father’s reaction to her choosing Georgia over his alma mater.

Who is Sarah Ashlee Barker’s mother, Amy Barker Rozell?

As Jay’s career grew large in broad daylight, Amy Barker Rozell was a familiar silhouette in the stands but never much in the spotlight. It does not seem to have been much different when supporting her daughter.

Family has always been Sarah’s anchor, and Amy made sure of it. Whether it was those early mornings driving to AAU tournaments or the proud smiles after SEC victories, her mother’s steady support gave Sarah the foundation to excel. In a family full of athletes—with two sons playing football—Amy was the glue keeping everyone connected.

However, little information is available to the public on her professional life.

How has Sarah Ashlee Barker’s family influenced her athletic career?

It was her mother who first asked Sarah if she’d sign up for 6-year-old YMCA basketball. Though the soon-to-be Crimson Tide declined initially, she watched her twin brother in practice and changed her mind. They played together for years after that in co-ed. Two more of her older brothers, excluding Harrison, her twin, faced her in practice often. And that was the biggest help Sarah had– they treated her like their equal.

“That’s kind of where my toughness comes from is because they’d dunk on me, they blocked my shots, like nothing came easy,” Barker said. “They didn’t care that I was a girl. They were like, ‘You’re one of us pretty much.'” 

So Sarah grew to be very close to her family. When her head coach in Georgia, Jodi Taylor accepted the job in Texas A&M, and her grandmother from her mother’s side passed away, all she could think of was getting back to her home state and playing close to her family. “SA is someone who is extremely close to her family,” Taylor admitted. “I did not think she would be successful here being so far removed from her family and them not being able to see her play.” But she thrived and when circumstances pushed her, she was back with them.

Sarah also sought her mother’s guidance in strengthening her faith in God thereafter and credits it for her growth in Alabama.

Expectations could have crushed Sarah under their weight. Instead, she accepted the challenge. “Basketball is a game of mistakes. I’ve accepted that. I love that,” she said, a perspective that was shaped in part by her family. From dad’s big-game experience to mom’s rock solid belief, Sarah’s success is a real family success story.

Want more of Sarah Ashlee Barker’s rise to greatness? Catch her lighting up the court this season. Who knows? You could very well be watching a future WNBA star in the making!