Aubrey Academy Spotlight: Evans Barning Jr. Takes His Game to Division I Basketball at WVU
/At Aubrey Academy, we believe that student-athletes deserve every opportunity to succeed both on the court and in the classroom. Competing at the next level, especially in Division I basketball, requires more than just talent — it takes discipline, resilience, academic readiness, and a strong support system of coaches, parents, teachers, and mentors working together.
This is what drives our work every day: providing flexible, NCAA-approved online high school courses that allow athletes to balance training, travel, and competition with their academic progress. When these pieces come together, anything is possible.
The Power of Collaboration
We’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when a community rallies behind a student-athlete. Coaches who push their players to new heights. Parents who provide encouragement and guidance. Teachers who adapt learning to fit demanding schedules. Mentors who open doors to new opportunities.
A recent success story perfectly captures this spirit. Thanks to an introduction from Dash at D-Lab, Aubrey Academy was able to support a talented young player in his journey to achieve something extraordinary.
Spotlight on Evans Barning Jr.
That player is Evans Barning Jr., a 6-foot-7 forward from Toronto, Ontario, who has officially committed to play Division I basketball at West Virginia University (WVU).
Evans has been making waves across the basketball world. At Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., he averaged 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this past season, with standout performances such as:
13 points and 11 rebounds against DeMatha
20 points and 11 rebounds versus Concordia Prep
17 points and 15 rebounds against Neumann Goretti
He also starred with Team Durant in the Nike EYBL circuit, where he averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game at Peach Jam, highlighted by a 29-point explosion against eventual champions Brad Beal Elite.
“I want to thank God for putting me in this position to exceed. My family for supporting my dreams since day one. My teammates for fighting with me through hardship. That being said, I’m excited to go to WVU.”
A Big Decision: Reclassifying to 2025
Originally a member of the Class of 2026, Evans has chosen to reclassify to 2025 and will join WVU for the 2025-26 season. Taking the final roster spot, he begins his next chapter in the prestigious Big 12 Conference under head coach Ross Hodge, who praised him as “a versatile forward with great length and athleticism.”
Balancing Academics and Athletics
What makes Evans’ story special is not just his athletic accomplishments but the way he managed to stay academically strong while competing at the highest levels. With Aubrey Academy’s flexible online programs, he was able to stay prepared for NCAA eligibility requirements while keeping pace with his athletic commitments.
Our role wasn’t to change Evans’ story — it was to support it. By providing the tools, structure, and flexibility, we helped create the space for his talent, dedication, and character to shine.
From Dream to Reality
Evans summed it up best himself:
“I want to thank God for putting me in this position to exceed. My family for supporting my dreams since day one. My teammates for fighting with me through hardship. That being said, I’m excited to go to WVU.”
His commitment to West Virginia is a proud moment for Evans, his family, his coaches, and for us here at Aubrey Academy. It also serves as inspiration for every student-athlete who dreams of reaching the next level.
At Aubrey Academy, we help student-athletes like Evans balance their academics and athletics while preparing for NCAA eligibility and university pathways.
If you’re a student, parent, or coach looking for the right support system, we’d love to connect.
👉 Learn more about Aubrey Academy’s programs
👉 Contact us today to get started