Hardworking, fearless and driven are all adjectives that describe Hofstra University’s women’s basketball freshman Syniya Barton. 

Barton’s story began at Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in Queens, New York, when Barton participated in a clinic hosted by the high school when she was in eighth grade. Dewey Hopkins, head coach of Monsignor McClancy’s women’s varsity basketball team, recalled watching Barton for the first time and instantly knowing how lucky he was to have found her.

“[Barton’s] athletic ability stood out to us the most,” Hopkins said. “We always knew she was going to be something special.”

Monsignor McClancy High competes in the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA), the most competitive high school league in New York City. Barton participated in widely known New York City tournaments like Nike’s NYvsNY competition and The Rose Classic, the latter being where she won Tournament M.V.P. for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The popularity of these tournaments brought in A-list celebrities like rapper Coi Leray, captain of the New York Knicks Jalen Brunson and Kiyan Anthony, the son of Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony. 

“You get the best of the best every night in big leagues like this,” Barton said. “From playing in different gyms across the city where you have step teams stopping on bleachers while you shoot free throws or student sections talking trash, you can’t be soft playing basketball in N.Y.C.” 

Barton played at the junior varsity level during her freshman year and was moved to the varsity level by sophomore year. In Barton’s junior year, she was promoted to captain of her team, where she averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds per game. She also shot 52% from the floor and 33% from the three-point range. By Barton’s senior year, she broke the all-time rebound record for Monsignor McClancy High.

“Her dedication to the program was unmatched,” Hopkins said. “She lived in Baldwin and made the trip to East Elmhurst every single day to practice and to work out on her own.” 

Leah Hernandez Rizzo, assistant coach for Monsignor McClancy, had a close relationship with Barton throughout her high school career.

“[Barton] came to the high school level raw and unsure, but from day one her eagerness to learn and her passion for the game shined,” Rizzo said. 

Rizzo went further and called Barton’s high school coach to get her a spot on an Amateur Athletic Union team while Hernandez Rizzo’s husband became Barton’s primary trainer. 

“I believed in her so much,” Hernandez Rizzo said. “Today, the opportunities she’s getting are a direct result of her discipline, her character and her relentless heart.”

When going through times of self-doubt and long nights of practice, Barton looked to her mother for motivation. 

“My mother came to the [United States] at just 16 years old from Jamaica. At different times of her life, she was homeless and slept on the train,” Barton said. “To see where she is today, lets me know that anything is possible. She is why I play basketball; she is why I haven’t stopped.” 

Heading into her junior year of high school, Barton had not received a Division I offer. It wasn’t until Lance White, the associate head coach of Hofstra’s women’s basketball team, changed Barton’s life with a single phone call.

“He called me and offered me a spot,” Barton said. “When I tell you my heart dropped to my stomach – I didn’t have words. I damn near cried.” 

On Barton’s official visit, Hofstra women’s basketball team’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Amber Reeves knew Barton was the perfect fit.

“We felt like when she came here, she didn’t look like an outlier,” Reeves said. “She fits in so well with the rest of the girls. Her work ethic is phenomenal. She is a kid who asks for extra workouts, film and to do extra ball handling workouts.”

Reeves recalled her first impression of Barton. 

“[Barton] worked extremely hard,” Reeves said. “She was very coachable, and she was a great teammate. She had all the things we wanted to bring into our program.” 

Olivia VanPatten, a freshman on the Hofstra women’s basketball team, shared what the transition with Barton on the team was like.

“[Barton] is such a great teammate,” VanPatten said. “Whenever I would get in my head about something on the court, she is always there to lift me up and cheer me on.” 

Barton’s family lives just 11 minutes away from Hofstra. She finds it convenient to play in her own backyard at Hofstra and in front of her family. 

“I love being so close to home because I get to see my family any time I want,” Barton said. “It’s great to have them support me at my games.” 

Barton is grateful for the sacrifices her parents have made and the time people have put into her. 

“I look forward to the good days, the bad days [and] the hardships.” Barton said. “I’m ready for it all. It’s going to be worth it.”