Mid-major basketball thrives on the stories of underrated players with unique backgrounds. It’s a level where underrecruited talent and overlooked skill sets come to light, creating compelling narratives when a hidden gem emerges as one of college basketball’s best-kept secrets.
Miles Barnstable is one of the best stories in college basketball this season. The St. Thomas junior guard took an unconventional path to success, starting with only Division III recruiting interest out of high school to becoming a standout at the Division I level.
After spending two seasons developing his game at Division III UW-Whitewater, Barnstable made the leap to Division I, where he has emerged as a vital contributor for St. Thomas this season.
“It’s been great to see my growth,” Barnstable said. “I have exceeded my expectations so far. I’m proud of what I have done. But it’s not over yet, I need to keep going.”
The junior year of high school is a pivotal time in the recruiting process for aspiring athletes. However, Barnstable, a Wisconsin native, missed this critical season of high school basketball after transferring from Sheboygan Lutheran to Howards Grove.
Adding to the challenge, Barnstable wasn’t active on the AAU circuit, which limited his exposure to college recruiters and left him drawing interest only from Division III programs.
As a senior, Barnstable showed flashes of his potential, receiving the conference player of the year award. He also gained valuable experience playing for Chapman Basketball Academy, a respected Wisconsin-based program, for about a month on the AAU circuit. By the end of his senior year in 2022, he committed to UW-Whitewater.
“I didn’t get recruited by a ton of schools,” Barnstable said. “It wasn’t until after my senior year of high school that I got offers.”
Barnstable made an immediate statement at the Division III level. He averaged 17.8 points per game on 50% shooting, including 45.8% from 3, as a starter his freshman season. He posted similar numbers his sophomore year, averaging 16.4 points per contest.
The experience allowed Barnstable to acclimate himself to the college game and enhance his skills to take the next step in his collegiate career. He also played alongside his older brother, Delvin, during his two years at Whitewater.
After his sophomore season, Barnstable sought an opportunity to prove himself at the Division I level. He committed to St. Thomas over Mercyhurst, citing his strong relationship with the coaching staff.
St. Thomas is currently in the midst of a four-year transition from Division III to Division I. Barnstable valued St. Thomas coach Johnny Tauer’s experience at the Division III level, believing his expertise in helping players make the jump to higher competition would be invaluable.
Barnstable has thrived in his first year at St. Thomas. While the transition hasn’t come without its challenges, he has gained confidence and emerged as the Tommies’ top scorer.
“I love how we play,” Barnstable said. “We ran like the same pace (at Whitewater) that we run here. The coaching staff here is amazing, and they have made me grow as a player so much.”
This season, Barnstable is averaging 14.9 points per game on 44.7% shooting in 20 games. He is a key factor in St. Thomas’ perfect 5-0 start in Summit League play, where he has elevated his performance to 19.8 points per game on 50.8% shooting. His standout conference play includes three games with at least 20 points, highlighted by impressive 28- and 30-point performances.
St. Thomas (15-5) has steadily increased its win total in each of its first three years at the Division I level. The Tommies are on track to surpass last year’s 20-win mark. Although they are ineligible for the NCAA Tournament this season due to the Division I transition period, the Tommies hope to with the Summit League.
“We need to keep going,” Barnstable said. “We need to keep a level head and not get too high on ourselves. In conference play, anyone can beat anyone on any given night. We just need to keep working hard.”
Barnstable’s journey is a testament to his perseverance and work ethic. What started as a journey with limited opportunities has blossomed into a promising career at the Division I level, and his story is far from over.
“I have enjoyed the path,” Barnstable said. “I love where I am at and being with this team. It’s great to say I’m a Division I athlete now. But it’s hard to get too high on myself because we still have a season to play.”
