"Horrible Act": WNBA Fans Call Out Janiah Barker For Brutally Declining Handshake With Former Coach 

WNBA fans were not happy with the Lady Vols’ Janiah Barker after she refused to greet her former coach, Cori Close. Close’s UCLA Bruins defeated Barker’s Tennessee 99-77 on Sunday. Barker recorded 25 points and three rebounds against her former team.

After the game, as both teams lined up to shake hands, Barker was seen pulling her hand away from Cori Close, as she walked away shaking her head. The UCLA coach was unbothered by the incident and shrugged it off. Clips of the incident were shared on X by Fox College Hoops.

Fans flooded the comment section of the clip on X, calling out Janiah Barker for her behavior toward Close. Fans called her a “horrible” act, while others alleged that the interaction would be spun as a “character issue.” Here are the most noteworthy reactions on X:

“Horrible act by the player. The coach has done nothing but speak highly of her since she left,” one fan said.

Bad Dawg Sports

@jj_pavlick

@CBBonFOX Horrible act by the player. The coach has done nothing but speak highly of her since she left.

EazyRicc

@Snaparachi_

@CBBonFOX They gone spin this into character issues for a prospect they already have a lot of question marks next to.

collegefootballguy24

@RMaverickcfbguy

@CBBonFOX I'm guessing they weren't close...

Yung DLo

@DLoThaReal

@CBBonFOX Cori thought they were Close 😂

Julia Gregg

@JuliaGregg3

@CBBonFOX She shook her hand and just didn’t want more theatrics and honestly fair

Janiah Barker played one season under Cori Close at UCLA. She played 36 games, averaging 7.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

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Janiah Barker projected to be drafted at No. 14 by the Seattle Storm

According to ESPN's 2026 WNBA mock draft, Janiah Barker is anticipated to be selected at No. 14 by the Seattle Storm. Barker, who will finish her college career after playing for Texas A&M, UCLA and Tennessee, stands tall at 6-foot-4. Her height advantage could go a long way in the WNBA.

Barker is averaging 16.6 points and 6.0 rebounds in 22.6 minutes this season. An explosive forward with a solid touch around the rim could significantly uplift the Storm, who find themselves short-handed in the frontcourt.

With only seven games played, Barker has plenty of time to boost her stock ahead of the 2026 WNBA draft. Next year's class includes top prospects like Flau'Jae Johnson, Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, Awa Fam, Olivia Miles and more.

With such an abundance of talent, it would not be surprising if she falls below No. 14. For now, the Lady Vols' forward will be focused on closing out her college career strongly.