Why Janiah Barker Addressed That Viral Handshake With Cori Close

A social media video showing a brief interaction between basketball player Janiah Barker and her former coach, Cori Close, drew attention online. The clip, from a postgame handshake line, led to public discussion about the nature of their relationship following Barker’s transfer from UCLA to Texas A&M.

Main News

Janiah Barker, now a forward at Texas A&M, recently addressed a viral video clip from a November game against UCLA. The video showed an apparent moment of hesitation in the handshake line between Barker and UCLA head coach Cori Close.

Barker clarified the incident on social media, stating there was no issue between her and Close. She explained that she was momentarily distracted while looking for a former teammate in the line, which caused the brief pause.

Barker played for UCLA during the 2021-22 season before transferring. She described her time at UCLA positively and referred to Coach Close as a “great coach.”

Cori Close, when asked about the video, supported Barker’s explanation. She stated that the moment was being overanalyzed and confirmed there is no animosity between them.

Summary

A video from a November basketball game between Texas A&M and UCLA showed Janiah Barker pausing briefly while shaking hands with her former coach, Cori Close. This moment circulated online and sparked speculation about their relationship.

Barker publicly addressed the video to clarify the situation. She stated the pause was not due to any personal conflict but because she was looking for a former UCLA teammate in the line.

Barker expressed respect for Coach Close and her experience at UCLA. Close also dismissed any overanalysis of the interaction, confirming there is no lingering issue from Barker’s transfer.

FAQs

What happened in the viral video?
A video showed Texas A&M player Janiah Barker hesitating for a moment when shaking hands with UCLA coach Cori Close after a game. Barker was previously a player at UCLA under Close before transferring.

How did Janiah Barker explain the moment?
Barker stated she was distracted while looking for a former UCLA teammate in the handshake line. She clarified there was no personal issue or animosity toward Coach Close.

What was Cori Close’s response?
The UCLA coach stated the brief interaction was being overanalyzed. She confirmed there is no problem between her and Barker, supporting the player’s explanation.