UTEP picked up a brand-new 2025 commit on Wednesday, as Ohio native De'Erick Barber chose to give his pledge to the Miners fresh off an official visit to El Paso.

Though he held offers from the likes of Arizona State, Duquesne, Kent State and several other programs, Joe Golding and his staff won the battle for the talented point guard. Barber discussed his decision Wednesday evening in an exclusive interview with MinerInsider.com.

“When I was on my visit, I really liked the campus," explained Barber. "And the connection with Coach Golding and Coach Earl [Boykins] and all the other staff, I liked it a lot. They showed a lot of love, and it felt like home as soon as I stepped on [campus].”

Relationships proved decisive in UTEP's recruitment of Barber, and meeting face-to-face with Golding and Boykins effectively sealed the deal.

“Just how they carry themselves, and how they talk," he remarked. "I feel like I can improve as a basketball player and also as a man. And they gave me advice, they introduced me to a lot of people, and showed me things that I can do to get better. Even though I’m not there yet, they told me what I can do to improve my body and a lot of stuff like that. They just showed me a lot of love.”