Portland Fire fans catch the fever for Alabama’s SAB
The former Spain Park High School star has recorded two signature plays in the WNBA expansion team’s four games.
Olivia Bennett 
The Moda Center has a new favorite. Portland Fire guard Sarah Ashlee Barker is officially winning over the Pacific Northwest, with fans breaking into thunderous chants of “SAB!” following Monday night’s thrilling 83-82 victory over the Connecticut Sun.
For the former Spain Park High School and Alabama standout, the reception is as genuine as her hustle on the court. Fire coach Alex Sarama says the crowd’s adoration is a direct reflection of Barker’s impact. “I think it’s just, you know, we talk about our Fire values and our Fire fit. That’s it. It’s grit. It’s resilience. It’s being the hardest worker every single minute. And I think SA shows all of that and more,” Sarama noted.
Making an Impact
Barker’s performance against the Sun was a statement, as she posted a WNBA career-high 18 points. Her signature moment came with just 62 seconds remaining: a defensive steal from Sun center Brittney Griner, followed by a transition layup and a made free throw for a crucial three-point play that helped seal the win.
“It’s pretty cool,” Barker said regarding the fan chants. “The fans here are, like, special. Like, I’ve really never experienced it before in my life with how genuine and how they just seem like they’re a part of us.”
A Pattern of Heroics
This isn’t the first time the rookie has delivered in the clutch. On Thursday, Barker secured the Fire’s first-ever win by burying a buzzer-beater off an offensive rebound to topple the New York Liberty 98-96.
Barker credits her success to a team-first philosophy. “I’ve always been someone who enjoys doing the little things, enjoys rebounding, enjoys playing defense and just doing whatever the team needs of me,” Barker said. “And I kind of live by just, like, less of me, more of my teammates; less of me, more of Jesus; less of me, more of other people.”
Finding Her Joy
Barker, who averaged 3.1 points per game as a rookie with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2025, has found new life since joining Portland via the expansion draft this past April.
“Playing with so much joy,” Barker said of the 2026 campaign. “It’s been a lot of fun this year playing basketball. I think this year, it was a big emphasis on myself was like just go play fun. Like, go have fun. Like, play like when you’re 6 years old in the driveway with your brothers.”
Barker and the Fire look to carry that momentum onto the road. They face the Indiana Fever at 6 p.m. CDT Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game will be televised on the USA Network.
