Bartley was born and grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and attended Christian Life Academy, where he played basketball and football.

As a senior, he averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds and was named the District 7-1A co-MVP, All-Metro, and Class 1A All-State by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

After graduating Bartley enrolled at Future College Prep in Carson, California, for a postgraduate year and averaged 19.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.

[4] He averaged 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game and was named the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year and second team All-Conference.

[7] Bartley finished eighth in the league with 19.3 points per game and also averaged 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals and was named first team All-NBLC and the NBLC Rookie of the Year.