Barton was born on June 1, 2002, in Brentwood, Tennessee, and attended Ravenwood High School.

[2][3] Barton first saw playing time during his freshman season at Duke after both the first and second string centers suffered season-ending injuries.

[4] He started the Blue Devils' final five games of the season and was named a second team Freshman All-America by The Athletic.

[12] Throughout training camp, Barton competed to be the starting center against fourth-year veteran Robert Hainsey, who was the starter the previous season.

Head coach Todd Bowles named Barton the starting center to begin the season.