Tag Archives: Harrison Barnes

Interview with 2010 prospect Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes (6-6, 182) Class of 2010, HS _ Ames Senior, Ames, IA AAU Team - All Iowa Attack

Barnes is the real deal.  He has a great overall package on the court.  He slashes to the rim, can take his man inside or out and is a capable rebounder.  His defense is really good for a young kid and he spaces and moves about the court well.  Plays within himself and is selfless.  He's bright, well mannered and attentive.  As a soph, he averaged 16.8 PPG.  He is in nearly everybodies 2010 Top Ten Prospects list.  He is being evaluated by Duke this week.
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If someone had never seen you play, how would you describe your game?

I would just say that I can do anything I need for the team to win.  I can post up, go out to the perimeter, take the ball in, play defense.  I would sacrifice my time and stay on the bench or do whatever to help my team win.

Where are you in the recruiting process at this time?

Iowa State and Iowa have been on me for a long time being that I play in state.  Indiana, VCU, Maryland, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, USC have all offered.

Wow!  That's quite a list.  Are you open for anybody else to come in?

Oh yeah.

Are you hearing from other schools?  Who have you heard from of late?

LSU, Georgetown and Duke

What about Georgetown?

They just say that they want to talk to me.  They've called and expressed that they have interest in me.

What about Duke?

One of the coaches called recently.

Being from the Midwest, are you opposed to possibly going east?

Right now, I'm just waiting it out.  I haven't ruled out going far yet.  I am open to anyone.

What about your family, how would they feel about you leaving the area?

My Mom is okay with it.  She has always said it was my decision to make, so she will support me anywhere I go.

Do you come from a big family?

Just me and my Mom and my sister.

Where does education come into play?

It's top of the list.  It's ahead of basketball.  You can only play basketball for so long.

Have you thought about what you might want to take in college?

Business

Give me three words that best describes you as a person?

I'd say I'm personable, I'm a talker, I can talk ... communicate and I'm humble.

So, is there a timeline?  Will you take all five officials or will you make a choice when it feels right?

I'm just taking my time right now.  I am in no rush.

Who do you pattern your game after?

The skills?  Somebody like Durrant.

How tall are you right now?

I'm 6-6 ... 6-7

And you are how old?

I just turned 16.

So, you have a long ways to go ... a lot of big schools are coming at you now.  How do you stay grounded?

(At this time Travis McKie walked up and messed with Barnes)  I said, "Hey, you got your time," as he walked off.  Barnes stayed focused)

You just take it all in stride, one level at a time.

Do you go to a public school or a private school?

I go to a public school.

Do you have a preference in college?

As long as I get a good education ... that's all that matters.

Have you thought about being in classrooms that had like 130 as opposed to say 40?

I'd kind of like a small classroom.

Can you see yourself in the future and how you might use a business degree?

I just want to learn some managing skills and how money works in certain settings.  I'd just like to start my own business.  I would be willing to work in a larger firm until I figured out what I wanted.

What do you need to work on?

My dribbling so that I can play the 2 or 3 better in college.

Tell me one thing about Travis McKie that nobody knows?

(Looking at McKie who appeared again, laughing) Travis McKie, he's a punk.  Seriously, I have had a chance to meet a lot of people at the camps and it has been enlightening.

Thanks for your time!

Thank you.[/private]

Our infamous General Update #17 is up! (Get the real scoop on recruting)

Coach K addressed the media today and mentioned that he would hit the road with his staff in early July.  The exact date is July the 6th, which is Sunday.  Former Coach Johnny Dawkins will serve with Team USA.  Coach also mentioned that they try to recruit certain one and done type of kids and that he favored allowing talented kids go straight to the pros.  He mentioned he preferred a two and one or two year commitment as well.

[private]Duke kicks it off at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio where Coach K and Wojo will cover Jamil Wilson who we interviewed just days ago, Harrison Barnes whose interview will be up tomorrow and Jason Morris, our latest premium offering.   They will of course check out Andre Dawkins our first commitment in the class of 2010.

Coach Collins will be solo at the Adidas Tournament in Cincy.  There he will see Josh Hairston who BDN has made it clear we think will be a Dukie and Nate Lubick who we interviewed last week.  He will also see Josh Smith, 2010 PG Tyler Thornton who visited Duke unofficially just a short time ago and Ray McCallum.

Around July the 8th, Coach K will go to the Reebok event where he will watch Kenny Boynton, Brandon Knight, Terrell Vinson and Nick Russell.

Before Adidas, Collins will be solo at the Adidas event in Cincy.  There he will watch Josh Hairston, who I have told you will commit to Duke unless something goes really wrong.  Add Nate Lubick who I interviewed recently for BDN Premium, Tyler Thornton who visited Duke last week unofficially, Josh Smith and Ray McCallam.

Nate James will make his first splash at the Peach Jam (we will be at this event) where Wojo will show him the ropes.  Jamil Wilson, Andre Dawkins who we are waiting to talk to in person and several youngsters will be at this event as well.

Meanwhile, Chris Collins will head to Miami with Coach K where they will take in Team Breakdown's Annual Tournament.  He will of course be watching Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight.  Oh, and don't pay too much attention to how Kenny responded to the Duke question in the link I provided.  I want it out there that Duke is not the leader from his mouth.  The reason being, the media can pick at Duke by asking him this question.  That's the same thing that happened in the Monroe recruitment.  He may well have gotten tired of the Duke leads questions.  If the media gets wind of this statement, then this constant question will be defused.  I mean Kendall Marshall's unscrupulous Father used this to annoy Kenny during the NBAPA Camp.

Then Duke will be represented at the Triple S Harley Jamfest- in West Virginia.  Hairston and Thornton will participate in this event.  The open period for coaches ends on this weekend and then they return to duties in Vegas with Team USA.

Duke will install their new scoreboard in Cameron Indoor Stadium in August.  All of the men's team is currently on campus and playing pick up together with the exception of Henderson and Zoubs.  Their injuries are healing as expected and they are on schedule.  Our next interview is with the hot prospect, Harrison Barnes.  Keep the names here, folks!  No hints out there please.[/private]