Harrison Barnes is the best High School Player in America
Words. Jason Jordan
Photo. ESPN.com
If you close your eyes while you’re talking to Harrison Barnes, you’d swear you were talking to Shane Battier. Open them to watch him play and you could easily mistake him for Carmelo Anthony.
Whether it’s as a gifted orator or a beast on the court, Barnes, a 6-6 swingman from Iowa, is destined for success. In the interim, we’ll bank on the latter.
Barnes, HighSchoolHoops’s top prospect, chatted with us about everything from his rumored Duke lean to why being ranked No. 1 only means there’s a lot more work to do…
HighSchoolHoop: So you’re No. 1 in our top 50. Thoughts?
Harrison Barnes: It’s very humbling. That’s a huge accomplishment.
HSH: Being the top dog lends itself to a certain degree of pressure. How do you deal with it?
HB: You know it actually doesn’t affect me like that. It just motivates me to want to be better than I am right now. That just means I’ve got to put in more work to eclipse the level that I’m at right now. That’s all that means. Being on top is an honor, but it isn’t good enough for me because I always want to get better.
HSH: But does it create a bull’s-eye?
HB: I’m very aware that there will be a target on my back, but I’m prepared for that. I’ve noticed that people are anxious to play against me more than they were before. Still, to me that doesn’t change my approach.
HSH: What’s your approach?
HB: To come in with the mindset of every time I step on the court, my team is gonna win the game. It doesn’t matter what I have to do, my team is gonna win. That’s it.
HSH: How did you high school team finish up this season?
HB: 26-0. We won a state championship.
HSH: Hard to do better than perfect, aye?
HB: That’s right! We’re trying to go for the same thing next year.
HSH: What did you average this past season?
HB: I had 20 points and eight rebounds per game.
HSH: You recently cut your list of schools. Who are you considering?
HB: That’s right I cut it to 12. Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Stanford, Minnesota, Kentucky, Southern Cal, UCLA, TCU, Iowa State and Florida.
HSH: Let’s get right into the rumors.
HB: OK.
HSH: It’s widely assumed that you’re Duke’s recruit to lose.
HB: Yeah I’ve heard that before. I think that came from me wearing a Duke shirt on one of my visits there. I definitely have some Duke apparel in my closet. I bought the shirt on a previous trip and when I came for the game I thought it was appropriate to support the home team. Now had I been at North Carolina, I would’ve worn a North Carolina shirt.
HSH: Makes sense.
HB: Yeah now imagine if I’d worn a North Carolina shirt at Duke. The Crazies would’ve gone crazier.
HSH: Are you looking to narrow your list down again soon?
HB: Well, I just cut it from 22 to 12, so I’m gonna take some time and really look at all of these schools.
HSH: Are you planning to take some visits this summer?
HB: Yes. But which ones I have not determined yet.
HSH: Do you have a leader at this point?
HB: No, all of the schools on my list are on the same level.
HSH: All on the same level huh? Someone’s got their poker face on.
HB: (Laughs) Yeah… I’m going about the process carefully. But I do like each school.
HSH: Have you already taken the SAT?
HB: Not yet. I am taking it in June. I’m taking PSAT class now.
[...] part of it? JH: I could see why people say that because we’ve got me, Tyler and Andre (Dawkins). Then we’ve got Harrison (Barnes) very high on Duke’s list. Then you’ve got guys like Kyrie Irving jumping in the mix and guys like Josh Smith. If we get [...]
[...] permalink Don’t know if this one was posted yet. DIME Magazine online. Harrison Barnes is the best High School Player in America | 2K Sports Presents High School Hoop Powe… [...]
[...] Click HERE to read our recent interview with Harrison as he breaks down his college plans. [...]
I could never pass up a chance to play for COACH K. (period)
Please Harrison, choose Duke.
why play for Coach K,
that man hasnt produced a pro player since grant hill. sure you will win games but its career suicide. play for roy williams, win championships, and be a producing pro.