Scottie Barnes loved it all: the workouts, the meetings, even the building anticipation. The exuberance from just talking about the pre-draft process and Thursday’s NBA draft seemed to come through, as with his boisterous playing style.
That is not enough to have made him the coveted prospect he is, possibly the first forward selected.
Though still a long shot to crack the draft class’ presumed top four, he is the best bet among forwards to do so, having already moved in many predictions to go as high as fifth. That took his combination of talents and physical abilities as much as his enthusiasm for the game.
Yet it is easy to see how his exuberance translates to his high-energy, full-court playing style — and why teams could have confidence he will grow into an impact player as a point forward.
“It’s just the beginning,” Barnes said. “I’m so excited to take it on, show I can compete at this next level, show all my hard work and effort I put into this game, why I love it so much. I’m just ready to show it at the biggest stage.”
Barnes is a particularly intriguing prospect for his combination of great size (6-8, 225 pounds, with 7-2 wingspan), playmaking abilities and defensive potential. It is no surprise he would be so highly regarded. He was one of the nation’s most coveted recruits after he played point guard on a Monteverde Academy team with Cade Cunningham, Moses Moody and Day’Ron Sharpe and starred on USA Basketball U17 and U19 teams.
But if there were any doubt, he offered a detailed scouting report.
“Having long arms, having big hands, being able to move so well for my size, being quick, being able to jump really high,” Barnes said. “Also, me having energy and bringing it on the court.
“Me being athletic, being able to have that playmaking IQ on the court, having that vision just makes me so unique on the floor, where I can see different things, see different reads that naturally other people can’t see.”
The doubts are about his shooting. In his lone collegiate season at Florida State, he made just 27.5 percent of his 3s, 62.1 percent of his free throws.
“I’m really improving on my offensive game,” Barnes said. “People over(emphasize) that because of different things I did this year. I didn’t really shoot the ball as well as I could. I would say I’m letting things come to me natural. My offensive game, I would say, is good. They will see.
“I bring energy. I bring a defensive mindset. I bring a winning culture of basketball. I bring my playmaking ability. I bring all these different things, the little things that help teams be able to win games.”
Barnes, who on Sunday celebrated his 20th birthday, said he grew up in his one season in Tallahassee — and not just as a willing and skilled passer.
“Growing up, being more mature off the floor and on the floor, having that professionalism where I can show myself I’m a professional at what I do,” Barnes said. “On the floor, being able to make reads, different options on the floor, being able to play. I know how to play the game of basketball. They really helped me show that.”
Barnes has worked out for the Magic, the team holding the fifth pick and one that could give the West Palm Beach native a chance to stay in his home state. But Barnes seems to have enjoyed every stop.
“The draft process, it’s been amazing to me being able to take it in day in, day out,” Barnes said. “My favorite part was meeting a lot of new people, getting to know all these different types of people from all different places, different coaches, different GMs, being able to create relationships. That’s one of the great things about it.”
The best thing, he said, will be the level of competition he will soon face. Barnes shows confidence about his ability on the next level, but more than that, he seems to be relishing each step, including the realization about where it will soon take him.
“I’m just excited to play against all the competition and guard the best players that are really high in the league, being able to compete against those guys, show them why I can compete on the defensive side of the floor,” Barnes said. “That’s very exciting for me.
“Playing against that competition level, being able to play against the highest level, competing against guys day in, day out, being able to guard those guys, being able to be on the team, being able to compete every single day. It’s just a dream come true.
“It hasn’t hit me yet. I’m taking it day by day. I’m living it, waiting for that moment. Probably when I get there is when it’ll really hit me.”
jonathan.feigen@chron.com
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If self-evaluation is correct, Scottie Barnes will thrive in NBA - Houston Chronicle
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