Overtime Articles - Extra notes from our staff

Cyclones make cut as Barnes (kinda) shortens his list
By Courtney Linehan
Date Posted: 2009-05-16

Harrison Barnes has narrowed the list of places he’s considering playing college basketball. So why does the Ames High junior have to take a deep breath before rattling off the names?

“Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Stanford, TCU, USC, UCLA, Kentucky, Iowa State, Florida, Minnesota,” he says in one long stream. “Is that 12?”

Yes, HB, you’ve got them all. As often as you have to recite them for fans, coaches, and schmucks in the media, it’s no surprise that you have it down.

Since leading the Ames High boys basketball team to the Class 4A state championship and a perfect 27-0 record, Barnes has been busy playing ball and keeping a close eye on all those schools. Then there’s the minor detail of becoming Scout.com’s No. 1-ranked recruit, and Rivals.com’s No. 2 choice.

“I like both sites equally,” he jokes.

He made an unofficial visit to the Minnesota campus last weekend after playing in the Sabes Invitational. And he’s stayed in close touch with TCU assistant coach Jean Prioleau, a former Iowa State assistant who he got to know well when Pri was in Ames.

Barnes also said the coaching change at Kentucky only strengthened his interest in the school. While former coach Billy Gillispie made several visits to Ames last season, John Calipari had recruited him lightly while coaching at Memphis but expressed greater interest upon taking over in UK.

“Memphis did show a little bit of interest, but once Coach Cal got to Kentucky they did show more interest in me,” Barnes said. “He contacted me and let me know that Kentucky was still interested in me.”

Barnes is not competing this weekend; his former AAU team, the All-Iowa Attack, won the Jayhawk Invitational earlier this month and is hosting the Midwest Festival of Teams this weekend in Ankeny. But Barnes is now playing with the Minnesota-based Howard Pulley program, saying its schedule fit better with all the invitation-only camps he will likely attend this summer.




Comments
Bluedevil
HB,Duke will best prepare you for the NBA and provide the best chance for a national championship.
7/29/09

bigbluefanatic
HB please come to UK where you will be a shining star and loved by millions.
5/17/09

 
 
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