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Update: For the 2nd consecutive year Coach Leonard Hamilton has landed a 5* wing. Last year it was Patrick Williams out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and this year it is Scottie Barnes from Montverde Academy (FL).
Scottie Barnes (middle) signing with FSU. pic.twitter.com/ZqVKSF34Zq
— Noles247.com (@Noles247) November 13, 2019
The national top-10 recruit (No. 9 per 247 Composite) chose the Florida State Seminoles over Oregon, Ohio State, and Kentucky:
I am proud to be announcing that next year I will be playing for Coach Hamilton and his staff at Florida State University. To all the coaches, mentors, teachers, and family members that have molded and helped me to get to this point in my journey thank you! pic.twitter.com/rMQDwXLNZf
— Scott Barnes (@ScottBarnes561) October 14, 2019
Barnes is a 6’8, 210 pound force on the wing. He’s known for elite-level competitiveness, which has translated into him being potentially the best defender at the high school level. He’s a great rebounder and possesses excellent vision. He doesn’t have a great shot, but considering he’s still a top-10 recruit this shows how elite he is in the other aspects of his game.
He certainly has one-and-done talent, and in the just-released 2021 mock draft from Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, he’s a top-20 pick.
No recruiting expert had linked Barnes to Florida State per the 247 Crystal Ball (which means our Slack room password is still safe).
Barnes joins Sardaar Calhoun in the 2020 class, who is another high-level talent.
FSU has two seniors on its roster (as well as an open scholarship), which means the coaches will look to add at least one more player (Zimife Nwokeji?).