Florida State’s Scottie Barnes selected No. 4 overall by Toronto Raptors in NBA Draft

Florida State Seminoles basketball star Scottie Barnes will be heading north of the border to start his NBA career after the Toronto Raptors selected him No. 4 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft Thursday night.

Barnes is the third lottery selection from Florida State in the last two years after Patrick Williams and Devin Vassell were taken No. 4 and No. 11 in last year’s draft by the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, respectively. Barnes becomes the seventh first round pick for the Noles in the last 10 years.

In his one season in Tallahassee, Barnes led the team in assists and steals while pitching in 10.3 points per game on over 50 percent shooting and 4.0 rebounds per game. His work from beyond the arc could use some work as he only shot at a 27.5% clip from deep, although he showed some promise from the free throw line as the season progressed.

But it’s not the numbers that have the NBA scouts fawning over the Montverde Academy product.

Barnes brings elite athleticism and size to the NBA, a pair of traits you can’t teach. He checks in at 6’9” with a 7’2” wingspan to go along with a 227 pound frame.

That length and size have brought comparison to Golden State Warriors forward, 3-time NBA champion and 3-time All-Star Draymond Green. However, unlike Green, Barnes will be expected to produce immediately.

Three other Seminoles — RaiQuan Gray, Balsa Koprivica, M.J. Walker — are hoping to hear their names called tonight, as well, although they’re not expected to go until the second round at the earliest.