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Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

Posted on: March 28, 2011 8:51 am
Edited on: March 28, 2011 8:51 am
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University of North Carolina freshman Harrison Barnes is noncommittal in discussing whether he'll enter the NBA Draft. Posted by Ben Golliver. harrison-barnes

An up and down year for University of North Carolina freshman Harrison Barnes ended in the Elite Eight on Sunday, when the University of Kentucky Wildcats sent the Tar Heels packing. 

Barnes, currently ranked as the No. 4 prospect should he enter the 2011 NBA Draft, was asked by the Des Moines Register whether or not he had considered leaving school to pursue his professional career.
“I’m not thinking about the NBA,” he said, quietly.
Do you know what you’re doing next year?
“You know, that’s not really something that I’m thinking about. I had the last two seasons end on championships (at Ames). The last time I felt like this was my sophomore year (of high school). That’s the only thing that’s on my mind right now.”
Do you know when you’ll make your decision?
“All I can say is — it won’t be today.”
Barnes was regarded as the most pro-ready prospect coming out of high school last season, a polished scorer with a maturity greater than his age and a shooting stroke that looks like it's taken decades to perfect. It's difficult to envision Barnes, who averaged 15.7 points and 5.8 rebounds, slipping out of the top five of this year's draft. However, any player at a stable, top-flight program like Carolina is going to be tempted to enjoy college for a year while the NBA sorts out its lockout drama. 

The deadline for NCAA underclassmen to enter the NBA Draft is April 24, so Barnes has almost a month to make up his mind. He's smart to take his time to make the decision as the emotions that go with a season-ending loss should not influence a player's decision regarding his future in basketball.

Remember: Barnes got off to a relatively slow start last fall and is still regarded as a top five draft prospect. His ceiling if he decides to return and things go more smoothly the second time through is limitless. He would most likely be the odds-on favorite to be the top overall pick in 2012, although his competition could include Ohio State freshman big man Jared Sullinger, who said he was staying for another year over the weekend.
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Category: NBA
Tags: Harrison Barnes, NBA Draft
 
Comments

Since: Mar 28, 2011
Posted on: March 31, 2011 4:52 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

barnes mother told the local unc news that her son had goals would like 2 finish, and that barnes took his name out of the mock draft, check it out at  and tell me what think he will do i think that hes leaning towards staying bout it early and you never kno.

Since: Sep 4, 2007
Posted on: March 30, 2011 12:10 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

I'm not criticizing the players...just the universities that are completely abandoning the educational aspect of college.  Kentucky in particular has no desire or interest in whether the players they recruit graduate or not....that's all....I can see a player here or there but when the bulk of your roster is coming to leave it's a problem
Yes , it is a shame that the schools do not seem to care if these players graduate or not.  Lets be real however.  The school knows some players are going to be one and done.  The players know they are going to be one and done.  The school gets more national exposure and makes millions off the players.  This helps the other students that don't play sports. In return they give the players a free college education if they so choose to use it.  The option is there for the players to stay.  Its not quite a fair trade off but what in life is.  I think the players get some serious real world education.  Mainly about how someone is always going to leverage your talents to make money no matter what you do.  The players learn to start thinking like businessmen much sooner than other students.

Since: Mar 28, 2011
Posted on: March 29, 2011 5:31 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

ok so if a kid goes 2 college and grads early and starts a career ppl think thats great, but when i kid is a ball player and leave early the schools doin the wrong thing? hows that? they college is getting them to the top of there career they choose, which is sports

Since: Feb 20, 2008
Posted on: March 29, 2011 12:56 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

I'm not criticizing the players...just the universities that are completely abandoning the educational aspect of college.  Kentucky in particular has no desire or interest in whether the players they recruit graduate or not....that's all....I can see a player here or there but when the bulk of your roster is coming to leave it's a problem

Since: Mar 28, 2011
Posted on: March 28, 2011 10:19 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

Why would you or anyone else propose such a silly policy?

Since: Feb 4, 2007
Posted on: March 28, 2011 10:15 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

Its all so simple.  If you are good enough and come from nothing (gheto) then you take the money and go pro.  If you come from a well to do family then stay a couple of years and go.  If you are a great and consistent player then your value will only go up the longer you stay and prove your ability as a player.  Just my opinion.  THE TARHEEL MAN...

Since: Mar 28, 2011
Posted on: March 28, 2011 8:47 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

i think barnes will come back next year, hes a good kid , great ball player and the heels will be the best team in nation. just think if henson stays too? the heels could have  marshall, hairston, barnes, mcadoo, henson, zeller, and the best defender in the nation strickland. the heels would be unstopable!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since: Jan 16, 2007
Posted on: March 28, 2011 4:50 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

scholarships are a one year deal for everyone.  Next year, Ohio St. will use  scholarship on Sullinger.  There are no "4 year" scholarships. 



Since: May 31, 2007
Posted on: March 28, 2011 1:37 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

I think his response to those questions pretty much says it all.  It's silly for reporters to bother asking that kind of question right after a season-ending loss.  Emotions are all over the place, the kids are trying to take it all in... even if you get a straight 'yes or no,' it'll probably change a half-dozen times before the submission deadline.  In other words: even if he had said, "I'm definitely staying in school," it wouldn't mean much... people do that in the heat of the moment every year, only to declare for the draft a month later.  Just like many of them say they're leaving, only to pull their name out of the draft after getting a feel for where they are in the process.

Barnes said it exactly like it is:  right now he has other things on his mind, so there's no point worrying about the NBA yet.  He'll make up his mind soon enough, after the dust settles, and I'm sure it'll become a matter of public record immediately when that time comes anyway.

Having said all that, isn't there a CBA mess in the NBA that could cast uncertainty over next season, much like the current NFL stuff?  In light of that, if he (or Sullinger, or any other top-end underclassmen) likes college life OK, it might be worth staying put for one more year while all of the chaos works itself out.

Since: Sep 4, 2007
Posted on: March 28, 2011 12:49 pm
 

Harrison Barnes: 'I'm not thinking about the NBA'

How about this idea for the one and done guys...not that I blame them.  How about when I guy gets a scholarship it's a four year scholarship and if they choose to leave then the university can't use the scholarship until the 4 years is up?  This would keep the calipari's of the world from taking three one and done guys every year because the program will suffer when he has six non scholarship players on the roster.  Just a thought.....I'D BE THE FIRST TO GO PRO NOT THAT IT MATTERS.
Just curious.  Why would you propose that if you yourself would be a one and done guy?  Why penalize future players for what someone else decides to do with their life?  Not criticizing just curious.
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