FSU basketball: Impact of Scottie Barnes declaring for NBA Draft

FSU basketball received expected news late Friday afternoon when freshman phenom Scottie Barnes announced he was declaring for the NBA Draft.

The former five-star recruit received the ACC Sixth Man of the Year Award and made the All-ACC Freshman team.

Barnes averaged 10.3 points, four rebounds, and four assists while running the point when on the floor for Leonard Hamilton’s team.

Barnes has been considered a lottery pick since forever and NBA teams will clamor for his athleticism.

Impact of  Scottie Barnes Declaring for The NBA Draft

No question, FSU basketball would have been better if Barnes decided to return for his sophomore season. There’s still a lot of his game that needs refining and maturing, not to mention figuring out his real position.

I’m not sure he’s cut out to be a true point guard, and Leonard Hamilton has already filled the point guard position for the 2022 season.

Houston transfer Caleb Mills and freshman Jalen Warley will contribute and seem to be more natural running an offense or penetrating off the dribble. Barnes turned the ball over too much to be effective at the position.

I think where FSU will miss Scottie Barnes the most is on the defensive end. Barnes could defend multiple positions and played with an effort you usually don’t see from five-star recruits.

However, Barnes leaving will be the second consecutive five-star recruit to complete one year and leave FSU for the NBA behind Patrick Williams, who was the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft.

That has not gone unnoticed by recruits and is a reason why FSU basketball continues to be in the mix for elite players compared to a few years ago.

It makes sense for Barnes to take the guaranteed money and spend all of his time working on his game to make an impact at the next level. It was a pleasure watching him play this year and here’s to representing the Noles in the NBA!