#1 Scottie Barnes – Forward – Florida State
Coming out of high school, Scottie Barnes was the nation’s #5 overall prospects according to the 2020 ESPN Top 100 Recruiting Rankings and at Florida State this past year, he showed glimpses into his full potential.
In 24 games with the Seminoles, Scottie Barnes averaged 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals and shot 56.1% from the floor. He usually came off-the-bench and never really got a chance to prove himself more than he did, but Barnes still ended up being recognized as the ACC Freshman of the Year and one of the best freshmen in college hoops.
Now, after attending the NBA Draft Combine, measuring well and being a guy NBA personnel love after meeting with him, the 19-year-old forward enters the NBA Draft as a potential Top-5 pick. Not only does he have a ton of potential to grow into something special in this league, but Barnes is a very versatile player in terms of what he can do on the court.
He did not participate in any of the scrimmages at last week’s combine, but Scottie Barnes did measure in at 6’8” with shoes, he measured a 7’2.75” wingspan, 5th best at the combine, and his standing reach was measured at 9-feet, which ranked 6th best at the combine. Barnes also was tied for the third best standing vertical leap at 36 inches.
READ MORE: 2021 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Who improved their stock most during the combine?
Measurement wise, Scottie Barnes is every team’s “dream come true” in the pre-draft process and he has checked all of the boxes so far in terms of what teams are looking for in a guy who can play numerous positions on the court given his athleticism and playmaking abilities.
In the NBA, Scottie Barnes is going to be a point-forward type of player given his gifted abilities to play one-on-one and be a very strong threat in transition. He may not be the best perimeter threat in this draft class, but he is definitely one of the better players in this year’s draft off-the-dribble attacking the rim, as well as being a playmaker for others.
READ MORE: 2021 NBA Mock Draft 4.0: Who improved their stock most during the combine?
Outside of the guards in this year’s draft class, Scottie Barnes may be the best passer in this year’s draft, which is very impressive for a guy who stands 6’8” on the wing. Shooting wise, Barnes has some room to grow, but these things can be worked on and taught. Having a high-motor and being an above-average athlete for his size is something that you cannot teach and is something Barnes possesses.
While they do have Darius Bazley at power-forward right now, Oklahoma City could easily move Bazley to the wing and put Scottie Barnes at power-forward to be that “point forward” type of player he looks like he can be. Similar to how Draymond Green is a primary ball-handler for the Warriors, Barnes could look to have a similar role if he is drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With Top-5 potential in this year’s draft class, whoever drafts Scottie Barnes is going to be getting a young, talented player that is more than capable of growing into one of the better two-way players in this league. He possesses the length, athleticism and versatility to make an impact in many different ways, which is why Barnes finds himself as one of the “can’t miss” prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft.
