Seminoles’ Barnes declares his intentions to enter NBA draft

By Chuck Walsh
Seminiles.com

State’s Scottie Barnes, the ACC Freshman and Sixth Man of the Year in 2021, will enter his name for consideration in the 2021 NBA Draft.  He becomes the fourth one-and-done player under head coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff in the last six seasons joining Malik Beasley (first round pick of the Denver Nuggets in 2016), Jonathan Isaac (first round Draft Lottery pick of the Orlando Magic in 2017), and Patrick Williams (first round Draft Lottery pick of the Chicago Bulls in 2020).

Barnes is widely expected to be one of the first five players selected in the NBA Draft on July 29, 2021.  The NBA Draft Combine is scheduled for June 21-27 while the NBA Draft Lottery will be held on June 22.

Barnes averaged 10.3 points (third on the team) and 4.0 rebounds (fifth) while topping the Seminoles in both assists (4.1) and steals (1.5) and leading the Seminoles to the Sweet 16 of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.  He scored his career-high of 21 points against Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game (March 13), was credited with his career-high of nine rebounds at Notre Dame (March 6), and totaled his career-high of six steals at North Carolina (February 27). 

Barnes finished fifth in the ACC in assists (4.1), seventh in steals (1.5 spg) and tied for 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.7:1).  He led all ACC freshmen in assists and finished second among first-year players in steals. 

 “I can’t say enough about Scottie to adequately describe what a great person he is,” said Head Coach Leonard Hamilton.  “He is the consummate team player who wants nothing more than for his teammates to be celebrated. He is an incredibly team-oriented guy who is more concerned with the success of the players around him than of his success. 

“Most point guards have played the position all of their lives; his transition from power forward to point guard has been simply amazing and I can only imagine what the future holds for him.  Scottie checks every box on the basketball court that allows a team to win games.  We knew Scottie would be an NBA player when we recruited him; we are even more convinced of the success he will achieve after having coached him.”

 Barnes hit two buzzer beaters in his only season as a Seminole.   He hit a contested running jumper for the game winning basket against Indiana in the ACC/Big 10 Challenge on December 9 with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Seminoles the 69-67 win in Tallahassee.  Barnes then beat the second half buzzer as he made a reverse layup with 0.5 seconds left to play to tie Florida State’s game against Wake Forest at 80-80, sending the game into overtime on February 13. Florida State defeated the Deacons in overtime. 

Barnes, who earned All-ACC Third Team honors, was a candidate for every major college basketball award as a freshman including the Naismith, Wooden and Lute Olson awards as the National Player of the Year.  He was also on the initial, midseason and top-10 Cousy Award Watch Lists, was a two-time ACC Freshman of the Week award winner, and named to the All-ACC Freshman Team.

 “From the time I decided to attend Florida State University, I knew it was the best choice for me,” said Barnes.  “When I was accepted into the Seminole family, I felt the love immediately.  Coach Hamilton and the other specialists and professionals made it a priority to develop me into an all-around player.

 “With the support of my family, friends and the Seminole family, I am declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft.  This has always been a dream of mine and I cannot wait to take the next step.”