North Carolina Tar Heels forward Harrison Barnes had a colorful and highly publicized two year college basketball career. He got off to a very rough start as a freshman, and ESPN had some fun with his very early struggles. I asked Roy Williams about it at a postgame media session, and that triggered Roy to go off on this rant against the WWL.
Eventually, Barnes lived up to his promise and shocked many experts when he decided to return to Chapel Hill for his sophomore season. His draft stock was high enough, but the NBA lockout probably had consequence on his decision to stay.
During his second season with the Heels, Barnes developed more and the decision looks like (to quote a 1980s Pepsi slogan) “the right one baby, uh-huh.” Here’s video of Barnes meeting the media at the NBA Draft combine in Chicago last week. Will he end up with the Cavaliers at #4?
Click on Barnes’ name below if you wish to read an in-depth scouting report. Here’s where we have him going in our latest NBA Mock Draft:
4. Cleveland– Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing and in this scenario, they choose between Harrison Barnes and Bradley Beal. Either would be terrific future compliment to Kyrie Irving. Remember though, Cleveland would have considered Barnes with the first overall pick last year had he entered the draft. Andre Drummond would be a possibility here too but Barnes is the safer pick which Cleveland needs right now.
Go here for more on Harrison Barnes
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football, Yardbarker, MSN, Chicago Tribune.com and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too