Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Harrison Barnes took his recruiting announcement to a new level.
In a press conference at Ames (Iowa) High School, the 6-foot-6 Barnes sat at a table showcasing the insignias of each of his final six schools. He then praised each program before calling his final choice via Skype.
After the connection appeared to briefly drop out, Barnes looked at the computer and said “Coach Roy Williams.”
A picture of Williams and his North Carolina players popped up on an oversized screen in the auditorium.
At that point the crowd at Ames let out a roar of applause. Duke fans probably dropped to the floor wherever they were.
“We’ve got the whole team here,” said Williams, coach of the defending NCAA champion Tar Heels.
“I can see that,” Barnes replied.
“I need to get going signing my Letter of Intent here but I just wanted to let you know I’ll be joining you guys next year on the squad and I can’t wait to play with all you guys,” Barnes added.
“All right,” Williams exclaimed.
Barnes joins a powerhouse class that includes Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall.
“You’re talking about getting to a national championship game next year for the North Carolina Tar Heels,” ESPN’s Paul Biancardi said.
Barnes, No. 2 in the Class of 2010 according to Rivals, chose Carolina over Duke, UCLA, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa State.
“Not only is Coach Williams so good at instructing the game but I felt that I had developed a great relationship with the players and I’m just so anxious to play with them,” Barnes told ESPNU.
In choosing Carolina over Duke, Barnes opted not to join his good friend Kyrie Irving, the point guard from Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick who referred to Barnes as an “big brother” when he announced.
What will it feel like when Barnes makes that first trip to Cameron Indoor with the Heels in 2010?
“I think it will be one of the greateset feelings to be able play in front of the Cameron Crazies because I’ve been and I’ve seen the North Carolina rivalry and I think it will be absolutely great and I think it will be a great game,” he said.
How does Barnes fit in with Carolina’s program and what will his role be?
“They play a very up and down tempo and that’s something I like to do,” he said. “I hope that I can just come in there and add my contributions to hopefully help us win a national championship.”
Barnes’ mom works at Iowa State and his father played there, but Barnes said, “It was so close to home and I would’ve done so much there. But at the same time I will take Iowa wherever I decide to go.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Harrison Barnes took his recruiting announcement to a new level.
In a press conference at Ames (Iowa) High School, the 6-foot-6 Barnes sat at a table showcasing the insignias of each of his final six schools. He then praised each program before calling his final choice via Skype.
After the connection appeared to briefly drop out, Barnes looked at the computer and said “Coach Roy Williams.”
A picture of Williams and his North Carolina players popped up on an oversized screen in the auditorium.
At that point the crowd at Ames let out a roar of applause. Duke fans probably dropped to the floor wherever they were.
“We’ve got the whole team here,” said Williams, coach of the defending NCAA champion Tar Heels.
“I can see that,” Barnes replied.
“I need to get going signing my Letter of Intent here but I just wanted to let you know I’ll be joining you guys next year on the squad and I can’t wait to play with all you guys,” Barnes added.
“All right,” Williams exclaimed.
Barnes joins a powerhouse class that includes Reggie Bullock and Kendall Marshall.
“You’re talking about getting to a national championship game next year for the North Carolina Tar Heels,” ESPN’s Paul Biancardi said.
Barnes, No. 2 in the Class of 2010 according to Rivals, chose Carolina over Duke, UCLA, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa State.
“Not only is Coach Williams so good at instructing the game but I felt that I had developed a great relationship with the players and I’m just so anxious to play with them,” Barnes told ESPNU.
In choosing Carolina over Duke, Barnes opted not to join his good friend Kyrie Irving, the point guard from Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick who referred to Barnes as an “big brother” when he announced.
What will it feel like when Barnes makes that first trip to Cameron Indoor with the Heels in 2010?
“I think it will be one of the greateset feelings to be able play in front of the Cameron Crazies because I’ve been and I’ve seen the North Carolina rivalry and I think it will be absolutely great and I think it will be a great game,” he said.
How does Barnes fit in with Carolina’s program and what will his role be?
“They play a very up and down tempo and that’s something I like to do,” he said. “I hope that I can just come in there and add my contributions to hopefully help us win a national championship.”
Barnes’ mom works at Iowa State and his father played there, but Barnes said, “It was so close to home and I would’ve done so much there. But at the same time I will take Iowa wherever I decide to go.”
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