As a sophomore, he helped his team to a 36–2 record and its first-ever Class 5A state title.[3] Barnes led University School to a City of Palms Classic championship and was named tournament most valuable player (MVP) after posting 15 points and eight rebounds in the final versus top-ranked East High School.[4] At GEICO Nationals, he averaged 21.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game as University School finished as runners-up.[5] In his junior season, Barnes averaged 13.1 points, seven rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, leading his team to a 27–5 record and a second straight 5A state title, despite Carey being sidelined for the championship game.[6] The team included freshmen Taylor Hendricks and Jett Howard.[7]
On March 13, 2021, Barnes scored a career-high 21 points in an 80–75 loss to Georgia Tech at the ACC tournament championship.[16] As a freshman, he averaged 10.3 points, 4.1 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, earning ACC Freshman of the Year, ACC Sixth Man of the Year and third-team All-ACC honors. On April 9, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[17]
Professional career
Toronto Raptors (2021–present)
Barnes was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors.[18] The selection was a surprise to many as the consensus was the Raptors would select Gonzaga point guard Jalen Suggs.[19] On August 8, 2021, he signed a contract with the Raptors.[20] On October 20, Barnes made his NBA debut, putting up 12 points, nine rebounds, and one assist in a 98–83 loss to the Washington Wizards.[21] On October 22, he put up his first career double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds in a 115–83 win over the Boston Celtics.[22] On January 21, 2022, Barnes recorded a then career-high 27 points, along with eight rebounds, in a 109–105 win over the Washington Wizards.[23] On February 25, he put up a then career-high 28 points, along with five rebounds and two steals, in a 125–93 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[24] On February 28, Barnes tied a then career-high 28 points in a 133–97 win over the Brooklyn Nets.[25] On March 3, he was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February.[26] On March 18, Barnes put up a then career-high 31 points with 17 rebounds in a 128–123 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.[27]
Starting all the 74 games he played, Barnes finished the season averaging 15.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and .7 blocks per game, while shooting .492, .301, and .735 from the field, the three-point line, and on free throws, respectively, on 35.4 minutes per game. Among rookies, he had the best win shares (6.6) and value over replacement player (1.9). In addition, he was the only rookie to rank in the top five in total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, and led the Raptors to No. 5 in the Eastern Conference for a direct playoff spot.[28] On April 23, Barnes was named the 2021–22 NBA Rookie of the Year.[29] His 15-point difference over the runner-up, Evan Mobley, was the smallest voting margin in 19 years since the current voting format began in 2002–03.[29] Barnes became the first Raptor to win the award in 23 years since Vince Carter won it in 1999, and the third ever Raptor to win the award along with Carter, and Damon Stoudamire.[30]
On November 4, 2022, Barnes achieved his first career triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 111–110 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.[31] On March 10, 2023, Barnes put up a career-high 32 points in a 122–112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.[32]
On February 6, 2024, Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, named Barnes as an injury replacement player for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game following injuries to Julius Randle and Joel Embiid. Barnes appeared in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in his NBA career, he scored 16 points, collected 8 rebounds and dished out 3 assists.[33]
On July 8, 2024, Barnes officially signed an $225 million, 5 year contract extension to remain with the Raptors, and could be up to $270 million if he meets the requirements for a supermax. The contract extension for Barnes would officially begin in the 2025-2026 season after his first contract expires, and would run until the 2029-2030 NBA season. With the extension, Barnes became the highest paid player in franchise history.[34]
National team career
Barnes won a gold medal with the United States at the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Formosa, Argentina after averaging 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.[35] In a semifinal win over Argentina, he led all scorers with 20 points and six steals while breaking the American under-16 record for free throw percentage by shooting 8-of-8 from the free throw line.[36] At the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina, Barnes averaged 9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game and captured another gold medal. He averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, where he won his third gold medal with the United States.[37]
Personal life
Barnes' father is Jamaican and many of his relatives are Canadian.[38]
Player profile
Standing at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m),[39] with a wingspan of 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m),[citation needed] he is capable of guarding multiple positions due to his length. Although listed as a forward, he played the guard position in college and Toronto has seized on his playmaking ability by using him as a secondary ball handler.[40] Barnes' biggest weakness is his 3-point shooting, as he shot below 30% from three (27.5%) in college and below 30% from three (29.0%) for his career NBA stats.
