There is so much talent across the current basketball landscape. Each year, we see guys getting overlooked in favor of older, more experienced players, regardless if the abilities are equal. Although Division I offers are certainly more difficult to earn these days, plenty of high school players are still receiving scholarships. However, it’s somewhat perplexing that Lance Barnes (Legacy Early College; Upward Stars) hasn’t seen an uptick in his recruitment over the recent months. The 6-foot-4 guard is a proven, battle-tested piece whose malleable game allows him to produce in every possible setting. So, what are coaches missing?
Barnes has been a notable prospect dating back to his middle school days, yet has only continued to progress over the years. He’s strong, intelligent, and knows how to effectively run a team as a primary creator. Barnes possesses a very well-rounded skillset, which allows him to toggle between various roles or positions while affecting all facets of the game. He displays a quality handle with the necessary pace, vision, and body control to consistently generate shots for himself and others off the bounce. Barnes is a useful perimeter shooter who can hit jumpers off the catch, bounce, or coming off movement. He finishes well through contact, makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands, and is comfortable from either guard spot. Given his size and strength, Barnes is comfortable guarding multiple positions defensively. He’s also a nice rebounder with the ability to grab and go in transition. It’s challenging to find any real weaknesses within his game.
After collecting offers from South Carolina State, Western Carolina, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, and Presbyterian, things have slowed down a bit. That being said, there is real value for college programs to add an adaptable piece like Barnes. Between the high school and travel ball seasons, he seems to be an asset on every team. Coaches would be wise to keep a close eye on Barnes over these next few months, as he’s set to have a significant senior campaign.