4. Scottie Barnes, G/F, Florida State
Measurables: 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, 7-foot-2 wingspan
Class: Freshman
Age: 19
Mike’s Ranking: 8
Evan’s Ranking: 4
Outside of the “Big Three” of this draft class, Scottie Barnes has the most tantalizing and intriguing potential of any other prospect. A modern point forward in a similar vein to Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, 2021 Hall of Fame finalist Marques Johnson, and two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom.
He’s a unique athlete who can be a secondary ball-handler for an offense at the next level and has rare upside given his ability as a jumbo-sized playmaker.
Barnes’ defensive outlook could be the highest of any prospect in this draft, he’s got the capability to guard all five positions because of his combination of quickness and length. On the open floor, Barnes is a living nightmare for opposing teams on both ends, and the flashes he’s shown to take over games are mesmerizing at times.
His shooting will need to greatly improve for him to realize his maximum potential as a player in the NBA, but Barnes could be a superstar in the making and worth a selection in the top five.