July 22, 2015
Wise 2017 Darron Barnes had a breakout sophomore season last winter with the Pumas, and has since since his recruitment skyrocket.
Since May he’s picked up three Division I offers, and has seen plentiful interest come his way — some from high-majors.
“I currently have three offers from High Point, Towson and James Madison,” said Barnes. “And schools that are recruiting me right now are George Mason, George Washington, Dayton, Clemson, Maryland, Xavier, West Virginia, Florida State and that’s about it.”
High Point offered first in May, then Towson, then James Madison. He’s visited James Madison and Towson, and of the interested schools he says George Mason, Clemson, George Washington, and Dayton seem most interested in him right now.
the 6-foot-6 2017 started all last season at Wise last season as a sophomore, and prides himself on being a versatile stretch forward.
“I think I’m a strong wing, and I like to use my strength to my advantage, there’s a lot of skinnier people that guard me, so I use my weight and my strength to my advantage to get to the basket,” he said. “And I can step-out and hit some jump-shots, I can put the ball on the floor, I’m a good dribbler, I can bring the ball up the floor if need be, I can defend multiple positions, I have a high motor, and I can rebound.”
This offseason he’s been expounding on his already vast skill-set, and says extending his game is his focus.
“It’s been a good offseason so far, I feel like each tournament I’m getting better,” said Barnes. “I’m attacking the basket and rebounding, and just getting to the free throw line and making shots. Some things I’m working on is extending my range, keeping my motor up all game, making smarter plays, making the extra passes, being a leader — things like that.”
With one tournament left this offseason — a live period event in Las Vegas — Barnes says he’s out to prove that he’s one of Maryland's best.
“I just want to prove my worth on the floor, just prove that I’m very versatile,” said Barnes. “I want to improve my skill-set and prove that every time I step on the floor I’m one of the best players out there, and hopefully that turns into more offers.”
