Eight. That’s how many schools No. 2 overall junior Scottie Barnes is down to. The 6-foot-8 forward from University School (FL) is moving to the next stage of his nationwide recruitment. 

Barnes is considering Cal, Duke, Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky, Miami, Ohio State and Oregon. 

To date, he has officially visited Florida State and Oregon and he’s been to Miami unofficially. 

Florida State made an impression when he visited officially. 

“When I was up there they were really talking about how they develop their players and make them better when they are there,” Barnes said. 

Barnes also speaks highly of Oregon. 

“It’s a good school and I really like them,” Barnes said. 

What caught his attention from the other side of the country? 

“I starting watching them when I was younger and I really liked their jerseys. It caught my attention,” Barnes said. “I know it’s the top Nike school. I knew some of their players and when I went there, I got a chance to work out with them. They seem to really care about family.” 

The other schools on his list will certainly be considered but he’s in no rush. He does know what he wants to find in a future program though. 

“I gotta really know what is the right fit for me. I gotta keep taking it in. I have to keep inspecting how the program is and talk to the players that have gone there. I want to get as many details as I can,” he said. 

Player development will be important.

“That carries a lot of weight I like to see how players got better. (The schools) show me a player when he starts his freshman year to the time he leaves and the big development and confidence they have as players,” Barnes said. 

Being a one-and-done type of player isn’t something Barnes thinks about. 

“I want to take my time in school because getting a degree is important to my family. When the right time comes for me, I’ll make the right decision (about going pro),” he said. 

Barnes is one of the most competitive players in high school on the national level. He is No. 2 overall in our current class of 2020 rankings but he says he doesn’t pay much attention to such chatter. 

“I don’t really care about rankings and I don’t really care about all of that stuff,” Barnes said. “As long as I keep being me and I go to college and play as hard as I can. I want to keep working hard so when the draft comes up. I want to be in a position where I’m the first guy they call. So I don’t really care too much about the rankings and all of that stuff.”

Part of his drive to grow as a player is his innate drive to be the best at anything he does. 

“I’m just a very competitive person. If I’m in class and we have some type of game, then I’m just trying to win that game,” Barnes said. “I’m just so competitive out there on the court. When I see one of the guards on the other team is having a really good game then I want to go out there and guard him and go against him. I want to get stops.” 

He said he’s paid attention to the drive of other top players that have gone before him, including his Duke-bound teammate Vernon Carey, Jr. 

“I feel like those players put in a lot of work and come in everyday and develop. From the time they are college players to they are drafted, they are working,” Barnes said. ‘I think that’s important. Some people don’t really want it. I’m trying to work for it.” 

That work is what is most important now that he’s released his top eight. He’s focused on growing as a player. That’s his singular focus.