By: Ross Van De Griek
On Monday morning, the Florida State men's basketball program landed a 5-star recruit in Montverde Academy small forward Scottie Barnes.
Barnes chose Florida State over Kentucky, Miami, Oregon, Ohio State, California, Florida, Kansas & several others. Barnes transferred to Montverde Academy this summer after winning two state championships & appearing in the GEICO Nationals last season with University School in Fort Lauderdale.
Barnes, is the second highest rated recruit that Florida State has landed in the last 20 years (Jonathan Isaac). Barnes is listed as a 6'8, 210 pound small forward & is ranked the third best small forward in the nation, according to 247Sports.com.
Barnes is also ranked the 9th overall prospect in the nation, according to 247Sports.com & the second ranked prospect in the state of Florida (behind IMG Academy small forward Jalen Johnson).
Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton on Barnes. "He is one of the most explosive defenders in the country, also has a high basketball IQ", Hamilton added.
Barnes, joins Venice shooting guard Malachi Wideman as two of the three commits for the 2020 class from the Sunshine State. Florida State currently holds the 25th ranked recruiting class for the class of 2020 & the sixth ranked recruiting class in the ACC.
However, Barnes is scheduled to still make his visit with Kentucky later this week but as of right now, he is "100% committed" to Florida State.
Although, it is very unlikely that Barnes will get the chance to play his former teammate Vernon Carey Jr. & his Duke Blue Devils, as Carey Jr. will likely be a lottery pick in next year's NBA Draft.