Westwind Prep 6-foot-7, 210-pound prep forward Tuff Barnes is now officially off the recruiting board after playing himself into a full athletic scholarship with his play this spring on the club circuit.
Barnes advised Arizona Preps on Friday evening that he has signed a national letter of intent with Seton Hill University, an NCAA division-II program located in Greensburg, PA.
Barnes, the younger brother of current Arizona State sharp-shooting guard Bo Barnes (University of Hawaii transfer), was among the top available 3/4 prospects still on the recruiting board this spring.
Barnes helped development his college recruitment this spring while leading a team of Arizona Magic Seniors to numerous wins and the Silver Division tournament title recently at this year's Double Pump Spring Classic in Las Vegas, NV.
Barnes was also a graduate of Scottsdale Christian HS in 2011, where he helped lead his high school program to a 22-5 overall record on the season and to a state championship runner-up finish in the 2A Division. Barnes put up very good numbers as a senior - averaging 14.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per/game.
As a member of Westwind Prep's post-graduate program this season, Barnes played a valuable role while competing against many of the nation's top post-graduate teams and local junior colleges - gaining valuable experience that will have him ready to make an impact at the college level next season.
Barnes chose Seton Hill after hearing from numerous NAIA and division-II programs this spring. Such schools as Point Loma, Masters College, San Diego Christian, Nebraska-Kearney, Clark University (IA) and numerous junior college programs were in contact with Barnes.
A very underrrated prospect, Barnes is a versatile 3/4 prospect that has a high basketball IQ and is able to make plays either with his back to the basket or while facing the basket from the perimeter. Barnes likes to play around the basket and is a nice asset to any team in which he plays for, as he gets a lot done and competes hard on both ends of the floor.
Barnes has trained for several years with top-rated Scottsdale-based trainer Padraig O'Brien. O'Brien is very high on Barnes' ability to play at the college level.
"Tuff is a kid that can come in and contribute right away," said O'Brien. "He is very underrated and would be a nice addition to a smalle division-I program or a smaller school. He knows how to play and is a great kid."
Congratulations to Barnes and his family on this tremndous accomplishment.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Barnes is a valauble asset to any team that he plays for, as he is a very good teammate and is a very versatile 3/4 that plays much bigger than his size suggests. Has broad shoulders and a nice wingspan that allows for him to play the post and defend players much bigger than him. A good scorer on the low block and is capable of stepping away from the basket and knocking down the perimeter shot out to three-point distance, although he is at his best from mid-range and around the painted area. A very good offensive rebounder that keeps the basketball up high and is a good finisher that does not mind physical contact. As he continues to gain size on his frame, he will really see his offensive game flourish. A good low-post defender. Needs to continue to get quicker to defend smaller, quicker players on the perimeter, but he has excellent work ethic and will work hard to improve as a player. A good passer out of the post and likes to find the open man on the floor. Runs the floor very well and outlets the basketball up the floor to the guard. Has a great attitude. A nice looking prospect for a smaller college program. A very underrated prospect.
