Recruiting Report 2018: Dee Barnes
Dee Barnes, 6’4″, WG, 2018. Kings Christian Academy. Callaway, MD.
Grassroots Team : The District Basketball Club 17&U.
Since age 7 Dee has played basketball & he credits his cousin Will (R.I.P.) for teaching him the proper way to play the game. Dee played varsity as freshmen for Kings Christian Academy and has continually improved each season. He is receiving excellent Coaching from KCA & The District Basketball Club. Dee comes from an great basketball pedigree & his Uncle is the legendary Tubby Smith who won a national title at Kentucky and is now the Memphis Tigers Head Coach
Earlier this summer we saw Dee several times at the District basketball Clubs workouts where we wrote the following article about the District Basketball Club 17U below:
https://prephoops.com/2017/06/district-basketball-club-17-u-team-update-college-recruits/
Dee immediately impressed us with his WG skills. He can really score the ball and is an excellent all around college prospect currently ranked @ #36 in a very strong 2018 Maryland/DC class. We believe Dee is a D1 player, but his level will be determined during the season. He plays for Kings Christian Academy who compiled a 22-1 record and won the Maryland State Christian Championship in addition the MISAL championship. Dee averaged 21 ppg, & 2 steals and teamed with PG D’Angleo Tull (24.6 ppg, 50& FGs, 3.4apg) to form one the best & most underrated back-courts in Maryland/DC.
Offensively Dee is very, very versatile, well rounded & possesses great fundamentals.We really like his shot mechanics & his high release which is high & quick release. Dee gauges the defense well & he can shoot the 3 ball in 2 varieties. One is shot like former NBA & Virginia Tech great Dell Curry which is close to a set shot & another is true jumper. Both have excellent form & his release quickness is determined by the defensive positioning of the player guarding him. With a legitimate 6’4″ frame Dee rarely gets his shot blocked from the 3 point or in his mid range game.
We recently chatted with Dee who says,” My goal is to be a total player on both sides of the ball. If needed I can run the point, but I can score from all 3 levels and as a triple threat. From the 3 point line I can convert from the right or left off the dribble. My pull up game is very good, & attacking the rim off the dribble has really gotten better this summer & I am turning the corner quicker. The DBC wants us to finish thru hard contact & we run many drills during practice & I can not help but improve in this area. My go to move is my jab step and hesitation & go, & I love to get out and run transition.” We have seen Dee score on coast to coast off the dribble fast breaks & make the correct pass wen he is leading the break. He fills the lanes very well & can score on alley oop dunks or lay ins.
This summer Dee & Kings Christian Academy back-court teammate D’Angleo Tull played together on the District Basketball Clubs 17U team forming the DBC starting back-court. The duo had a very successful summer for DBC & says,” Dee & I already had very good chemistry & playing together for DBC made it even better. The DBC plays a very aggressive high up tempo game with on ball pressure. Coach Booth & Coach Williams stress conditioning and I do not get tired during games. My athleticism,vertical & explosion have all gone up under Coach Booth & KCA Assitant Coach Dothard. Additionally, my man to man defense, full court pressure & footwork have improved. I am getting lower on defense & my lateral quickness is better. Overall it was a great experience playing for The DBC & I am looking forward to playing with D’Angelo & KCA this season.”
In the classroom Dee carries an excellent 3.2 GPA & currently is considering majoring in Sports Management. His role models are his parents (Kimberly & Shun) and uncle CoachTubby Smith who is born & raised in Southern, MD & now the Head Coach of the Memphis Tigers. Dee is receiving interest from Norfolk State, Mt St, Marys of MD, St Thomas Aquinas, Canisius & Memphis State.
Since the District Basketball Club season has concluded, Dee works out on a daily basis to become better. He trains on his basketball skills & strength & conditioning with his Trainer Coach Damien Rivers & additional S&C with KCA Assistant Coach Beejay Dothard. Dee says, “We work on footwork & overall athleticism using plyometrics, resistance bands,& ladders.” While Dee has improved explosion, getting to his desired destination with less dribble, overall shooting & ball handling he adds” I will continue to work in these areas in addition to my overall skills. There is no such thing as a perfect basketball player.”
In our opinion Dee could be become a stock riser this season & move up in our current assessment of a D1 mid major player. To make this move Dee says,” I want & will need to continue gaining more more confidence, getting into the attack mode More frequently, improve my ball handling and overall guard skills.” Dee has the height, strength, athletic ability, skill set & determination to get to this desired destination. We will be covering Kings Christian Academy this year with game reports & new Recruiting Reports for Dee.