Shabazz High endured every bit of the defection of a historic, culture changing season— one that saw that saw them reach the Essex County Tournament semifinal and capture a NJSIAA Group 1, Section 2 title as well as go on to win the entire Group 1, and the reliable production of Zaim Barnes Zaim Barnes 5'10" | PG Shabazz | 2026 State NJ had much to do with that. All season long Barnes supplied tremendous value as a confident and versatile scoring threat—demonstrating his offensive attack by contributing off the ball with his potent perimeter shooting while also putting pressure on the rim when driving opportunities presented itself attacking with purpose, getting into the paint, and finishing through contact at the rim, ultimately proving to be a legitimate plug and play offensive fit with his effectiveness with and without the basketball.

Amid Shabazz’s deep and versatile backcourt rotation this season,  Zaim Barnes Zaim Barnes 5'10" | PG Shabazz | 2026 State NJ  has continued to emerge as a poised and reliable scoring option, demonstrating his offensive attack by contributing primarily off the ball with his potent perimeter shooting. Catching fire from three point range, he was ultra effective as a legitimate catch and shoot threat from three, showing a compact release and natural shooting instincts stepping into in rhythm looks from outside. Making a scoring impact in more ways than one, Barnes also showed an ability to finish at the rim running the lanes in transition and attacking driving angles while also contributing on the offensive glass and cutting off the ball.

Amongst the rotation of versatile guards in Shabazz’s backcourt this season, Zaim Barnes Zaim Barnes 5'10" | PG Shabazz | 2026 State NJ has continued to emerge as a poised and multifaceted scoring option throughout last weekend’s semifinal action. Showcasing his value as a seamless offensive fit, Barnes proved effective both with and without the ball— thriving off the catch as a confident three point shooter, displaying a compact release and strong shooting instincts, while also capitalizing on driving lanes off the bounce within the flow of the offense, attacking decisively, getting into the paint and finishing through traffic at the rim.

Another bright spot in Shabazz’s rotation of versatile guards, Zaim Barnes Zaim Barnes 5'10" | PG Shabazz | 2026 State NJ excelled as a confident and versatile scoring threat, particularly both on and off the ball over the course of last Sunday’s action. Proving to be a legitimate plug and play offensive fit with his effectiveness with and without the basketball, Barnes demonstrated his ability to not only thrive off the ball as a confident three point shooter with his compact shooting release and strong intangibles as a shooter but also attack driving angles off the bounce in the flow of Shabazz’s offense when the opposing defenses got in rotation(s) to get in the lane and finish strong in traffic at the basket.

Barnes is one of the most underrated guards in Group 1 and is primed for a big senior season. The 5’10 guard uses his speed to blow by his defender and knows how to finish around the basket. Barnes can also score in the mid-range and sets his feet before he shoots. He uses his quick hands to get deflections on the defensive end and is an underrated passer. Barnes’ speed makes him a prospect to track throughout the course of the season.

Zaim Barnes Zaim Barnes 5'10" | PG Shabazz | 2026 State NJ was another reliable source of offense for Shabazz this season, as he proved to be capable of making shots at different levels. Barnes shined in the ways he was not only able to put pressure on the rim and finish around the basket on dribble drives in the halfcourt but also hit various mid range pull ups, as the season went on. Barnes even showed flashes of being a respectable threat from the perimeter, occasionally knocking down open outside shots.