At 24 years old, Scottie Barnes is putting together the best season of his career. He is combining his playmaking, physicality, and relentless energy to impact every facet of the game. In the process, he is becoming exactly the player the Raptors hoped for when they selected him with the fourth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
To casual NBA fans, Barnes’ breakout may be surprising, especially after a relatively linear 2024-25 season. However, Barnes’ work ethic and love for the game have become clear to Raptors fans and anyone familiar with his background could've foreseen this growth.
Scottie Barnes has always done what it takes to win
Not surprisingly, Scottie Barnes was one of the best high school players in the country. He played on what has been called one of the greatest high school teams in history, was a consensus five-star recruit, and finished as the fifth-ranked player in his class according to ESPN.
Barnes committed to Florida State, where he first showcased just how much winning mattered to him. Despite his reputation as one of the best high school players and a future NBA star, he willingly accepted a bench role on this team.
Head coach Leonard Hamilton believed Barnes could have the greatest impact by serving as the primary playmaker for the second unit early in games, then closing alongside the starters, so his defensive intensity could be maximized.
While the strategy made sense on paper, the optics of a bench role would have frustrated many players hoping to be drafted the very next year. It never bothered Barnes. He played with energy all season, embraced his role, and was rewarded with ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors. After the season, Hamilton had high praise for his star freshman:
"He is always watching film, talking to his teammates, and allowing himself to be coached by his coaches. He is a guy that is eager to learn, and who has that It Factor that you seldom find in youngsters."Leonard Hamilton
That “It Factor” showed up immediately in Toronto
After being drafted by the Raptors, Barnes wasted no time proving Hamilton right. Former head coach Nick Nurse famously said after selecting Barnes:
"I just don't ever not want to talk about his defense"Nick Nurse
Former Raptors guard, Fred VanVleet also offered insight into Barnes’ personality during his rookie season:
"He's hugging people. He's punching the coaches in the chest before the game. He's doing all kinds of stuff, man. He's a nut."Fred VanVleet
It takes a special player to galvanize a locker room at 20 years old. It takes a special player to earn a coach’s admiration for defense before ever playing an NBA game. And it takes a special player to accept a bench role while NBA scouts are watching every move.
Scottie Barnes is that special player. His leap in his age-24 season should not surprise anyone who has followed his journey. And it should not surprise anyone when he continues to take steps forward from here. Good luck, NBA.