College, High School / Nov 6, 2009 / 1:45 pm

Harrison Barnes’ H.S. Hoops Diary: Official visit to UCLA

By

Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is the best high school ballplayer in the country. While navigating through the hectic recruiting process such a title entails, the 6-6 wing from Ames, Iowa, agreed to chronicle his thoughts for us during each of his five official visits. After North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kansas and Duke, Barnes recaps his trip to UCLA last weekend. Here are a couple excerpts:

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After practice I had dinner with the assistants and the players, and my mom had dinner with Coach (Ben) Howland and his family. Then I went out with the players and had a chance to enjoy some of the social aspects of the university. Since it was Halloween there were a lot more things going on, especially at some of the frat houses. My hosts were Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt, and they were cool guys.

… I went to see the UCLA women scrimmage, while my mom and sister were taken to see sights around L.A., Beverly Hills and Hollywood. They also got a chance to go to the Santa Monica beach and pick seashells. They really enjoyed that.

When we were done there we went over to Coach Howland’s to watch the game and have dinner. I have to say that he knows his way around the grill. He made a very good steak! Then I got a chance to hang out with the players at Westwood Village. That was cool.

But Monday morning was probably the most special morning because I got a chance to have breakfast with Coach Howland, Coach John Wooden and his daughter. That was an unreal experience! Just sitting in front of Coach Wooden, who in my opinion is the greatest coach in sports history, was awesome. I was just listening to him quote literature and quote other great leaders … it was exciting.

One of his favorite quotes was from Abraham Lincoln: “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to speak out and remove all doubt.” That really hit home. Those were like words of wisdom. But it was really fun to be eating with him and see him in his environment. He was still cracking jokes at age 99! It was just a really fun time. I really enjoyed that.

You can read Harrison’s entire diary at HighSchoolHoop.com, where he talks about his upcoming unofficial visit to Iowa State, and making a college decision next week.

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  • http://www.nukedasouth.net Chicagorilla

    That’s cool as shit.

  • sunni

    ucla knows how to recruit..

  • Jerry K.

    Nice…I goto UCLA; and if barnes picks UCLA it will jumpstart the program again…We have not had a dead-eye scorer in awhile…Since arron afflalo left (who was an average/abv avg), we have not had a wing player who we could give the ball to and let him do his thing…I think wooden increased our chances dramatically…Barnes seems like a kid who doesnt care about the glare/spotlight….UCLA is exactly that program…Obviously UNC and DUKE have their own positives (and similarities with UCLA), but i really hope barnes picks ucla

  • Robert F.

    I find it interesting that he doesn’t really talk about the team positives, or playing there, just hanging out and what to do in the area. I think this is a big sign that he WON’T go to UCLA. Just my opinion, but could be wrong of course.

  • Jason

    “Barnes seems like a kid who doesnt care about the glare/spotlight….UCLA is exactly that program”

    And where is UCLA located again…I’m hearing Los Angeles!

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but how is UCLA a program not in the “glare/spotlight?”

  • Jerry K.

    Jason….
    UCLA is rarely on national TV, the team is more commited to winning than stats, and Theres a difference from hollywood and UCLA….yes thats right ucla is in LA but dont think its in the middle of all the glare of hollywood (yes ucla is near beverly hills but it has no effect)….
    By the looks of it I predict this as Barnes top choices
    1)UNC
    2) Duke
    3)UCLA
    4) Kansas
    5) ISU
    6) OU

    he wants to win a title; unc gives him the best shot, duke gives him the second best shot…..UCLA is down now but we have a lot of young guys who should be good by the time Barnes comes to campus next year….Kansas will be depleted and i think he knows that, so i doubt he chooses to go there (no way he wins a title with just the twins, aldrich and collins will be gone)….
    ISU is near his home and is home basically (his mom works there) so thats a plus….
    No way he goes to OU, he sounded bored + they aint winning a ring anytime soon…

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