ISAIAH BARNES: Looking to be the Best Version of Myself Every Day
1/23/2024 9:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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By: Kelly Hines
Isaiah Barnes was looking for a bigger role, and he found that at Tulsa.
In his first season upon transferring from Michigan, the former four-star recruit instantly became a central figure in the Hurricane rebuild. Barnes brings versatility and a calming presence that make him difficult to take off the floor.
"He's a really important player," coach Eric Konkol said. "One of the things I like so much about him is he's really an everyday guy. He's very consistent and he's routine-oriented. He's a guy that takes care of his business. He's got a maturity about him.Tulsa sophomore Isaiah Barnes began his collegiate career at Michigan.
"I'm very encouraged just by his improvement to this point and where it can go. He's got great size. He's got great athletic ability. I think he's got a really high ceiling."
Near the midpoint of the season, the 6-foot-7 sophomore guard is averaging nine points and four rebounds. Behind the scenes, he's the player pushing teammates in practice, fueled by a relentless work ethic and the desire to make the most of the opportunity at TU.
"(Coach Konkol) told me exactly what it was: 'I'm not going to give you anything. You've got to come in and earn it,'" Barnes said. "Nothing has ever come easy for me, so I'm kind of used to it. I'm always up for a challenge."
Growing up in Chicago, Barnes watched his older brother Daniel succeed at basketball and develop into a college player who concluded his career professionally overseas. Isaiah, who is 13 years younger, always had a ball in his hands and started taking the game more seriously in junior high, when he shot up to 6-3.
Devoting himself to getting better paid off on the court, but Barnes wasn't getting the type of recruiting in high school that he thought he deserved. After a breakthrough junior season, he was looking forward to making a bigger name for himself in AAU ball when COVID-19 shut everything down.
"I was just trying to find a gym to go to," he said. "There was nothing to do. I was still sitting on the offers that I had, which I was really grateful for, but I just knew that there was something more."
Barnes used his high school film to make a highlight-reel video that he sent to college programs across the country. Within a matter of days, interest came from elite Division I programs, and the offers soon followed.
The pandemic made the decision process difficult, but Barnes chose Michigan and spent two years with the Wolverine program, redshirting his first season on campus. He again bet on himself, knowing he could be a more valuable player elsewhere and opting to join the transfer portal.
Meanwhile, Konkol and his staff were quickly targeting pieces in the portal who fit what they were seeking as players and as people. A connection on the Michigan staff vouched for Barnes' ability and character, and TU knew it could provide the type of opportunity he wanted.
A short three weeks later, Barnes was on campus, committing to the Hurricane on his visit as a key pickup for the class.
"I made a quick decision because I didn't want to stay in the portal for too long," he said. "And also, Tulsa just felt like a great fit for me. Coach Konkol, he presented the opportunity and I trusted and believed that they were going to be the best staff to help me improve and be the best version of me."
Barnes, who can be quiet until people get to know him, wasn't sure what to expect at a smaller school. When he arrived early in the summer, he soon felt at ease in a new environment.
"One thing that I noticed was they were really hands-on with me, especially when I got here," he said. "We got right in the gym and they just showed that they cared about my development throughout the summer."
With an almost entirely new roster -- only two players remained from last year's team -- Barnes and his TU teammates connected over their similar situations and didn't need long to establish a bond that has carried them early in their Hurricane careers.
"The majority (of the team), we started from scratch," Barnes said. "We get to make our own destiny kind of and it's like a fresh start for everybody -- not just for the team, but for individuals."
With his skill, size and athleticism, Barnes is bursting with potential. He's driven by the daily pursuit of becoming a more complete player and teammate.
"I see myself as somebody that just has different pieces of the puzzle; I've just got to keep adding," he said. "Being in Tulsa, I don't have any expectations for myself but to just be the best version of me every day and have faith in God and everything else will take care of itself."
