When both DJ Carton and Alonzo Gaffney committed to Ohio State in 2018, they were ranked as five-star recruits. Holtmann, though, has never landed any players as highly ranked as
Scottie Barnes.
The 6-foot-8, 210-pound prospect is ranked No. 4 overall in the class of 2020. In February, he included Ohio State among his top eight schools along with Duke, Kentucky, Oregon, California, Kansas, Miami and Florida State.
Barnes has not taken a visit to Columbus, but he said he plans to do so "soon."
"Me and Ohio State, we text all the time," Barnes said. "The coaches came in to see me last week, too. I really like the coaches, the program, what they're building. They're building something very special."
Though players his size typically play either as a wing or forward, Barnes views himself as a point guard who can also play off the ball.
Ohio State, he said, has pitched him as a primary ballhandler with the ability to play other positions.
"They talk to me about how I'd be a point guard but run the game, transition to other spots too," Barnes said.
Currently, the Buckeyes aren't viewed as the favorite for Barnes, but they have time to make their case. He doesn't plan to make a decision on which school to attend until "late next year."
Ultimately, Barnes said, relationships with those in the program will seal his decision.
"Someone I feel comfortable with going to school and making it be the right fit for me," Barnes said.
