Charles Barnes has developed into a versatile star on the basketball court, showing off an ability to play all over the floor last season as he earned third team all-state honors at De La Salle.
Now Barnes, a 6-foot-6 forward, is ready for a new challenge — and the big opportunity that awaits him after he transferred to Marist ahead of his senior season.
“Everything’s great,” Barnes said. “It’s a major adjustment, but the team is very receptive and (Brian) Hynes is a great coach. I feel like I’m fitting in well. I’m really excited about this team.”
Marist also is excited about utilizing Barnes, who averaged 17 points, six rebounds and three assists last season.
Stephen Brown, Marist’s standout senior forward, is thrilled to have Barnes as another force in the RedHawks’ lineup.
“It’s a great fit and I think he’s going to be a great player for us,” Brown said. “He can score, he can facilitate, and I feel like he’s a big addition for us.”
Hynes hopes to use Barnes in a variety of ways, taking advantage of his ability to play inside and out.
In summer ball, Barnes took on ballhandling responsibilities and ran the offense from the perimeter at times while also spending plenty of minutes in the post.
“He’s literally almost another point guard in our offense,” Hynes said. “He’s used to being out on the wing, so that’s going to take a little while, but he’s so coachable. You just don’t get guys that come in that are like him. It’s always, ‘Yes, coach. Whatever you want me to do.’
“The summer’s really important because we need every day to get him involved and get everything in sync, but he knows all these guys.”
Barnes feels prepared for every role he’s needed in.
“It’s going to be a fun year,” he said. “I feel like I’m ready to take on the responsibility that comes with it. I’m ready to win.”
Barnes’ addition increases what were already set to be very high expectations for Marist, which returns several key pieces from last season’s team that finished 31-3.
Brown and senior guards Adoni Vassilakis, Karson Thomas and TJ Tate headline the returnees.
“We have a lot of depth,” Barnes said. “When our bench guys come in, they play just as well as us.
“We’re all being recruited at a high level and I feel like we all push each other to be the best we can at all times because people are always watching.”
Barnes has offers from Cleveland State and Illinois State. The latter is where his father, Charles Sr., played his college basketball.
“As long as I can remember, it’s been a goal of mine to play Division I college basketball like my dad,” Barnes said. “He raised me. He molded my game from a young age. I even learned from watching him play. He was still playing in the old man games.
“I’m hoping I can commit somewhere before the season starts.”
Barnes has heard all about the heartbreaking way last season ended for Marist.
The RedHawks let a 15-point lead slip away and lost 86-85 in overtime in a Class 4A sectional semifinal against host and eventual fourth-place state finisher Rich Township.
“We want every player’s screensaver to be the scoreboard from that Rich Township game,” Hynes said. “But we’ve played in big games now and we know what to expect.”
Barnes hopes to be the addition that pushes Marist over the top.
“I just want to win,” he said. “I want to get that state championship. I’ve never made it past the sectional championship, so I want it to take it all the way to Champaign.”