UNC's Barnes has to wait, but all's golden at NBA draft

The Ames, Iowa, native, ranked in the top-five of most mock drafts heading into Thursday night's real deal on the NBA big stage, had to watch six players get their names plastered to the Prudential Center big board before his turn came.

He said he didn't mind the wait. Barnes was very composed and kept it together. The audience reaction was low-key.

"I'm just truly blessed," the 6-8 small forward out of the University of North Carolina said after getting selected by the Golden State Warriors with the seventh pick of the first round. "I don't really have a lot of words right now other than that."

When the Ames High School graduate finally heard his name called by NBA Commissioner David Stern, he bear-hugged his mother, Shirley, and sister Jourdan-Ashle, 13. The women couldn't stop smiling.

"He was calm, he was calm. I think I was pretty composed, as well," his mother said. "But really, just overjoyed. He's just happy to be a Warrior and just happy to actually be a league player now."

After fastening his Warriors' hat, there was only one thing left to worry about for Barnes.

"The biggest thing I was thinking was, 'Don't trip,'" said Barnes, decked out in a conservative yet slick grey suit. "I was just a little nervous and excited that I got picked."

Barnes needed a couple deep breathes after shaking Stern's hand but walked off the stage with a wide, bright smile and a shiny gold and blue Warriors hat to go with it, and was directed straight over to be interviewed on ESPN.

To everyone who congratulated him he said, "Thank you."

He was led through the tunnels to the NBA Entertainment suite for more interviews for at least 30 minutes, then back out to do an interview with Sirius Radio. The big smile never left his face as he took it all in.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams sat with Barnes' mom and sister and said his former Tar Heel star "is going to be a big-time basketball player in the NBA for many years."

"It's a fantastic night for the whole family," Williams said. "He had a great following in Ames, Iowa (where he led Ames High School to a 53-0 record and two state title between 2009-10). He had a great following at Chapel Hill. Harrison's an incredible young man."

Barnes averaged 15.7 and 17.1 points in his two seasons at UNC, becoming one of six Tar Heels to average at least 15 points as a freshman and sophomore.

"It was his goal to be in the NBA, so to have that come to fruition now is special," his mom said.

Barnes was one of 14 players selected to participate in the draft ceremonies ? and enjoy a lunch with Stern at The Westin Hotel in Times Square earlier Thursday, a sure sign of the potential most NBA experts saw in Barnes.

"He can play two positions for (Golden State), he can rebound the basketball. But the best thing he does is, he scores," Williams said. "I've never seen an NBA team that didn't need people who could score. Harrison is a great pick for them."

Barnes had a group of 26 supporting him draft night, including aunts, uncles and cousins who watched him and UNC teammates Kendall Marshall, John Henson and Tyler Zeller follow as first-round selections.

Marshall was taken at No. 13 by the Phoenix Suns, Henson went next to the Milwaukee Bucks and Zeller was taken by the Dallas Mavericks with the 17th pick, with his rights then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Barnes has never been to the Bay Area but said he looks forward to heading there Friday and starting his career with the Warriors.

"It's a very first-class organization," Barnes said. "I can't wait to get out there and play for them.

"Whatever my ceiling is, I'm definitely going to try to reach it."

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