Raptors draft pick Scottie Barnes willing to work for greatness
Scottie Barnes said he believes he can be one of the best players in the NBA -- and he's planning to become that icon by working hard for the Toronto Raptors.
The Raptors selected Barnes, a 19-yearold Florida State forward, with the No. 4 pick in the draft Thursday.
Barnes said he had great meetings with Toronto heading into the draft, but didn't get a sense the team would choose him.
"Once they called my name, it was really just a huge rush of excitement," he told reporters on a video call. "When I went on my workout day, I really had a good workout, being able to talk to people on their staff, really develop a relationship."
The six-foot-nine, 225-pound native of West Palm Beach, Fla., averaged 10.3 points and 4.1 assists for the Seminoles last season and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman of the year.
He was a defensive force, with 35 steals and 11 blocks in 24 games.
"I don't back down for nobody. It's about how tough you are, what you're willing to do. I'm willing to do those things," said Barnes, clad in a brand-new red Raptors had, a white turtle neck and a shimmering white brocade suit. "I'm pretty tough on the floor, I have a grit when I'm on the floor. I don't get bullied."
Toronto's latest addition does have room for improvement, though, after going 11 for 40 on three-point shots and shooting 62 per cent from the line last season.
Barnes said his shooting has improved "tremendously," even since the college campaign wrapped, but said he's willing to keep working as he transitions into the NBA.
"If they feel like they need to fix something in it, I'm willing to work with them to try to fix whatever it needs," he said. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to try to be the best player I can be, being that great player, being at the top of the league, being able to just come in day in and day out knowing that I'm the best player on the floor.
"I'm trying to achieve greatness." Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said Barnes has the makings of a special player, especially if he continues to grind.
"He reminds me of two guys we already have -- OG (Anunoby) and Pascal (Siakam)," Nurse said. "And if he can adopt the work ethic that they've done to become as good as they've become, then he'll have a chance to do similar things, I think."
The coach envisions a lineup that includes all three athletes on the floor at once, instantly making the team tougher to play against.
"We like guys that can handle, pass, score, defend, rebound a little bit and just kind of come at you in waves with that," he said. "And I think that gives us a chance to do that with the three guys."
Still, there are sure to be growing pains as Barnes adjusts to the league, Nurse said.
"I guarantee he's probably going to have some 'Wow!' moments, he's probably going to have some 'Oh my gosh' moments. And then hopefully some more 'Wow!' moments," he said. "It'll be up and down, like it is for most young players."
With the No. 46 selection, the Raptors made history, choosing hometown product Dalano Banton.
The six-foot-nine, 204-pound guard is the first Canadian to ever be drafted by Toronto.