I caught up with Chicago-area trainers Aubery and Eddie Denard to get more on four-star 2021 Michigan hoops signee Isaiah Barnes. Here are some highlights from our interview:
On their overall thoughts on Barnes:
Aubery: "Isaiah has a pro body already. He's done a great job working on his body over the spring and summer. He's added a lot of skill to the gaps he had before. He played with pros all summer. Most high school kids don't get that opportunity. That really elevated his game. He's almost two years ahead of time. He's making reads on the fly, learning how to play pick and roll and move without the ball. Obviously, he's an explosive athlete. He's starting to be a lot more physical. You don't see a lot of high school kids bumping guys and dunking on them. His ability to create his own score has improved tremendously. He's added step backs to his game and different moves, which shows he can be an elite scorer at the next level. To me, his ceiling has not been reached yet. He has room to grow, but he's also one of the Top 20-30 players in the country."
Eddie: "The thing that impresses me the most about Isaiah is his competitive nature. Even though he's going to the University of Michigan, he's not satisfied with that. I can tell with how he competes against the competition. He still has so much to prove. I think that's going to help him a lot when he goes to the next level at Michigan. He's going to have to earn everything when he gets up there with Juwan (Howard). I think he's ready for that. That's the biggest asset with him. He's always going to have that chip on his shoulder."
On how Barnes fits in at Michigan:
Aubery: "His versatility will allow him to play multiple spots on the court. His ability to handle the ball, guard bigs and wings and move his feet will allow him to be the most versatile guy on the team. I see him fitting in really well from Day 1. He's also very coachable. He listens. He makes adjustments in his game. He's open minded to constructive criticism from a coach. He's just an overall great person. He's very likable. He'll jell well with those other freshmen that are studs also."
Eddie: "He's going to fit in perfectly with his versatility and IQ. He has a great feel for the game. He can affect the game in so many different ways. Him in transition is unbelievable. That's going to be an easy fit for him. He's been playing with great players and is going to a system that will also feature other top players in the country. He'll be able to go in and do what he does."
On a college/pro comparison for Barnes:
Aubery: "I think he's a mixture of a lot of players. They have him listed as a small forward, but I see him as a mix of a small forward and shooting guard. To be honest, I think he's his own guy. I don't even want to put a name on him because he's Isaiah Barnes. Pretty soon, people are going to realize there is no one else like him that has as much work ethic and charisma to get better. I think he's Isaiah Barnes."
Eddie: "I like Kelly Oubre. If he can be more assertive, that's the guy I see him being like as far as the athleticism and skill package — his ability to score off the step back, off the dribble, off catch and shoot and his ability to finish at the rim. That's a great comparison."
On their overall thoughts on Barnes:
Aubery: "Isaiah has a pro body already. He's done a great job working on his body over the spring and summer. He's added a lot of skill to the gaps he had before. He played with pros all summer. Most high school kids don't get that opportunity. That really elevated his game. He's almost two years ahead of time. He's making reads on the fly, learning how to play pick and roll and move without the ball. Obviously, he's an explosive athlete. He's starting to be a lot more physical. You don't see a lot of high school kids bumping guys and dunking on them. His ability to create his own score has improved tremendously. He's added step backs to his game and different moves, which shows he can be an elite scorer at the next level. To me, his ceiling has not been reached yet. He has room to grow, but he's also one of the Top 20-30 players in the country."
Eddie: "The thing that impresses me the most about Isaiah is his competitive nature. Even though he's going to the University of Michigan, he's not satisfied with that. I can tell with how he competes against the competition. He still has so much to prove. I think that's going to help him a lot when he goes to the next level at Michigan. He's going to have to earn everything when he gets up there with Juwan (Howard). I think he's ready for that. That's the biggest asset with him. He's always going to have that chip on his shoulder."
On how Barnes fits in at Michigan:
Aubery: "His versatility will allow him to play multiple spots on the court. His ability to handle the ball, guard bigs and wings and move his feet will allow him to be the most versatile guy on the team. I see him fitting in really well from Day 1. He's also very coachable. He listens. He makes adjustments in his game. He's open minded to constructive criticism from a coach. He's just an overall great person. He's very likable. He'll jell well with those other freshmen that are studs also."
Eddie: "He's going to fit in perfectly with his versatility and IQ. He has a great feel for the game. He can affect the game in so many different ways. Him in transition is unbelievable. That's going to be an easy fit for him. He's been playing with great players and is going to a system that will also feature other top players in the country. He'll be able to go in and do what he does."
On a college/pro comparison for Barnes:
Aubery: "I think he's a mixture of a lot of players. They have him listed as a small forward, but I see him as a mix of a small forward and shooting guard. To be honest, I think he's his own guy. I don't even want to put a name on him because he's Isaiah Barnes. Pretty soon, people are going to realize there is no one else like him that has as much work ethic and charisma to get better. I think he's Isaiah Barnes."
Eddie: "I like Kelly Oubre. If he can be more assertive, that's the guy I see him being like as far as the athleticism and skill package — his ability to score off the step back, off the dribble, off catch and shoot and his ability to finish at the rim. That's a great comparison."
