Senior basketball player Terrell Barnes graduates from Tech in May after four years of achievements both on and off the court.
Terrell Lamar Barnes was born Aug. 14, 1990 in Miami, Fla. He is the son of Ronald and Stephanie Barnes and brother to Chris Barnes, who also played college basketball for four years at the University of Georgia.
Barnes earned four varsity letters on his basketball team at Riverdale High School in Georgia under Coach Derrick Powell. He averaged 11.3 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks per game his senior season.
He also earned his team’s “Best All-Around Player” honor and led his team to a 24-7 record his junior season and a class 4A region championship. He excelled in the classroom, finishing high school with a 3.1 GPA.
Barnes signed his letter of intent in 2009 under Coach Mike Sutton.
“Terrell is a forward who can handle the ball,” Sutton said. “He can shoot, he’s a good passer and he has a really good understanding of the game. He makes players around him better. He finishes around the basket, and he does the little things right. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better.”
Barnes said, “After taking my visit I loved the place. It had a family feel to it while still being a big enough city that I wouldn’t get home sick.”
In his freshman year at Tech, Barnes started in 17 games and played in 28 games.
“I wanted to play at a school where I could have the opportunity to play early,” Barnes said.
Barnes knew many of his fellow teammates early in his career at Tech.
“Me and Jud [Dillard] played high school ball together, and I knew Murph [Kevin Murphy], Zac [Swansey] and Bassey [Inameti] from playing on an AAU team together in high school,” Barnes said.
Throughout Barnes’ career he has been involved with other programs outside of the Tech basketball team.
He has become involved with the religious group Chi Alpha and has participated in many of the organization’s programs throughout his senior year.
Last summer he competed with the U.S. Eagles Men’s Basketball Team in East Asia. He played with high-level and professional teams in several large cities throughout Asia. In addition to its basketball training, the program is meant for the players to be involved in a leadership development program designed to promote integrity and character both on and off the court.
Barnes has also been a featured published writer with his non-fiction piece entitled “Men in Black” for the book “Breathing Antecedent.” The book was created and co-edited by Tech professor Andy Smith and student Sarah Townsend.
“I think Terrell has grown more as a person since he has been at Tech,” Russ Willemsen, assistant coach, said. “He is very caring towards other people, so I can see him doing something in the community with kids. Whether that’s coaching or helping the local youth centers, Terrell will have a great impact on society.”
