Homewood-Flossmoor’s Destin Barnes leaves options open

Destin Barnes does not have everything mapped out. He is open and free and considering everything on the table. The 6-6 Homewood-Flossmoor wing is one of the top remaining unsigned players.

After serving as the catalyst for the Vikings’ second-half surge to the season, Barnes had the incentive to delay his decision. When your college decision, like his, remains very much in play, everything counts. The better you play, the greater the upside.

Most of the slots for the senior class are already accounted for. Rather than be nervous about the uncertainty, he views it as a form of liberation. It’s a riskier though sometimes more satisfying route to take, according to Barnes.

“Right now, I feel like I’m a free agent and everybody wants to know what I’m doing and they want a piece of you,” Barnes said.

The wing guard and forward averaged 16 points, six rebounds and four assists for the 20-win Vikings who reached the sectional semifinals and lost just two games after Christmas. Barnes showed the size and versatility to play in the post and on the wing.

In the first year of coach Marc Condotti, the Viking started slowly after the football team reached the Class 8A state championship game and it took time for the team to jell under a new system and incorporating the football players into the mix.

The three-year starter helped bridge the early difficulties. The Vikings were virtually untouchable after January. Other than Class 4A state champion Stevenson, Homewood-Flossmoor was the only team to knock off third-place finisher Bolingbrook after December as the Vikings captured the SouthWest Suburban Blue.

“Once we got everybody together, our team chemistry just skyrocketed,” Barnes said.

Barnes was the primary cause who demonstrated leadership and a strong command of the game that paid dividends in multiple avenues for the team.

“I think my shooting is a strong point, as well as my understanding of the game,” he said. “I have a very strong basketball IQ. I can put it on the floor and also pass the ball and play a multitude of positions.”

Barnes said he is most comfortable playing shooting guard, and he believes that is his ideal college position.

Chicago State has offered Barnes. He is also drawing interest from UIC, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Indiana University-Purdue University, Rhode Island, North Dakota State, South Dakota State and James Madison. He is also playing on the spring club circuit with the Derrick Rose All-Stars during the April live period as a way to broaden his exposure.

“After that I’m going to get committed and sign somewhere,” he said.

Barnes is also a standout baseball player. He thinks that contributed to the limited activity of his recruiting.

“I was playing competitive and travel baseball up until last year, and I think that’s one reason my recruiting has gone a little slow,” he said.

His future is very much in his hands.

“I didn’t play as much club or AAU before, but now I’m fully committed to basketball,” he said.