Harrison Barnes Inks New Deal

Harrison Barnes received a huge new contract!

Former Tar Heel Harrison Barnes just signed a 3-year, $54 million dollar contract extension with the Sacramento Kings. That deal officially makes him North Carolina’s highest paid NBA player ever based solely on contracts. Next season will be his 12th, playing for three different teams.

Time at UNC

Barnes was the number one player in the 2010 class and chose North Carolina over Duke, Kansas, Iowa State, and others. In Chapel Hill, Barnes averaged 16.3 points and 5.5 rebounds over two seasons. He was the 2010-2011 ACC Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-ACC selection. He had many memorable games, like the time he scored 40 points against Clemson, posterized Milton Jennings of Clemson, hit the game winner against Florida State, and many others. The 2011-2012 team was one of the best teams to not win a championship.

NBA Career

After being selected 7th overall by the Golden State Warriors, Barnes helped them win a championship. When his time with the Warriors ended he went to Dallas, and for two and a half seasons, was one of their best players. Barnes was then traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he plays now. He has served as a veteran presence on a team with a young roster. This past season, he helped the Kings make the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Averaging 15 points per game last year, Barnes remains a steady scorer, like he has been wherever he has played throughout his career. Additionally, he is only 31 years old, and has plenty left in the tank. Currently, Barnes serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the National Basketball Players Association.

Barnes still comes back to Chapel Hill in the Summer, and was playing with the team just last week, For all of his accomplishments and work outside of basketball, it is a good thing to have him as a Tar Heel!