Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Raleigh, NC (Future150) -- The evolution of towering point guards began many years ago when Magic Johnson starred for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980's, wowing adoring fans with his point guard instincts combined with his amazing 6'9" height.
Since then, taller guards have been honing their lead guard skills hoping to emulate the NBA legend. From LeBron James to Shaun Livingston to Kyle Anderson, prep school stars have since been wanting to play the point guard position while standing at least 6'5" tall.
While many so-called "expects" of the game of basketball insist that the best point guards at the highest levels of the game should be at least six-feet tall in stature, several stars have proven that is not necessarily true. Namely, high school junior Aquille Carr has dominated the high school game with dazzling speed and incredible instincts, all while standing just 5'7". With the emergence of Carr and his legendary mixtapes, shorter point guards all over the country are taking his lead and showing that regardless of size, they can be elite floor generals at any level of the game.
One of those young guards following in his footsteps is Garner Magnet High School (NC) freshman Julius Barnes. The 5'8", 150-pound point guard plays much like Carr, and he compares his game favorably to the future Seton Hall Pirate.
"Aquille Carr, i love his game and toughness. I think i can get into the lane and have a toughness like him. I try to use my speed to make up for my height disadvantage. Also our height doesn't stop us from finishing at the rim."
Much like his carbon-copy, he is starting to become known for his incredible speed and toughness. After enjoying a solid freshman season for Garner High School, Julius' coming out party came after he was invited to the prestigious 2012 Dave Telep Carolina Challenge, an annual event that showcases the best underclass talent that the state has to offer.
At the event, he opened the eyes of Telep, an ESPN employee and one of the most respected recruiting analysts in the country. He was able to make a name for himself with his blazing speed, ability to get into the lane against any defender, explosive athleticism, toughness, and competitiveness.
Now, he is ready to continue to make a name for himself while traveling this summer with his AAU team, the Garner Road Bulldogs. In an age where size is everything, young guards like Julius Barnes are proving that skills and heart can outweigh physical gifts. While he may never become the next Aquille Carr, he certainly seems like he is headed to the same place as the Baltimore star, and that is division one basketball.
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