SPORTS

Harrison Barnes bringing NBA title trophy back to Ames

Andrew Logue
alogue@dmreg.com
Ames native and Golden State Warrior Harrison Barnes is coming home, and he's bringing the most coveted prize in all of professional basketball.

Harrison Barnes is coming home, and he's bringing the most coveted prize in all of professional basketball.

The former Ames High School star helped the Golden State Warriors win their first NBA title since 1975, and he'll serve as grand marshal Saturday for his hometown's Fourth of July parade.

Barnes plans to show off the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy while joining a caravan down 5th Street. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Main and Clark streets in downtown Ames.

"Man, it's going to be pretty surreal," he said. "When I was hooping as a young kid, I always dreamed of playing in the NBA someday.

"And it was always a goal of mine to win a championship, so being able to bring that trophy to Ames, Iowa, is truly special."

Barnes is the first Iowa high school graduate to earn an NBA championship ring since West Des Moines Valley's Matt Bullard played for the Houston Rockets in 1994.

The only other in-state prep to reach that pinnacle was West Des Moines Dowling Catholic's Bob Hansen with 1992 Chicago Bulls.

"Harrison has always been very generous to his hometown with his time and talents," Ames mayor Ann Campbell said. "So we're thrilled to have him come here this weekend."

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound Barnes is a starter for the Warriors and averaged 8.8 points in six NBA Finals games against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He grabbed 10 rebounds in Game 5, but most television viewers will remember Barnes' two-handed, put-back dunk over LeBron James.

"A lot of people ask me about that play," Barnes said. "I got into early foul trouble so I was on the bench for a little bit.

"Coach (Steve Kerr) put me in the last play of the half. I set a screen for Steph (Curry) and when I saw both guys jump to him, I knew I had a wide open run to the basket.

"When that ball came off the rim, it was all in one jump," Barnes added. "I just wanted to try and finish strong."

With Curry, the league's most valuable player, and others returning, national pundits are wondering if Golden State is on the verge of a dynasty.

"We're a confident group," Barnes said. "We feel like we have a good formula and pieces in place to make another deep playoff run.

"The biggest thing is to continue to get better."

Barnes and current Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott helped Ames win state titles in 2009 and 2010.

After two seasons at North Carolina, Barnes was picked seventh overall by the Warriors during the 2012 NBA Draft.

He's averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 241 regular-season games.

"The best thing will be to not only see my family, but to see a lot of friends, too," Barnes said of his return. "With no NBA team in the state, a lot of people have to come to Indiana, Minnesota or Chicago to watch an NBA game.

"To be able to bring this trophy back and let them be a part of this experience with me ... it's really special."