Michigan commit Isaiah Barnes knew it was only a matter of time.
Despite being one of the top prospects in Illinois for the 2021 class, his high-major opportunities weren’t coming in at the same rate as the state’s other top recruits.
While some, like AAU teammates Max Christie (a Michigan State commit) and Bryce Hopkins (a Louisville commit), were receiving high-major offers two years ago, Barnes had entered his junior year at Oak Park and River Forest High with one Division I offer, from Illinois.
"Seeing a lot of guys getting the attention that I know that I know deserve really made me play and grind with a chip on my shoulder, like I have something to prove,” Barnes, who described himself as a late bloomer, told The Detroit News.