When Brooks Barnhizer first met Northwestern head coach Chris Collins, he was struck by how much Collins cared about his players.
At the time, Collins was freshly grieving the loss of legend Kobe Bryant, who he’d coached on Team USA and known through their fathers’ friendship on the Philadelphia 76ers. When Barnhizer was sidelined back in February with a foot injury, ending his Northwestern career, Collins wore his emotions on his sleeve yet again.
The senior guard was an unexpected selection in the draft’s second round. Fresh off their historic NBA championship, Oklahoma City selected Barnhizer with pick 44.
Barnhizer was a four year player and three year starter for the Wildcats. He’s a smart developmental pick that has some room to grow offensively. The guard averaged 17.1 points and 36.9 minutes per game last season before his injury.
He stands at 6-foot-6 and has a high basketball IQ, which could be his ticket to playing time next year. Barnhizer’s average rebounds (8.8), assists (4.2), steals (2.3) and blocks (1.1) per game are nothing to frown at either, but he’ll face competition from current guards Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace.
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The Thunder will sign the guard on a two-way contract.