JUCO Hoops: Barnes finds new home at SIU-Edwardsville

Cobie Barnes, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound shooting guard will be transferring from John A. Logan College to Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, the Floyd Knobs, Indiana product confirmed to Southern Illinois Local Media Group Friday morning.

This past season, Barnes was part of the Volunteers 29-4 team that won the Region 24 Championship before falling to Harcum College in the first round at the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchison, Kansas.

Barnes played in 33 games for the Vols, averaging 14.4 points per game and shot 50% from the field, 31% from 3-point range and 74.5% from the free throw line.

Barnes, who visited the Edwardsville campus earlier this week, said he enjoyed the campus, city and how the coaches made him feel "at home."

"I feel like the Ohio Valley Conference is very winnable, and I feel as if I can impact winning right away and also help bring a winning culture to Edwardsville.

"The goal is to win and make it to the professional level. I feel like I can help them win and they can help me be a pro."

Prior to coming to JALC, Barnes spent two seasons at Indiana State, where in two seasons he averaged 2.7 per game, shooting 45% from the field, 35% from beyond the arc and 50% from the charity stripe.

SIU-Edwardsville went 11-21 this past season, finishing 5-13 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

Barnes will join Moberly Area Community College transfer Dorion Staples and James Madison transfer Jalen Hodge as part of Brian Barone's roster.

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.