Cobie Barnes (201-F, college: St.Mary of the Woods) is a 201cm forward playing his second professional season and first with BC Mess (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) currently averaging 35,3ppg, 10,3rpg, 4,0apg and 2,0spg. Last season he played his rookie season with Ferro Carril Salto (Uruguay-LUB) averaging 21.5ppg, 12.0rpg, 1.0apg. He began his basketball career at Floyd Central High School and then played 2 seasons and 54 NCAA games for Indiana State University averaging 2.1ppg, 1.9rpg and 3.4ppg, 2.3rpg. He then played the next 3 seasons at John A. Logan College (JUCO) averaging 14.4ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 74.5%, at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (NCAA) averaging 2.5ppg, 1.8rpg and at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (NAIA) averaging 23.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 72.8%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Cobie for talking to germanhoops.com Your playing your second pro season with BC Mess (Luxembourg-Nationale 2). What kind of an experience has it been and what have you enjoyed most from the experience?

It has been great. I really enjoy my teammates, people and just the basketball here.

Do you kind of feel like a rookie this season since you only played 2 games in Uruguay last season?

I do still consider myself a rookie. I actually played more than 2 games in Uruguay but I don’t know if the stats were uploaded.

What was your wake up call to being in Europe this season where you knew that you were far away from home?

Honestly my biggest wake up call that I wasn’t home were the reusable grocery bags. I think that’s something I’ll bring back to the USA.

BC Mess is 3-0. What are the ambitions of the team? Are the goals to move up?

The goal is to win a championship and move up.

Your playing with fellow American Denathony McCallum who like you is a great scorer. Is there enough room for the both of you to score much on a normal game basis?

I think that DeAnthony and I play really well off of each other, and find each other within the offensive scheme great. We both like to run and play off of each others strengths.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think I compare to a Paolo Banchero and Luka type of player.

You’re an explosive scorer, but also fill the stat sheet very well. Is versatility a bigger strength than your scoring?

I was always taught to impact the game in more ways than just scoring. So I think rebounds, assists, steals etc. are just as important as putting points up.

You had very many assists in 2 of the 3 games this season. Is getting a triple double something you could imagine yourself doing?

A triple double is definitely something I want to try to get before the end of the season. That’s always something that is a great show of impact on the game I think.

Let´s talk about your defensive game. How would you rate yourself as a defender in your second pro season and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I would say that I am a really hard worker on defense. I feel like I over communicate and try to give as much effort on the defensive end as possible. I want to become a lockdown defender for the whole game as I mature in my career.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

I would say I’m looking to improve my off the ball scoring. Whether it’s catch and shoot, cutting, screening or anything else.

You had a short stay with Ferro Carril Salto (Uruguay-LUB) averaging 21.5ppg, 12.0rpg, 1.0apg. You played 2 games. What kind of an experience was it basketball wise?

We actually played a good amount of games before we played in the LUB. I went down there January 1st of 2025 and was there for 3 months. We won the LSB and the OBL. And I averaged 22, 8 and 4 assists throughout the whole season, but I don’t think they reported the stats to Eurobasket. I loved Uruguay though. I think they have some of the best fans I’ve ever seen, and the basketball is growing there. I had a lot of good vets on my team that helped me adapt to my first 3 months over seas.

You played 2 seasons at Indiana State University (NCAA) averaging 2.1ppg, 1.9rpg
and 3.4ppg, 2.3rpg. This is the school Larry Bird went to. Is his legacy present there?

Yeah his legacy is felt there. His picture and statues are everywhere around campus.

You averaged 11 minutes in your 2 seasons at Indiana State playing for Greg Lansing. How would you have described your role and what positives could you get from these 2 years?

Those years at ISU taught me how to be a team player. I had to learn how to be a star in my specific role and I thank Coach for that.

You had some great games against Evansville and Loyola Il. What was your fondest moment at Indiana State?

Honestly my fondest memories come with my teammates. I still keep in touch with the guys and we were always smiling when we were around.

You then took a few steps back at played at John A. Logan College (JUCO) averaging 14.4ppg, 6.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.1%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 74.5%. That must have been very humbling. Usually guys start in JUCO and then move up but it´s very rare for guys to go from the NCAA to JUCO: How vital was this decision for your development and mentality?

I think it was a necessary part of my journey. I needed to get comfortable being uncomfortable and Juco helped me with that.

Every guy that I have interviewed that played JUCO have told me it was a very tough grind, but an experience that they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you playing for Kyle Smithpeters?

I feel the same way. Coach Kyle was tough on me but we had a great relationship. Coach always knew how to get the guys to play their best and knew how to keep us together.

You then reached the NCAA again playing with Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (NCAA) playing 14 games averaging 2.5ppg, 1.8rpg. You averaged only 8 minutes. How tough was it coming from many JUCO minutes to little minutes in the NCAA? Despite that what positives could you get from that year?

It was different for sure. I got really sick at the start of the season and ended up having to get my gallbladder removed in December of that year. And the recovery process took a couple different turns. Some positives I took from that year were to never take anything for granted. It was a tough year, but prepared me for overseas I believe. I just wanted to thank my support system for helping when I had to get surgery to remove my gallbladder. Especially my fiancé who was really my rock through it all.

You then took a step back again and played with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (NAIA) averaging 23.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 72.8%. Here you were reborn. How did your game grow that season?

That was the season I knew I had to have. I went into the summer and gave everything I had to become a professional basketball player. No excuses just results. I learned how to be the #1 option in intense games at SMWC.

You had so many great games and wins but also loses. How tough was that 67-75 loss to Point Park where you scored 31 points? Is that one of those games you won´t ever forget?

The losses hurt more than the wins feel good. I still think about that one and wish I could’ve done more to help us win.

How did head coach Jessie Mcclung groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach McClung saved my career. He helped me with my mentality, work ethic, and becoming a great man. I look up to him so much and I owe him for life for saving my career.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jessie Burdick?

Let’s just say he played hard in those games haha.

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I would say that the best player I played in the NCAA that made the NBA was Obi Toppin. We played him my first game of my freshman year of college and that was eye opening for sure.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My 5 best teammates in no order are: Sean East, Jake Laravia, Tyreke Key, Christian Williams, and Miles McBride.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My personal Mount Rushmore is: LeBron, MJ, Magic and Kareem.

Who is your GOAT?

My goat is LeBron!

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

Yeah they should have left it alone haha.

Thanks Cobie for the chat.