Virginia learned a valuable lesson last year in the postseason when two players transferred, one was injured then suspended, another was lost to an injury, and another still was playing with a broken hand: shallow teams don't win. Bennett and his staff have been active on the recruiting and transfer market, including landing much-needed power forward Anthony Gill, a transfer out of South Carolina. Bennett and company continue to bolster the support, as Lexington, KY guard Taylor Barnette has committed to the incoming class.
Barnette had originally signed a letter of intent with Central Florida, committing the same week he made his official visit. But after an NCAA investigation into UCF's football and basketball recruiting practices that led to the resignation of their AD, he asked for and was granted a release from his LOI.
The 6'3 high school senior was just as trigger-happy when it came to Virginia. He made his official visit on Thursday, received a scholarship offer just today, and pretty much accepted on the spot.
The lefty shooter averaged 20 points and eight rebounds a game this past season and is considered a 3-star recruit by Rivals. ESPN calls him the sixth best player in Kentucky. He's basically a pure shooter with no real combo ability and could probably be compared to Joe Harris on a number of levels. He shot over 40% combined from beyond the arc during his sophomore and junior years. He had an ankle injury back in January, which might be a good reason to give him a redshirt if he's willing to take that.
His sister, Sarah Beth Barnette, is currently on the women's basketball team after having transferred from Kentucky.
Here are his senior season highlights: