Barnes recently completed an award-winning four-year career as the leading scorer in UT Dallas men’s basketball history with 1,411 points. (Photo by Doug Fejer)
UT Dallas senior men’s basketball star Chris Barnes has been nominated to play in the 2012 Reese’s Division III College All-Star Game, which will be played March 17 in conjunction with the NCAA Division III “Final Four” Championship in Salem, Va.
The final two roster spots in the national All-Star Game will be decided via online ballot, with fans invited to vote. Barnes is on a ballot with seven other Division III seniors from throughout the nation. The top two vote-getters will earn the final two roster spots and play in the game.
“Chris is certainly worthy of being a part of this team,” said UT Dallas head basketball coach Terry Butterfield. “But we need anyone and everyone associated with UT Dallas to get online and vote as soon as possible. Earning a spot on this team would be a tremendous honor for Chris, and it would bring national recognition to an outstanding young man, our athletic program and the University.”
Barnes recently completed an award-winning four-year career as the leading scorer in UT Dallas men’s basketball history with 1,411 points. He was a two-time American Southwest Conference (ASC) East Division Player of the Year and was second-team National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III All-American as a junior. A three-time ASC Academic All-Conference honoree, Barnes graduated in three years and is currently working toward his MBA in the Naveen Jindall School of Management.
The two players selected by vote will join two seniors selected from each Division III region. In addition, two seniors from the teams eliminated in the national semifinals will be offered an opportunity to play, for a total of 10 players per side.“This online voting allows fans to be directly involved and adds to the excitement surrounding the event,” said Reggie Minton, NABC deputy executive director.
“We’re excited to be able to offer this opportunity to Division III basketball fans,” said Pat Coleman, executive editor of D3hoops.com. “Interest in Division III basketball is never higher than the last week of February and the beginning of March, so we expect a great turnout in the fan balloting.”
Fans cheer on Chris Barnes at a recent Comets basketball game.