Hard work nets Barnes MVP 'milestone'... Tivoli Wizards star now dreams of national spot

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

"When I got the award I was like, yes! This is another milestone for me."

Those were the words of Tivoli Gardens Wizards' Omar Barnes, celebrating after he was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Flow National Basketball League, which ended at the National Indoor Centre on Sunday.

The 6'4" forward, who sometimes doubles as a guard, was awarded the league's top accolade after impressive performances in the finals, in which he helped to guide his team to a come-from-behind 2-1 series win over neighbouring Majesty Gardens Legends.

Hustling back and forth, shooting, defending, collecting rebounds, dishing out assists and making steals, Barnes was a standout for the champions in all three games; and when he was awarded the accolade, according to him, it confirmed that hard work really pays off.

"Winning the award is really a good feeling and it shows that all the hard work that I have been putting in is paying off," said the 26-year-old, who in the third and deciding game netted a game-high 24 points, pulled in seven rebounds and made three steals.

No surprise

"I wasn't really surprised as I was always of the opinion that it would be one of three of us on the team - Andrew Whilby (centre), Delano Mallett (point guard) or myself - would get it.

"We have been pushing hard since the start of the series and on different fronts we have been carrying the team."

He added: "In the first game when we went down by 20, I was like pushing it for us to get back the lead and although we fell short, everyone was saying that I played well.

"The second (final) was a bit more of the same with me upping the tempo even more, especially on the defensive end, and along with strong performances from Whilby, Anthony Farquharson and Mallett, we were able to come out on top.

"I then started to look to the third game, as everyone was saying I could get it, and having put in the performance that I did I was able to pull it off."

Wizards' coach Edward Marshall, who saw his team lose the first game of the series 88-83, but rallied to take the second 68-58 and the third 79-59, said Barnes deserved his accolade.

"I think he is the most defensive player on the team as when he is hustling he puts his all out and I really rate him for that," said Marshall.

"I think he can reach far and I wouldn't mind if the national team selects him, as depending on what the coach wants he could be a valuable player," he added.

Legends coach, Ludlow Barker, also shared Marshall sentiments.

"I thought he had a very good season with consistent performances. He was very good both defensively and offensively. All credit to him," said Barker.

"It now depends on him as to make it to the next level takes a lot of commitment, as the next level is no easy go. But if he decides to put in the work he could make it."

For Barnes, who is a past student of Jamaica College and hails from the community of Top Range off Mountain View Avenue, and who a season ago also played a lead role in the Wizards taking the league, making the national team and playing overseas are some of his immediate goals.

"I will be working hard and if given another opportunity will be trying to make the national team, which should be leaving in another couple of weeks for a regional championship," said Barnes, who plays in the number 22 jersey as a token to his first child, Jovaine Barnes, who was born when he was 22.

"I also plan to put in the work necessary in years to come so that if the opportunity presents itself I could play overseas basketball, be it in Europe or anywhere else."