NBA Star Makes Large Donation To Ames School

As NBA players sit and wonder if they'll be able to resume their season, one NBA star from Iowa is using his time off to help out his old high school. KCCI reports that current Sacramento Kings and former Ames High School star Harrison Barnes will donate nearly $200,000 to the Ames School District.

Barnes and his wife Brittany have announced that they will be donating $195,000 for gym renovations at the new high school. Barnes says that the city of Ames means a lot to his family and that the school helped him achieve his basketball dreams.

With the opportunity for my wife and I to give back a contribution to the school, and keep it a top notch place for kids not only to go to school, but to enjoy their athletic experience, is important to us.

KCCI says that the money will go towards upgrades to the school's gym including a video board, upgraded scoreboards, floor-mounted NBA baskets, upgraded lights, and an expanded student section. Work on the gym is expected to be completed in two years.

Barnes shot to basketball stardom while at Ames High School. He was ranked the number one high school recruit by Scout.com in 2010. He led Ames High School to back to back state titles in Class 4A going undefeated in both seasons. He played his college ball at North Carolina. Barnes was then drafted by the Golden State Warriors 7th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft. He played four seasons with the Warriors and won an NBA Championship in 2015. Barnes has also played for Dallas, and now Sacramento.