Martay Barnes is quickly emerging as one of the most compelling two-sport family success stories to come through The Grind Session. The 6’2” sophomore guard from Melbourne, Florida brings high-level skill, explosive athleticism, and a rapidly evolving floor game to Academy of Central Florida, where he is now playing his second season with the national program.
Sophomore · 6’2” Shooting Guard · Class of 2027
Martay Barnes in 2025 vs Balboa.
Barnes has already attracted serious attention on the recruiting trail, holding scholarship offers from powerhouse programs including Florida State Seminoles, Kansas Jayhawks, Auburn Tigers, TCU Horned Frogs, Cincinnati Bearcats, Indiana Hoosiers, and several more, underscoring his broad national appeal.
On the scouting board, the résumé keeps growing. Barnes is ranked #46 on the ESPN Top 100 for 2027, carries a 4-star rating from 247Sports, and has been labeled the No. 1 combo guard in the 2027 class by On3. His game is defined by versatility: a true combo guard who can score, facilitate, defend, and win games in multiple ways. That identity has evolved rapidly over the past year.
Summer Stock-Riser on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit
Barnes spent his offseason shining on the Austin Rivers SE Elite AAU squad, competing upward on the premier Adidas 3SSB 3SSB Boys Circuit against national-level talent. Showing poise with the ball and initiating offense, Barnes consistently launched his team into scoring sets, gained valuable reps playing the one, and proved that his high-school scoring profile now comes with higher-IQ playmaking upside.
Martay Barnes shoots a free throw during a game in Italy earlier this year.
Across 10+ summer contests, Barnes averaged 14.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game—posting efficient splits while expanding his role. He shot 44.1% from the floor and 35.1% from three (46-of-131), hitting from deep with confidence, including multiple games where he splashed three or more perimeter triples.
His first-year prep roots began at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy where he averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game before transferring to Academy of Central Florida last season. Since arriving in Orlando, he helped fuel a 19-win season, crossed 1,000 career points, and broke the 1,000-career-points milestone while still a freshman and sophomore prep, emphasizing his scoring longevity.
Family Connection, Winning DNA, and a Gameday Drive
While he competes in one of the nation’s toughest prep basketball circuits, Barnes also carries a powerful family athletic pipeline. His brother, Rocket Sanders, previously starred at Arkansas before transferring to the South Carolina Gamecocks for his final college season under head coach Lamont Paris. Sanders rushed for 881 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns, later signing a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Sanders moved on from Columbia Stadium crowds to the NFL stage, but his bond with the USC Gamecocks basketball family helped open the door early for Martay’s basketball recruitment.
Martay Barnes competing in the Pangos event this past June in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Barnes himself has yet to take an official college visit, though he has already made an unofficial trip to UCF Knights and is planning official visits soon. His priorities are clear: developing as a lead guard, competing against top national programs, and playing winning basketball within The Grind Session framework.
“I’m an overall, all-around point guard. I can shoot, pass, defend and get my teammates open. And I love to win.” — Martay Barnes
Those words reflect the mindset that has propelled him into national recruiting conversations—and the same mindset that has powered so many Grind Session alumni forward.
Academy of Central Florida — Where Development Meets Exposure
Though still early in his journey, Barnes is building a platform-proof career inside Academy of Central Florida’s national basketball environment. The program prides itself on self-discipline, leadership, teamwork, competition, character-building, and community-centric growth, matching the kind of athlete Barnes is becoming on and off the court.
What We See Next
- High-arc shotmaking from three with upside to extend beyond 25 feet
- Improved offense initiation, high-IQ reads, and more time playing the one
- Elite defensive pressure leveraging length, anticipation, and competitiveness
- A recruiting process shifting into full gear with visits on the horizon
Martay Barnes is the definition of a modern prep stock-riser: athletic, polished, and position-flexible—with a fierce competitive drive and winning identity. As the Grind Session season continues, Barnes projects to be one of the most impactful guards to watch in the 2025-26 prep cycle.
