6-7 - 229
Citrus Heights, CA
Del Campo HS

UCLA - One of the nation's top high school two-sport (basketball/football) athletes, Barnes is one of UCLA's five new incoming freshmen ... A member of the Bruins' 1998 recruiting class that was rated No. 1 in the nation ... In basketball, Barnes is a leaper and shot blocker and in football last season as a senior wide receiver/tight end, he led the nation in touchdown receptions ... Played only half the basketball season in 1997-98 because of bone spurs in his left foot ... Underwent off-season surgery and will be ready for fall camp ... Selected UCLA over California, USC and Fresno State.

High School - Two-sport standout performer at Del Campo HS in Sacramento, CA, playing football for Steve Kenyon and basketball for Scott Evans ... During his prep basketball career, Barnes set the State record for blocked shots in a game with 21 ... In basketball last year as a senior, Barnes averaged 30 points, 10 rebounds, six blocked shots, five steals and three assists a game before missing half the season with a foot injury ... Entering his senior year in basketball, Barnes was a first-team Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West selection (joining Bruin freshman teammate Ray Young) and a Street & Smith's high honorable mention All-American ... Also in the summer of '97, Barnes' club team traveled to Paris, placed second and he was named the tournament's MVP ... As a junior in '97, he averaged 26.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.8 blocked shots, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals ... His four-year varsity career prep basketball honors included All-American, All-State, All-CIF, All-City and All-League ... In 1997 in basketball Barnes was the runner-up for Nor Cal Player of the Year and was the Sacramento Player of the Year ... In football as a senior in the fall '97, Barnes had 58 receptions for 1,112 yards and led the nation with 28 touchdown catches ... As a junior, he had 42 catches for 958 yards and 17 touchdown receptions ... His career high school football honors included All-American, All- State, All-CIF, All-City and All-League.

Personal - Full name: Matt Kelly Barnes ... Right-handed ... Born March 9, 1980 in Santa Clara, CA ... Parents: Henry and Ann Barnes ... One brother and sister ... Signed with the Bruins "because of UCLA's history in basketball, it was a boyhood dream" ... Admires Detroit Piston Grant Hill ... Participated in student government at Del Campo HS ... Undeclared major with an academic interest in communications studies.