Four-Star Recruit Martay Barnes Chooses FSU Over Auburn

Luke Loucks lands a big recruiting win for the Seminoles' 2026 class.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Florida State head basketball coach Luke Loucks secured a major recruiting victory on Thursday as four-star shooting guard Martay Barnes committed to the Seminoles over Auburn. Barnes, who reclassified from the 2027 to 2026 class, took official visits to both schools before deciding to stay in-state and play for Loucks' up-tempo offense.

Why it matters

Winning recruiting battles against SEC programs like Auburn is crucial for Florida State as they look to build a contender in the ACC. Barnes' commitment is a testament to the work Loucks has done in quickly establishing FSU as an attractive destination for top high school talent.

The details

Barnes, a highly touted 2026 prospect, took official visits to both Florida State and Auburn in recent weeks. While he was seen interacting with Miami players after an FSU game, leading some to speculate he could end up elsewhere, the lure of Loucks' NBA-style offense and the chance to stay in-state ultimately convinced him to join the Seminoles.

  • Barnes announced his commitment on February 26, 2026.
  • He took an official visit to Auburn the weekend prior.

The players

Martay Barnes

A four-star shooting guard who reclassified from the 2027 to 2026 recruiting class.

Luke Loucks

The head basketball coach at Florida State University.

Bruce Pearl

The former head coach of the Auburn men's basketball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Gods plan 🙏🏽 #Committed”

— Martay Barnes (Twitter)

What’s next

Barnes' commitment gives Florida State a major boost to its 2026 recruiting class as they look to build on a strong second half of the season and compete for an ACC title.

The takeaway

Securing a commitment from a highly touted in-state prospect like Martay Barnes over an SEC program like Auburn is a significant recruiting win for Luke Loucks and the Florida State basketball program, highlighting their ability to attract top talent to Tallahassee.