Chris Beard shares plans for Cameron Barnes to redshirt in 2023-24

Chris Beard has put together a big, new roster for his first season at the helm at Ole Miss. However, before the season even tips off, it sounds like one member of that group, freshman C Cameron Barnes, won’t be seeing the court in ’23-’24.

Beard addressed the fact that Barnes didn’t play in the Rebel’s 41-point exhibition win over Tusculum on Monday night early in his postgame press conference. While they have high hopes for him in Oxford, he did share the program’s expectation that a redshirt is likely in his future.

“I think the plan, as of right now? Things could change. Cam is going to be a special player down the line,” said Beard. “It looks like a redshirt might be his possibility this year.”

Barnes comes to Ole Miss from Duncanville, Texas after he committed to join Beard’s first team back in May.

Barnes was a three-star prospect there according to On3’s Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 182 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, the second-highest commitment in the Rebel’s class. He also finished as the No. 25 center in the class and a Top-20 player in the state.

Ole Miss’ depth in the frontcourt may have also played a role in this decision. All three of the program’s freshmen, including Barnes, are 6’8 or taller and would at least play forward. That’s before you even mention the offseason additions of 7’0 Moussa Cisse and 7’5 Jamarion Sharp out of the transfer portal or the return of Jaemyn Brakefield.

As Beard said, the Rebels have every expectation that Barnes will be a player for them in the future. In the present, though, it sounds as though he’ll be sitting this season out while maintaining the year of eligibility.

Beard has ‘the highest’ first-year expectations at Ole Miss

After luring a big-name head coach, getting back some key returners, and recruiting a terrific transfer haul, Ole Miss basketball is on track to compete in the SEC in 2023-24.

That’s at least the narrative that Chris Beard pushed during SEC Media Day. When asked by the SEC Network crew about what sort of expectations he has in his first season with the Rebels, Beard had no hesitation before answering:

“The highest – period.”

Beard went on to explain that he’s not orchestrating a slow launch with Ole Miss. He’s coming to town after making the NCAA Tournament in each of his last five seasons as a collegiate head coach. His expectation is making a tournament push.

“I mean, it’s easy to sit up here and talk about it – it’s difficult to do. We came to Oxford, Mississippi to win and we’re not apologizing for that. Expectations are everything. So we know it’s going to be a battle, we know it’s going to be a journey. But it all starts with a vision and expectations to be competitive. So I’m not one of these guys with a first year where we’re putting asterisks on there.”