MINNESOTA, USA — Jalen Suggs made history Saturday night, securing a spot for Gonzaga in the final NCAA championship game.
Like thousands of other fans, Leroy Barnes tuned into the historic Gonzaga/UCLA basketball game.
“He made the shot and everything went numb, I was shocked,” Barnes said.
However, unlike most fans, Barnes has a special tie to the buzzer-beating superstar Jalen Suggs.
"I met him in 4th grade, we played for the same team – West Side Boosters."
Barnes and Suggs then went on to play basketball for Minnehaha Academy.
"He was a great player on and off the court and a great role model to all of the people,” Barnes said.
People on all levels are noticing Suggs.
Twitter has been buzzing about the Minnesota native.
Barnes who is a sophomore, says he hopes for the same college career one day.
"My plan is to be the next Jalen Suggs. Put on for Minnesota,” Barnes said.
As for the final championship game between Baylor and Gonzaga, Barnes stands firm in his prediction.
"I got Gonzaga all the way."
