Harrison Barnes, the most heavily recruited high school basketball talent in Iowa history, announced Friday that he will play at North Carolina.

Barnes signed his letter of intent in the Ames High School gymnasium, in front of family, friends and fans.

The son of Ronnie Harris, who played at Iowa State under Johnny Orr, and Shirley Barnes, who works in the music department at Iowa State, Harrison first played competitive basketball as a third-grader in an Ames Park and Recreation League.

"I knew he was gifted in many ways," Shirley said.