Doug McDermott is making a name for himself at No. 19 Creighton.

Before he showed up in Omaha last year, McDermott was the wingman for superstar Harrison Barnes at Ames High School in Iowa.

McDermott is receiving mention as a candidate for national
player of the year while leading the 16-2 Bluejays to a share of
the Missouri Valley Conference lead.

McDermott's 24.3-point average is second nationally to Damian
Lillard's 25.5 for Weber State. No sophomore in the nation has
scored more points so early in his career.

Barnes is the leading scorer for No. 8 North Carolina. He said he texts McDermott and watches his highlights on TV.

Athletic director Bruce Rasmussen says McDermott already is among the school's most popular players ever.