Born in Oakley, Michigan, Barnes graduated from Saginaw High School in 1975 and Albion College in 1979.
At Albion, Barnes played basketball for four seasons and led Albion to the 1978 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title and third place in the 1978 NCAA Division III tournament.
[3] He later became head coach of Albion High School, where he compiled a 65–11 record from 1988 to 1991, including a 26–1 record and a Class B state championship game appearance in his final season.
[3] Also, he is the former head coach of Eastern Michigan University and of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters.
[6] Barnes and his wife Lyn have three children; sons Andre and Milton Jr. and a daughter Alexis.