1. Early Life and Amateur Career
RJ Barrett's early life and amateur basketball career laid the foundation for his future professional success, encompassing his upbringing in various countries due to his father's career, his developing passion for basketball, and his impactful high school and college careers that garnered significant attention and accolades.
1.1. Birth and Upbringing
Rowan Alexander "RJ" Barrett Jr. was born on June 14, 2000, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His parents are Kesha Duhaney and former professional basketball player Rowan Barrett. In his early childhood, Barrett lived in a number of countries, including France, due to his father's professional basketball career. During this time, he developed an interest in basketball, playing with a mini-hoop in his playroom in France. While residing in France, Barrett attended a French school and was taught English by his mother. He frequently participated in "shootarounds" after his father's games and practices, and also played basketball with peers through the clubs his father was a part of. In 2008, his family settled in Mississauga, Ontario, after his father concluded his professional basketball career. For grades seven and eight, Barrett attended École Secondaire Jeunes Sans FrontièresSchool for Youth Without BordersFrench, a French language school in Brampton.
1.2. Youth Basketball Activities
Growing up, Barrett was involved in various sports, including football, 100 metres sprinting, and the high jump. At the age of 12, after a particularly challenging basketball game that left him in tears, Barrett decided to focus exclusively on basketball to avoid missing tournaments. It was at this age that he expressed his aspiration to become an NBA All-Star and be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He occasionally trained with his godfather and father's friend, Steve Nash.
Under the guidance of his father, Barrett quickly emerged as one of the top under-12 basketball players in Ontario. He attended Horizon Jeunesse in Clarkson, Mississauga, where he led his school team to a city title for Mississauga French elementary schools, earning MVP honors despite playing against older opponents. Barrett also competed in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit for the Regional Elite Development Academy (REDA) under-12 program, frequently facing teams from the United States. By age 12, the Ontario Basketball Association identified him as one of the best players in his age group, leading to training with the Canada Basketball junior academy and participation with the Ontario provincial team. By age 15, he primarily played the point guard position. On August 3, 2014, in an under-15 provincial tournament, he scored 37 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 93-53 victory over Quebec.
1.3. High School Career
RJ Barrett's high school basketball career saw him rapidly rise through the ranks, first at St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Canada, then at the prestigious Montverde Academy in the United States, where he consistently demonstrated elite talent and leadership, culminating in national championships and numerous individual honors.
1.3.1. St. Marcellinus Secondary School
Barrett began his high school career at St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, while simultaneously playing for the Brampton Warriors AAU team through the REDA. Early in his freshman year, on October 9, 2014, after a 27-point performance against Bill Crothers Secondary School, Canadian recruiting website North Pole Hoops described him as "special," highlighting his exceptional talent even at that early stage. In February 2015, Barrett was named MVP of the Guy Vetrie Memorial tournament after leading REDA to a 74-72 victory over BTB Academy with a 41-point effort and a game-winning shot. In April, he was invited to the Region of Peel Secondary Schools Athletic Association (ROPSSAA) all-star game, where he was recognized as the top prospect in the ROPSSAA. In the same month, Barrett scored a game-high 25 points in the Futures Game at the BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game, an event featuring top grade 9 and 10 players from across Canada.
1.3.2. Montverde Academy
In September 2015, Barrett decided to leave St. Marcellinus and transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, a school renowned for its basketball program. He made this move to "take his game to another level," though he described the transition as "rough."
During his **freshman year (2015-16)**, Barrett quickly made an impact. On December 7, he contributed a team-high 18 points in a nationally televised game against Huntington Prep School. On December 21, he exploded for 31 points in a loss to Chino Hills High School at the City of Palms Classic quarterfinal. On April 15, 2016, he recorded 22 points and eight rebounds at the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic International Game, earning game MVP honors. By the end of the season, after leading Montverde Academy in scoring, Barrett was named to the MaxPreps Freshman All-American First Team.
In his **sophomore year (2016-17)**, Barrett continued to excel. He was named to the USA Today High School Sports All-USA Preseason Team and the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award watch list. In December, he led Montverde to a City of Palms Classic title, scoring a team-best 15 points in the finals against Memphis East High School and earning tournament MVP honors. On January 16, 2017, he scored 21 points in a 73-67 win over Bishop Montgomery High School, helping his team win the Spalding Hoophall Classic. In February, Barrett received MVP accolades at Basketball Without Borders, a three-day camp held during NBA All-Star Weekend. He joined the World Select Team at the 2017 Nike Hoop Summit in April, posting nine points and two steals in 20 minutes. Barrett finished the season averaging 22 points and 7 rebounds per game, earning the title of National Sophomore of the Year from MaxPreps and making the Naismith All-American Third Team.
For his **junior year (2017-18)**, Barrett reclassified to the 2018 class, stating he was "ready to move up and to be in college a year earlier." He was again named to the USA Today High School Sports All-USA Preseason Team. In his season opener on November 28, 2017, Barrett led Montverde, then ranked the No. 1 team in the nation by MaxPreps, with 29 points in a 97-55 win over The Rock School. On January 11, 2018, he scored 24 points in a nationally televised match-up with Orlando Christian Prep. Barrett posted 22 points and 10 rebounds on January 15 to defeat Mater Dei High School at the Spalding Hoophall Classic. On March 23, he participated in the Signature All-Canadian Showcase, featuring 24 top Canadian prospects. Later that month, Barrett took part in the 2018 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, where he scored 26 points.
In March 2018, Barrett was awarded the prestigious Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year award, which recognizes "outstanding character, leadership and embodying the values of a student athlete." He demonstrated these qualities through his involvement in Montverde Academy's Basketball Buddies Program, where he mentored young basketball athletes on skill development and academic management. In the 2017-18 season, he led the undefeated Montverde team to the Geico National boys' basketball championship, recording 25 points and 15 rebounds in the championship game. Barrett scored a game-high 20 points, along with nine rebounds, six assists, and five steals at the 2018 Nike Hoop Summit, earning MVP honors.
1.4. College Recruitment
While attending St. Marcellinus Secondary School, RJ Barrett was identified as the top Canadian prospect in the 2019 class. After his reclassification to the 2018 class, he was rated as a five-star recruit and consistently ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2018 by major recruiting services like ESPN and Rivals.com.
Barrett received scholarship offers from numerous prominent universities, including Arizona, Duke, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, UCLA, and USC. Roy Rana, who coached Barrett at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and the Nike Hoop Summit, described him as "A star. A potential superstar down the road."
On August 16, 2017, Barrett narrowed his choices to five schools: Duke, Arizona, Oregon, Kentucky, and Michigan. He ultimately announced his commitment to Duke University on November 10, 2017, for the 2018-2019 season. Reflecting on his decision, Barrett stated, "It feels like home. And obviously they have a great coach... I love Coach K. I've been watching Duke since I was really young."
1.5. College Career
RJ Barrett played one season of collegiate basketball for the Duke Blue Devils in 2018-19. In his regular season debut on November 6, he posted 33 points and six assists against second-ranked Kentucky at the Champions Classic, setting a new Duke freshman scoring record in a debut game.
Throughout his single season, Barrett earned multiple weekly and seasonal honors. He was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rookie of the week on December 3, 2018. He achieved his first double-double on December 5, with 27 points and 15 rebounds against Hartford. On December 10, 2018, Barrett received ACC player and freshman of the week honors for the second time. He earned his third ACC freshman of the week honor on January 28, 2019, and his fourth consecutive on February 25, 2019.
On February 9, Barrett scored 26 points in an 81-71 victory against Virginia. A highlight of his college career came on February 17, when he recorded 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 94-78 win over North Carolina State, marking the fourth triple-double in Duke history (and the second under Mike Krzyzewski's tenure as head coach).
At the conclusion of Duke's regular season, Barrett was named a member of the Sporting News' All-American First Team, the ACC All-Freshman team, and the All-ACC First Team, alongside his teammate Zion Williamson. He also received the Jerry West Award in 2019. He was also recognized as USA Today's Player of the Year.
In the 2019 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, on March 22, Barrett led the team with 26 points and 14 rebounds in an 85-62 victory over No. 16 North Dakota State. As a freshman, he played in all 38 games, starting each, and averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per contest. Following Duke's elimination from the NCAA Tournament, Barrett announced his decision to forgo his remaining three seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2019 NBA draft.
2. Professional Career
RJ Barrett's professional basketball career began with his selection in the 2019 NBA Draft, leading to a significant tenure with the New York Knicks before being traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he continues to demonstrate his talent and impact.
2.1. New York Knicks (2019-2023)
Barrett's tenure with the New York Knicks saw him develop into a key player, demonstrating consistent improvement in his scoring efficiency and overall game, and contributing to the team's return to the playoffs.
2.1.1. 2019-20 Season
On June 20, 2019, the New York Knicks selected RJ Barrett as the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He was given the nickname "Maple Mamba" due to his playing style's resemblance to that of Kobe Bryant. Barrett officially signed with the Knicks on July 3.
He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, starting in a 111-120 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, where he contributed 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. On December 17, Barrett scored a then-career-high 27 points, along with six rebounds, an assist, and a steal, in a 143-120 win over the Atlanta Hawks. On January 16, 2020, he sustained a sprained right ankle during a game against the Phoenix Suns, which resulted in him missing nine games. On March 2, Barrett tied his career-high with 27 points, including a crucial layup near the end of the game, in a 125-123 victory over the Houston Rockets, also adding five rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Barrett concluded his rookie season having played in 56 games, starting 55 of them, and averaging 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 30.4 minutes per game. Despite his solid performance, his exclusion from an NBA All-Rookie Team after the premature end of the regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic was considered controversial.
2.1.2. 2020-21 Season
On December 21, 2020, the Knicks exercised their third-year contract option on Barrett. He continued to show significant improvement in his second season. On January 21, Barrett scored a then-career-high 28 points, alongside five assists and two rebounds, in a 119-104 win over the Golden State Warriors. On March 13, he set another career-high with 32 points, adding five rebounds and three assists, in a 119-97 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Barrett made substantial progress in his second year, finishing the season with averages of 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. His shooting efficiency also saw a notable increase, as he shot 40.1% from the three-point line and 74.6% from the free throw line. He started in all 72 games during the season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, playing 34.9 minutes per game. The Knicks qualified for the playoffs for the first time in eight years, securing home court advantage in the first round. However, they were eventually defeated 4-1 by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
2.1.3. 2021-22 Season
The 2021-22 season saw Barrett continue to achieve significant personal milestones. On January 6, 2022, he recorded 13 points and six assists, capping the night with a contested game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, securing a 108-105 victory for the Knicks over the Boston Celtics, a game in which New York had trailed by as much as 25 points. From December 12, 2021, he missed six games due to COVID-19 safety protocols, alongside Obi Toppin. On February 8, 2022, he suffered a left ankle sprain late in a game against the Denver Nuggets, subsequently missing four games.
On January 10, he scored 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs, followed by 32 points on January 12 against the Dallas Mavericks. This made Barrett the youngest Knick player at 21 years old to achieve consecutive games with at least 30 points, setting a new franchise record. He also became only the eighth NBA player to accumulate 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 300 assists by the age of 21, joining an elite group that includes Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and Luka Dončić. On February 6, he set a then-career-high with 36 points, along with eight rebounds and five assists, in a 122-115 overtime loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. On February 25, Barrett further elevated his career high, scoring 46 points in a 115-100 loss to the Miami Heat.
By the end of the season, Barrett became the seventh player in NBA history to record over 3,400 points, 1,100 rebounds, and 550 assists before turning 22 years old, joining the likes of Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Luka Dončić. He also became the youngest Knicks player to average 20 points per game for a season at 21 years old.
2.1.4. 2022-23 Season
On September 1, 2022, Barrett re-signed with the Knicks on a four-year contract worth 120.00 M USD. This made him the first player to agree to a multiyear extension after a rookie deal with the Knicks since Charlie Ward in 1999. He continued to be a key contributor for the Knicks throughout this season.
2.2. Toronto Raptors (2023-present)
On December 30, 2023, Barrett was traded, along with Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick, from the Knicks to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn. This move marked Barrett's return to his hometown.
In his first game with the Raptors on January 1, 2024, Barrett made an immediate impact, putting up 19 points and nine rebounds on 50% shooting from the field in a 124-121 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Following the trade, Zach Lowe of ESPN reported that some NBA insiders had controversially labeled Barrett's contract as a "toxic asset." On January 7, 2024, Barrett scored a season-high 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting, along with six rebounds and six assists, in a 133-118 win over the Golden State Warriors. On November 1, 2024, Barrett recorded a season-high 33 points and a then-career-high 12 assists in a 131-125 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. On November 16, Barrett achieved his first career triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and a new career-high of 15 assists in a 126-123 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics.
3. National Team Career
RJ Barrett has had a distinguished career representing Canada at various levels of international basketball, contributing to significant milestones for the national program.
He was the youngest player on Canada's under-16 national team that secured a silver medal at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Argentina, where he led his team in scoring with an average of 14.6 points per contest. At the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Spain, he averaged 18.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, earning a spot on eurobasket.com's All-World Cup U17 Second Team.
In July 2017, Barrett gained international recognition for his dominant performance at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup. In a historic semifinal win against the United States, he delivered an impressive 38 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists, guiding Canada's under-19 squad to a 99-87 victory. Northpolehoops.com described this as Barrett's "biggest game of his career so far." He subsequently led Canada to the tournament title, recording game-highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game against Italy. For his exceptional play, he was named to the tournament's All-Star Five and also received the FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP award. With an average of 21.6 points per game, he was also the leading scorer of the tournament.
In June 2018, Barrett made his debut with Canada's senior men's national team, scoring 16 points in a 97-62 win over China. On May 24, 2022, Barrett committed to a three-year agreement to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.
On September 3, 2023, Barrett and the Canadian national team qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, securing a berth at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Barrett played a crucial role in securing the bronze medal over the United States in the third-place game, outplaying his Knicks teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart with 23 points on 50% shooting from the field. He combined with Dillon Brooks (39 points) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points) for a total of 93 points in that game. This marked Canada's first-ever World Cup medal and its first medal at a major global tournament since the 1936 Summer Olympics. Barrett was subsequently named to Canada's roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
4. Playing Style and Evaluation
RJ Barrett primarily plays as a shooting guard or small forward. His playing style is characterized by his ability to handle the ball, drive to the basket with aggression, and contribute significantly to scoring. He is known for his toughness and competitiveness on the court. Analysts have noted his versatility on offense, capable of attacking from multiple angles. Defensively, he is not afraid to guard the opposing team's best player, a quality highly valued by coaches. Throughout his career, Barrett has demonstrated consistent development, particularly in his shooting efficiency, which improved significantly during his second NBA season. Despite initial assessments labeling his contract as a "toxic asset" after his trade to the Raptors, his immediate impact and improved statistical performance have shown his value. His progression has allowed him to achieve historical milestones, joining elite company for various statistical achievements at a young age.
5. Personal Life
Barrett stands 78 in (198 cm) and weighs 214 lb (97 kg). He has a shoe endorsement deal with Puma. His father, Rowan Barrett, was born to Jamaican parents and raised in Toronto. He played college basketball for St. John's University before embarking on a professional career in Europe and South America. Rowan Sr. was a long-time member of the Canadian men's national basketball team, serving as its captain at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He later became the executive vice president and general manager of Canada Basketball.
Barrett's godfather is Steve Nash, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and former head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. Nash played with Rowan Sr. on the Canadian national team. Rowan Sr. and Nash, who is two years his junior, became close friends while playing for the under-19 national team. Nash even bought RJ his first crib when he was a baby.
Barrett's mother, Kesha Duhaney, is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She was a nationally ranked sprinter and long jumper for St. John's University before working for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Barrett's parents met while attending St. John's. His maternal aunt, Dahlia Duhaney, was a member of the Jamaica team that won a gold medal in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1991 IAAF World Championships. On his mother's side, his grandparents competed in track and field for the Jamaica national team, and his uncle played football for the University of Maryland.
Barrett is fluent in French, though he admitted in 2018 that he was "a little rusty." After Barrett graduated from high school, his younger brother, Nathan, who was about four years his junior, joined the prep basketball team at Montverde Academy. Tragically, Nathan passed away in March 2024 at the age of 19.
6. Career Statistics
6.1. NBA
6.1.1. Regular Season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | New York | 56 | 55 | 30.4 | .402 | .320 | .614 | 5.0 | 2.6 | 1.0 | .3 | 14.3 |
| 2020-21 | New York | 72* | 72* | 34.9 | .441 | .401 | .746 | 5.8 | 3.0 | .7 | .3 | 17.6 |
| 2021-22 | New York | 70 | 70 | 34.5 | .408 | .342 | .714 | 5.8 | 3.0 | .6 | .2 | 20.0 |
| 2022-23 | New York | 73 | 73 | 33.9 | .434 | .310 | .740 | 5.0 | 2.8 | .4 | .2 | 19.6 |
| 2023-24 | New York | 26 | 26 | 29.5 | .423 | .331 | .831 | 4.3 | 2.4 | .5 | .3 | 18.2 |
| 2023-24 | Toronto | 32 | 32 | 33.5 | .553 | .392 | .629 | 6.4 | 4.1 | .6 | .4 | 21.8 |
| Career | 329 | 328 | 33.3 | .435 | .346 | .710 | 5.4 | 2.9 | .6 | .3 | 18.4 |
- The 2020-21 NBA season was shortened to 72 games.
6.1.2. Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | New York | 5 | 5 | 32.3 | .388 | .286 | .800 | 7.2 | 3.0 | .8 | .4 | 14.4 |
| 2023 | New York | 11 | 11 | 34.3 | .433 | .328 | .769 | 4.5 | 2.8 | .8 | .2 | 19.3 |
| Career | 16 | 16 | 33.7 | .420 | .315 | .775 | 5.9 | 2.9 | .8 | .3 | 17.8 |
6.2. College
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | Duke | 38 | 38 | 35.3 | .454 | .308 | .665 | 7.6 | 4.3 | .9 | .4 | 22.6 |