Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

NBA

All eyes on me: Duke’s R.J. Barrett declares for the NBA Draft

R.J. Barrett, the most-hyped Canadian recruit since Andrew Wiggins, has declared for the 2019 NBA Draft.

All Eyes On Me Dukes R J Barrett Declares For The Nba Draft
All Eyes On Me Dukes R J Barrett Declares For The Nba Draft

R.J. Barrett looked into the camera with a placid, droopy-eyed stare and told Duke fans what they already knew.

The most-hyped Canadian recruit since Andrew Wiggins — and perhaps the most-hyped Canadian college player of all time — is entering the 2019 NBA Draft.

“I’ll always be a part of the (Duke) brotherhood, and I hold that very near and dear to heart,” he said in a video posted to Twitter this morning.

“Looking forward to coming back and supporting the Blue Devils any way I can. Just wanted to thank you for everything.”

This was, of course, a foregone conclusion.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Barrett put up gaudy stats as a Duke freshman and is a projected top-three pick in the Draft. No one expected him to pass that up.

He will go down as an ACC champion, as an effective scorer, and as part of the ballast that kept Duke afloat when teammate Zion Williamson was out with injuries.

As he stared into that camera and thanked the Duke community, highlights from his freshman campaign flashed across the screen.

So many dunks. So many celebrations. So much fist-pumping and cheerleading.

Canadian Basketball Player Rj Barrett Against Michigan State Declares For 2019 NBA Draft
R.J. Barrett against Michigan State Final Four – Photo: Duke Athletics

Barrett will be remembered for this, but also for missing a key free throw down the stretch in an Elite 8 loss to Michigan State.

He will be remembered for trying to miss his second free throw in that stretch and watching it clank high off the rim and through the twine.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Duke lost by a single point.

It was a gut-wrenching finale for a superteam expected to contend for an NCAA championship.

“Sure, it sucks,” Barrett told TSN’s Matthew Scianitti in a media scrum after the loss.

“I had a chance to tie the game and I didn’t.”

He acknowledged the loss was no single person’s fault. All year, they had won as a team and they lost as a team.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Rj Barrett Drills Three Pointer Duke March Madness
R.J. Barrett drills three-pointer during March Madness – Photo – Duke Athletics

“I came here, I gave everything I could for the team,” Barrett said. “We were able to have so much success.”

Remember that Barrett is just 18 years old. His birthday is four days before the Draft. He is barely a man, but his maturity speaks volumes.

His boring, measured, hockey-guy responses in media interviews carry an implied message: He’s here to play basketball, to win, to show out.

Nothing else matters.

And, of course, this is only the beginning.

Rj Barrett Reverse Slam Duke Blue Devils Nba Draft
R.J. Barrett throws down reverse slam – Photo – Duke Athletics

Barrett enters the draft with what seems like a level head, and with the knowledge some Canadian NBA players have struggled to live up to their potential.

He has seen Wiggins become a solid pro, but not an Alpha dog. He is aware of how the basketball world sees Anthony Bennett, who went from No. 1 pick to the G League in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Barrett’s success, or lack of it, will go a long way to determining how Canadian players are perceived in the next half-decade.

It isn’t fair, not by a long shot. But early indications are — pardon the pun — that Barrett can bear it.

“It was amazing to play for Coach K, play for the brotherhood,” he said in that video posted to Twitter.

“It was a dream of mine to play at Duke, ever since I was a young kid. It’s also a dream of mine to play in the NBA and have great success there.”

He’ll get his chance, and we — along with the rest of the basketball world — will be watching.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Advertisement

BUZZING

NBA

Continuing their legacy of big men, the Memphis Grizzlies grabbed two-time NCAA player of the year Zach Edey at #9 in the 2024 NBA...

NCAA

21 Canadians secure spots in the 2024 NCAA March Madness tournament, highlighting their impact on college basketball's grand stage.

NBA

A banner NCAA college basketball season is set to translate into multiple lottery picks for Canada, as a record 13 early entry underclassmen Canadian...

NBA

The San Antonio Spurs surprised everybody and selected Canadian guard Joshua Primo, the youngest player in the 2021 NBA Draft.

NBA

A total of nine (9) Canadians have declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. Packed with photos, videos, stats and analysis, we take a deep...

NCAA

A record one-hundred and sixty-one (161) Canadians have invaded NCAA college basketball. Analyze and breakdown the most complete list of Canadians in the 2020-21...

NBA

Canada's top NCAA college basketball standout and sharpshooter Nate Darling signs two-way contract with NBA's Charlotte Hornets.

NCAA

Andrew Nembhard has hired an NCAA-certified agent and can still return for his junior season.

BasketballBuzz - Canada's Basketball Magazine