RJ Barrett Bio
Rowan Alexander “RJ” Barrett Jr. (born June 14, 2000) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected third overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the New York Knicks after one year of college basketball with the Duke Blue Devils. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 215 pounds, Barrett plays as a guard-forward and has emerged as one of Canada’s most recognizable basketball exports.
Born in Toronto as the son of former professional basketball player Rowan Barrett, Barrett grew up immersed in the sport. He rose to national prominence at St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, before transferring to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, where he became the consensus top recruit in the 2018 class. He earned MVP honors at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, leading Canada to a gold medal and signaling his arrival on the international stage.
Early Life and Background
RJ Barrett was born on June 14, 2000, in Toronto, Ontario, to Kesha Duhaney and former professional basketball player Rowan Barrett Sr. Early in his childhood, he developed a love for basketball, playing with a mini-hoop in his playroom in France, where his father was playing professionally at the time. In the 2005–06 season, he began organized basketball in the youth program of JDA Dijon Basket. Barrett attended a French school during those years and was taught English by his mother.
His family settled in Mississauga, Ontario, in 2008, when his father left professional basketball. Barrett also explored football, the 100-meter sprint, and the high jump while growing up, but at age 12, after a frustrating basketball game, he chose to focus on basketball to avoid missing tournaments. By his early teens, he told his father he wanted to be an NBA All-Star and make the Basketball Hall of Fame. Under his father’s guidance, he emerged as one of the best under-12 players in Ontario, training with the Canada Basketball junior academy and competing for the Ontario provincial team.
Path to Basketball
Barrett began high school at St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Mississauga while competing for the Brampton Warriors AAU team. His early performances quickly drew national attention, including a 41-point game and MVP honors at the Guy Vetrie Memorial tournament in February 2015. In September 2015, one week after touring top prep schools in the United States, Barrett announced his decision to transfer to Montverde Academy in Florida.
At Montverde, Barrett developed into the nation’s top high school prospect, earning accolades such as the Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year award and leading his team to the Geico National boys’ basketball championship in 2018. Ranked as the consensus No. 1 recruit in the 2018 class, he received scholarship offers from Duke, Arizona, Kentucky, Oregon, and Michigan before committing to the Duke Blue Devils in November 2017. He joined a decorated recruiting class that included Zion Williamson and Cam Reddish.
RJ Barrett Career
Duke Blue Devils (2018–2019)
In his first regular-season game on November 6, 2018, Barrett posted 33 points and six assists against second-ranked Kentucky, breaking the Duke freshman scoring record in a debut. He went on to record his first double-double on December 5 and later notched a triple-double of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists against North Carolina State on February 17. Barrett was named a Sporting News All-American, a First-Team All-ACC selection, and ACC Rookie of the Week multiple times.
He started all 38 games as a freshman, averaging 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, and was named a consensus first-team All-American and the Jerry West Award winner as the nation’s top shooting guard. Following Duke’s elimination from the 2019 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Barrett declared for the 2019 NBA draft.
New York Knicks (2019–2023)
On June 20, 2019, the New York Knicks selected Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, earning the nickname “Maple Mamba” for his resemblance to Kobe Bryant. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals against the San Antonio Spurs. Barrett averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in his rookie year, appearing in 56 games. He was controversially left off the NBA All-Rookie Team after the season was cut short.
In his second season, Barrett made significant strides, averaging 17.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from three-point range. He helped the Knicks reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years, though they lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks. His third season saw him score a career-high 46 points against the Miami Heat on February 25, 2022, becoming the youngest Knick to average 20 points per game for a season at 21 years old. On September 1, 2022, he re-signed with the Knicks on a four-year, $120 million extension.
Toronto Raptors (2024–present)
On December 30, 2023, the Knicks traded Barrett, along with Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick, to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn. In his first game with his hometown Raptors on January 1, 2024, Barrett scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 124–121 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He later posted a season-high 37 points against the Golden State Warriors on January 7, 2024.
On November 16, 2024, Barrett recorded his first career triple-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists in an overtime loss to the Boston Celtics, showcasing his growing playmaking role with Toronto. On November 1, 2024, he recorded a season-high 33 points and 12 assists in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Barrett was named MVP of the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup after leading Canada to gold, becoming one of the youngest players ever to receive that honor. At the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, he helped Canada win its first-ever World Cup medal, a bronze, sealing the third-place game against the United States with a clutch three-pointer. In 2024, Barrett was named to Canada’s roster for the Paris Summer Olympics, continuing his family’s tradition of representing Canada on the international stage.
RJ Barrett Career Wins
Barrett’s competitive résumé includes the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup gold medal, the 2018 Geico National boys’ basketball championship at Montverde Academy, and the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup bronze medal with Canada. He is a two-time NBA Rising Star selection and was the consensus first-team All-American during his lone season at Duke.
National Team Highlights
Barrett was the youngest player on Canada’s under-16 national team that won silver at the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Championship, leading his team in scoring. At the 2016 FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain, he averaged 18.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His standout 38-point performance at the 2017 FIBA Under-19 World Cup semifinal against the United States paved the way for Canada’s gold medal triumph.
College and High School Accolades
At Montverde Academy, Barrett led his team to the 2018 Geico National championship and earned the Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year award. During his single season at Duke, he became the program’s all-time freshman scoring leader and was named First-Team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman team. He was also named the Jerry West Award winner as the nation’s best shooting guard.
RJ Barrett Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Barrett’s father, Rowan Barrett Sr., was born to Jamaican parents and raised in Toronto. He played college basketball at St. John’s before enjoying a professional career in Europe and South America. Rowan Sr. captained the Canadian national team at the 2000 Summer Olympics and later served as executive vice president and general manager of Canada Basketball. Barrett’s mother, Kesha Duhaney, is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and was a nationally ranked sprinter and long jumper for St. John’s University before working for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Personal Life
Barrett’s godfather is Steve Nash, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and former head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, who played alongside his father on the Canadian national team. Nash bought Barrett his first crib when he was a baby. Barrett can speak French fluently, though he admitted to being “a little rusty” in 2018. His brother Nathan joined the prep basketball team at Montverde Academy after RJ graduated from high school.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NBA season, Barrett continues his development with the Toronto Raptors, building on the momentum of his first career triple-double in late 2024. His expanded playmaking role, highlighted by a 15-assist performance against the Boston Celtics, has positioned him as a focal point of the Raptors’ offensive attack. The four-year, $120 million extension he signed with the Knicks in 2022 remains in effect through 2026, giving Toronto stability around his contributions.
Barrett is expected to play a key role in Canada’s continued push on the international stage following the country’s historic 2023 World Cup bronze. With a contract that runs through 2026, he represents a long-term piece of the Raptors’ young core. His blend of scoring, rebounding, and improving court vision offers Toronto a versatile building block as the franchise seeks to return to playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.