Rise to Success: Career Highlights of RJ Barrett

Discover the career path of RJ Barrett, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

RJ Barrett is a Canadian professional basketball player currently playing for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. He was drafted third overall by the New York Knicks in the 2019 NBA draft after a single season playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. Barrett is known for his scoring ability and was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1936: First medal at a major global tournament since 1936 Summer Olympics

In 2023, The Canadian team secured its first medal at a major global tournament since the 1936 Summer Olympics.

2005: Started playing organized basketball

In 2005, RJ Barrett started playing organized basketball in the youth setup of JDA Dijon Basket while living in France.

August 3, 2014: Scores 37 points at Under-15 Provincial Tournament

On August 3, 2014, RJ Barrett scored 37 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 93–53 win over Quebec at an under-15 provincial tournament.

February 2015: MVP of Guy Vetrie Memorial Tournament

In February 2015, RJ Barrett was named MVP of the Guy Vetrie Memorial tournament after scoring 41 points and making the game-winning shot for REDA in a 74–72 win over BTB Academy.

September 2015: Transferred to Montverde Academy

In September 2015, RJ Barrett transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, one week after touring top prep schools in the United States.

2015: Silver at FIBA Americas U16 Championship

In 2015, RJ Barrett, as the youngest player on the team, helped Canada's under-16 national team win silver at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Argentina, where he led the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game.

April 15, 2016: Jordan Brand Classic International Game MVP

On April 15, 2016, RJ Barrett tallied 22 points and eight rebounds at the 2016 Jordan Brand Classic International Game, earning game MVP honors.

2016: All-World Cup U17 Second Team honors

In 2016, RJ Barrett averaged 18.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game at the FIBA U17 World Cup in Spain, leading to his recognition on eurobasket.com's All-World Cup U17 Second Team.

January 16, 2017: Win against Bishop Montgomery High School at Spalding Hoophall Classic

On January 16, 2017, RJ Barrett recorded 21 points in a 73–67 win over Bishop Montgomery High School, helping his team win the Spalding Hoophall Classic.

July 2017: Leads Canada to Gold at FIBA Under-19 World Cup

In July 2017, RJ Barrett led Canada's under-19 squad to a 99–87 semifinal win over the US with a 38-point, 13-rebound, and five-assist performance at the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup. He subsequently led Canada to the title, and was named tournament MVP.

August 16, 2017: Narrowed down school choices to five

On August 16, 2017, RJ Barrett narrowed down his school choices to five: Duke, Arizona, Oregon, Kentucky, and Michigan.

November 10, 2017: Announced commitment to Duke

On November 10, 2017, RJ Barrett announced that he would be attending Duke for the 2018–2019 season.

November 28, 2017: Leads Montverde in season opener

On November 28, 2017, RJ Barrett led Montverde, with 29 points in a 97–55 win over The Rock School.

2017: MVP at FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup

In 2017, RJ Barrett was named MVP at the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup after leading the Canadian national under-19 team to a gold medal.

January 11, 2018: Scores 24 points against Orlando Christian Prep

On January 11, 2018, RJ Barrett scored 24 points in a nationally televised match-up with Orlando Christian Prep.

June 2018: Debut on Canada's senior men's national team

In June 2018, RJ Barrett debuted on Canada's senior men's national team, contributing 16 points in a 97–62 victory over China.

December 3, 2018: Named ACC Rookie of the Week

On December 3, 2018, RJ Barrett was named Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rookie of the week.

December 10, 2018: Earned ACC Player and Freshman of the Week

On December 10, 2018, RJ Barrett earned ACC player and freshman of the week honors for the second time.

2018: Named MVP at Nike Hoop Summit

In 2018, RJ Barrett scored a game-high 20 points and was named MVP at the Nike Hoop Summit.

January 28, 2019: Earned his third ACC Freshman of the Week honor

On January 28, 2019, Barrett earned his third ACC freshman of the week honor.

February 25, 2019: Named ACC freshman of the week for the fourth consecutive time

On February 25, 2019, RJ Barrett was again named ACC freshman of the week for the fourth consecutive time.

June 20, 2019: Drafted by the New York Knicks

On June 20, 2019, RJ Barrett was drafted by the New York Knicks with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

October 23, 2019: NBA Debut

On October 23, 2019, RJ Barrett made his debut in the NBA, starting in a 111–120 loss to the San Antonio Spurs with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

2019: FIBA World Cup Qualification Debut

In 2019, RJ Barrett debuted for the senior Canadian national team during qualification for the FIBA World Cup.

2019: NBA draft and New York Knicks Selection

In 2019, RJ Barrett was selected as the third overall pick in the NBA draft by the New York Knicks after playing college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.

December 21, 2020: Knicks exercise third-year option on RJ Barrett

On December 21, 2020, the New York Knicks announced they exercised their third-year option on RJ Barrett, showing confidence in his continued development with the team.

January 6, 2022: Game-winning shot against Boston Celtics

On January 6, 2022, RJ Barrett secured a 108–105 victory for the Knicks against the Boston Celtics with a contested game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, after the Knicks trailed by as much as 25 points.

May 24, 2022: Commits to Canadian national team

On May 24, 2022, RJ Barrett made a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.

September 1, 2022: RJ Barrett re-signs with the Knicks

On September 1, 2022, RJ Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the New York Knicks, becoming the first player since Charlie Ward in 1999 to agree to a multiyear extension after a rookie deal with the Knicks.

December 30, 2023: Traded to the Toronto Raptors

On December 30, 2023, RJ Barrett, along with Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick, was traded by the New York Knicks to his hometown Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn.

2023: Qualified to the Quarter-Finals of FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2023, the Canadian team, including RJ Barrett, qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, securing a spot at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

January 1, 2024: Debut with the Toronto Raptors

On January 1, 2024, RJ Barrett made his debut with the Toronto Raptors, putting up 19 points and nine rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field goal in a 124–121 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

January 7, 2024: Season-high 37 points

On January 7, 2024, RJ Barrett scored a season-high 37 points on 13 of 20 shooting, along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists in a 133–118 win over the Golden State Warriors.

November 1, 2024: Season-high 33 points and career-high 12 assists

On November 1, 2024, RJ Barrett recorded a season-high 33 points and achieved a then career-high 12 assists in a 131–125 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.

2024: Named to Canada's roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics

In 2024, RJ Barrett was named to Canada's roster for the Summer Olympics in Paris.

2024: Berth at the 2024 Summer Olympics

The Canadian team secured a berth at the 2024 Summer Olympics on September 3, 2023. Barrett played a crucial role in the victory and won the bronze medal over the United States in the third-place game.