Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Star Looks to One-Up Father's Olympic Feat

RJ Barrett will be the first of three Duke basketball talents to compete in Paris this weekend.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball guard RJ Barrett and forward Zion Williamson
Duke basketball guard RJ Barrett and forward Zion Williamson / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
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RJ Barrett isn't the first Rowan Barrett to represent Canada at the Olympics. The 2018-19 Duke basketball one-and-done's father, Rowan Barrett Sr., who played for St. John's in the mid-1990s prior to his long professional career overseas, took home silver with Team Canada at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

"I don’t think everyone realizes my long connection with Canada Basketball," the 24-year-old Toronto native, who averaged 21.2 points per game as a backcourt starter for the Toronto Raptors last season after getting traded from the New York Knicks in late December, told Forbes' Esfandiar Baraheni this week while gearing up for his Olympic debut. "My dad played on this team...So, I know the history.

"There's been some great players who have worn this jersey before us. People can call it the 'Golden Age,' but that only comes true if we win a gold medal."

Barrett is one of three Duke basketball faces set to take the court at the Paris Olympics. Each is representing a different country, as reigning NBA champion and 2016-17 Duke basketball one-and-done Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is on Team USA while Blue Devil freshman center Khaman Maluach is taking the court for his home country, South Sudan, in its Olympic debut.

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Canada, competing in Group A, will be the first of those three countries to play in Paris. Barrett and his squad square off against Greece at 3 p.m. ET Saturday.

Team USA and South Sudan are both in Group C. They meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday. First, though, Maluach and South Sudan face Puerto Rico at 5 a.m. Sunday before Tatum and the Americans battle Serbia at 11:15 a.m.

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Matt Giles

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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