Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Pro RJ Barrett Draws Loud Welcome From Hometown Crowd

Former Duke basketball star RJ Barrett enjoyed a winning debut with the Raptors.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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On Monday night, 2018-19 Duke basketball guard RJ Barrett played his first game for the Toronto Raptors (13-20) since getting traded from the New York Knicks, the franchise that drafted him No. 3 overall. The Toronto native helped the Raptors post an encouraging 124-121 home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (18-15).

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As one can see in the posted video below, the 23-year-old Barrett, receiving the starting nod at the two-spot over the team's other former one-and-done Blue Devil guard in 24-year-old Gary Trent Jr., is an instant fan-favorite in his hometown:

And as Barrett noted to the media earlier this week, he grew up a Raptors fan.

Thus far, the former top-ranked recruit and his new squad look like a perfect match.

In his 29 minutes on the floor, Barrett flirted with a double-double debut. He finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and one assist, albeit with five turnovers and five fouls, while shooting 6-for-12 from the field, 1-for-2 from deep, and 6-for-8 at the line.

Trent tallied nine points, six boards, two dimes, and one steal across his 26 minutes off the bench.

RJ Barrett's arrival in Toronto was just in time for the warm welcome. After all, the Raptors and their pair of NBA Blue Devils now face a six-game road trip, beginning with a matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies (10-22) at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday.

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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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