Blue Devil Country

Two Duke Basketball Talents Take Part in Earning Raptors Pizza Party

Duke basketball one-and-done guards RJ Barrett and Gary Trent Jr. are heating up as first-year teammates.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Months ago, first-year Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic offered an incentive for his rebuild-mode squad to win three a row: a nice dinner together on his dime. His guys said pizza would suffice. And on Monday night, former Duke basketball players RJ Barrett and Gary Trent Jr. helped ensure the party happens.

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Each drew a starting nod and tallied double-digit points in Toronto's 130-122 victory at the Indiana Pacers (33-26), completing the Raptors' first three-game winning streak this season.

Barrett, who got drafted No. 3 in 2019 and came to Toronto from the New York Knicks via a trade in December, had a team-high 24 points, shooting 11-for-16 from the field while adding two rebounds and five assists. Trent, a 2018 second-rounder now in his fourth year with the Raptors, posted 11 points, five boards, and two dimes.

In each of his past 14 outings, Barrett has scored at least a dozen points. Through 21 appearances as a Raptor, the 23-year-old Canadian is averaging a career-high 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting a respectable 38.5 percent beyond the arc.

Trent, shooting 41.4 percent from deep, has played 53 games this season, averaging 11.7 points in 26.6 minutes per contest. The 25-year-old's latest effort marked his lowest point total across the winning streak, as he played a big part in igniting the streak by scoring 25 points in a blowout home win over the Brooklyn Nets last week.

The Raptors (22-36), sitting at No. 12 in the Eastern Conference standings but still in contention for the NBA Play-In Tournament, host the Dallas Mavericks, featuring two Duke basketball products in guard Kyrie Irving and center Dereck Lively II, at 7:30 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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