New York Knicks Ex RJ Barrett Speaks After Brother's Passing

Former New York Knicks forward RJ Barrett's brother Nathan tragically passed away earlier this month.

Jeremy Brener | Mar 29, 2024

Mar 7, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) shoots over Phoenix Suns / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett spoke publicly for the first time since the passing of his younger brother Nathan on March 14. The former New York Knick is preparing to return to the floor after missing the past eight games in the wake of losing Nathan.

"It's a hard time, for sure," Barrett said on Friday, per Josh Lewenberg of TSN. "He was my best friend. I'm always missing him. I still text him. I still call him sometimes; I don't know why. But I'm thankful for all the support from everybody & definitely from the Raptors."

Barrett has no timetable for his return but believed that his brother would want him on the floor. Toronto's next scheduled game is Sunday at home against Philadelphia.

"Basketball is my sanctuary, so this actually brings me peace," Barrett continued. "If I know my brother, he would want me to be here, to try to continue to make the Barrett legacy grow."

Mar 7, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) shoots over Phoenix Suns / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Barrett has played in 27 games for the Raptors so far this season, but he hasn't seen the floor since March 11, three days before Nathan tragically passed away nearly two years after graduating from Montverde Academy in Florida. RJ is averaging 20.8 points and 6.2 rebounds since the Knicks traded him and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto in a late December deal that sent OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa to New York.

The Knicks played the Raptors in their final meeting of the season on Wednesday, sweeping the season set with a 145-101 victory.

Published Mar 29, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.