Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett explains why he loves playing in Canada

Last week, Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett celebrated an anniversary: ​​one year since the franchise-altering move that brought him back to his hometown.

He spent the first four and a half years of his NBA career with the New York Knicks before Toronto acquired Barrett and Immanuel Quickley in a five-player contract. Barrett made his Raptors debut on January 1, 2024.

Twelve months later, Toronto native Barrett was no less grateful for the move.

“It’s just a blessing to be here. It means a lot more to me to put on this jersey every day than just being back home. I lived in the US for about nine to 10 years, now I’m back in Canada and can live in my hometown,” Barrett said in an interview with Daily Hive. “It was great.”

Barrett, who has been the Raptors’ leading scorer since the move, has averaged 22.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and five assists in 62 games since arriving in Toronto.

A third-round draft pick out of Duke who played at Montverde Academy in Florida – the same prep school that produced his Toronto teammate Scottie Barnes – Barrett has long been viewed as an NBA star.

“When I was growing up. I didn’t go downtown too often, and now I’m downtown every day. I’m just learning different things. But I still go to all my old places that I used to go to,” Barrett said.

One special memory that stuck with Barrett before his NBA career was the trip Duke made to the city in the preseason before his only year of college, where they played the Ryerson Rams in Mississauga.

“We were able to play it in front of all my family and friends. It was a really great memory,” Barrett said of a team that included future No. 1 pick Zion Williamson. “I will always keep these core memories.”

How does Barrett keep himself busy during the Raptors season?

It’s a connection to his youth that led to Barrett’s most recent partnership, as he joined the Playmaker program alongside other athletes including Aaliyah Edwards of the Washington Mystics, Sarah Nurse of the Toronto Sceptres and William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs Joined PlayStation.

“I’ve been playing a PlayStation ever since – I can’t remember – I think I was nine years old, my parents got me a PlayStation 2 for my birthday,” Barrett added. “I take it with me on every road trip. I find little times during the day to make sure I’m playing.”

Barrett named Call of duty And NBA 2K as his two favorite games, although he also dabbles in them Mortal Kombat Franchise.

But while some people might assume that he only plays with the Raptors in video games, he says he’s open to playing with almost anyone, although he occasionally plays as himself.

“Usually I just play with my friends and we form random teams, or sometimes we go to the park and stuff like that,” he said.