Barrett excited to play for hometown: 'Grew up a Raptors fan'
Days after joining the Toronto Raptors in a trade from the New York Knicks, RJ Barrett expressed excitement to represent his hometown.
"It's great. I'm really happy, really excited to be here. I'm thankful. I'm blessed," Barrett told reporters, including TSN's Josh Lewenberg on Monday, adding, "I grew up a Raptors fan all my life. So to come here and put the jersey on, it's going to be great."
Barrett and guard Immanuel Quickley were sent to Toronto on Saturday, with longtime Raptors wing O.G. Anunoby headed to New York, along with reserves Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
The Mississauga native will immediately slot in as the highest profile Canadian to don a Raptors jersey, something he believes his four-and-a-half years playing in pressure-packed New York has prepared him for.
"Maybe if I came here at 19, it would've been more difficult. Having grown up, I understand how I need to work," Barrett said.
Barrett has had an up-and-down NBA career since being drafted with the No. 3 pick in 2019. The 23-year-old has impressive career averages of 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists but has never shot better than 44.1% from the field in a season and is a career 34.2% shooter from deep.
It's still undetermined whether Barrett or Quickley will suit up when the Raptors play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.