RJ Barrett donates $100,000 to food bank
New York Knicks’ superstar rookie RJ Barrett proved he was more than just a talent on the court last week by doing a good deed and helping those most in need. The Toronto native decided to give back to the community that helped him launch his career and donated $100,000 to the Mississauga Food Bank which helped provide 200,000 meals.
The food bank is looking to raise funds to help deal with the issues that have popped up as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are hoping to raise a grand total of $840,000, which would all go to supporting the community. Barrett began playing high school basketball at St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Mississauga before eventually transferring to the famed Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida.
“One thing my family has taught me is the importance of being supportive when you can, in any way you can. During these difficult times, we all need to do our part and knowing I have the ability to help ensure people have what they need is important to me,” Barrett said in a statement. “I’m happy I can make a difference in the neighbourhood I grew up in.”
The 19-year-old was selected third overall by the Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft, after playing just one season in the NCAA with the Duke Blue Devils. He started in 38 games for the Blue Devils, averaging an impressive 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 22.6 points. Along with his teammate from Duke Zion Williamson who went first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Barrett was named to the All-ACC First Team.
In his debut season with the Knicks, he demonstrated that he had made the right choice to forego the final three years of his collegiate eligibility. Prior to the NBA being halted due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Barrett had played 56 games for the Knicks in his rookie season, averaging 14.3 points, 5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He was one of the lone bright spots on an abysmal team.
The Knicks are sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with just 21 wins on the season after 66 games. The franchise has become a laughingstock over the past decade, failing to make a single playoff appearance since they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals back during the 2012-13 season. That streak wasn’t likely to end this year either, even if the league hadn’t been suspended.
The Knicks are desperately hoping that Barrett could help turn the organization around and lead them back to the glory days when they were a legitimate contender in the East. It remains to be seen whether the NBA will hold their annual draft on June 25th like originally planned, but the Knicks can expect some more help to arrive whenever the draft does take place. An order has not been established yet, but given their place in the standings it is pretty safe to say New York will be one of the first teams up to the podium once again.
