Duke Freshman RJ Barrett Decides His Future

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Photo credit WFNZ/Jason Huber
Duke freshman guard R.J. Barrett has announced that he is declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft via a video on Twitter, where he thanked the fans.

I want to thank God, my family, my coaches and everyone that has helped me reach this decision ---- pic.twitter.com/z3GwdcV2ht

— Rj Barrett (@RjBarrett6) April 10, 2019

Barrett is the No. 3 ranked draft prospect according to ESPN.com and has been projected to be the No. 2 or 3 pick.

Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in his lone season with the Blue Devils, and was named to the All-ACC First Team and All-America Team.

"It was amazing to play for Coach (Krzyzewski) and play for the brotherhood," Barrett said. "It was a dream of mine to play at Duke ever since I was a young kid."

Barrett, the No. 1 prospect out of high school, didn't end his career at Duke in the most storybook way.

Barrett missed two potential game-tying free throws in the final seconds that allowed Michigan State to take home the victory in the Elite Eight.

First team All-American✅First team All-ACC✅USA Today Player of the Year✅Led the ACC in scoring✅Maple Mamba is a bucket! ----#HereComesDuke (@RjBarrett6) pic.twitter.com/1TFU6MjmlT

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) April 10, 2019

Alongside freshman sensation Zion Williamson, Barrett was a part of one of the best freshmen duos that college basketball has seen despite, falling short.

Barrett’s 860 points ranks second in Blue Devils single-season scoring behind JJ Redick’s 964 points. He also set an ACC scoring record for freshmen.

When Williamson was out for six games with an injury, Barrett put together a triple-double against NC State, the first Duke player to accomplish the feat since Sheldon Williams in 2006.

Barrett is from Canada and looks to be the highest Canadian draft selection since Andrew Wiggins was chosen No. 1 in 2014.