Canada’s Barrett to reclassify, be eligible for 2019 NBA Draft

R.J Barrett, gold medal winner at the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup joined the Jeff Blair Show to discuss the last 72 hours for him, how beating the U.S.A was huge and what’s in store for the young Canadian.

Canadian teen sensation R.J. Barrett is planning to reclassify in order to begin his NCAA collegiate career in the fall of 2018 instead of the following year.

The move would make the 17-year-old forward eligible for the 2019 NBA Draft, where he will more than likely be in serious consideration for the first-overall pick. If he were, he’d be the third Canadian selected in the top spot in the span of seven years, joining fellow countrymen Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett.

Barrett is expected to make the announcement sometime in August, according to reporter Adam Zagoria:

As expected, the Class of 2019 star is hearing from a Who’s Who of colleges who would love him to step on campus in 2018.

“Yeah, there’s Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Texas, Michigan, UCLA, schools like that,” Barrett said.
He said he has no idea where he might go just yet.

“I have no idea yet,” he said. “The process really just started so so just talking to coaches a little bit. Don’t really know yet.”

Duke has been heavily involved for Barrett and is in regular contact, with one source saying it’s his “favorite school.”

“They’re recruiting me and stuff,” Barrett said of Duke. “Just regular stuff, letting me know they’re recruiting me.”

Barrett has long been on the radar of NBA scouts and the top college programs in America, but a dominant summer highlighted by his performance in leading Canada to a gold medal last month at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Cairo, Egypt has seen a surge in interest surrounding the forward. In the semifinals against the United States, Barrett scored 38 points, grabbed 13 boards, and dished out five assists..

Watching the highlights, it’s not hard to believe the hype. Barrett was poised, and flat-out unstoppable, making clear why many have touted him as the best player in his age group:

Keep an eye and ear out for updates as Barrett’s announcement nears.

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