Knicks' RJ Barrett Ready For FIBA World Cup Run With Team Canada 'Family'
New York Knicks small forward RJ Barrett had 10 points in Team Canada's final exhibition on Saturday before the FIBA Basketball World Cup tips off in Asia this week. The 23-year-old hit 3-of-5 shots from the field against the Dominican Republic and also hauled in five rebounds over the first 20 minutes.
However, Barrett and the rest of the starters were taken out of the game for a planned resting period. With the star attractions out, the Dominicans won 94-88. Canada finished 3-2 in a five-game exhibition slate before moving on to Jakarta for World Cup pool play. Their first game in Group F action lands on Friday against France, which stars fellow Knick Evan Fournier (9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+).
While the current Team USA squad, which features fellow Knicks Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, hadn't played much together before they formed, Barrett revealed that he's been friends with his Canadian teammates long before these past five games.
“(We’ve) known each other since we were kids. It’s … like family,” Barrett told Doug Smith of Toronto Star. “We kind of see each other throughout the year a little bit, most guys. But being able to be here, hang out, just practice, then play together is going to be good.”
Barrett grew up in Mississauga alongside future Houston Rockets small forward Dillon Brooks. The two of them recognized each other's basketball abilities when they were kids and took advantage and will now play for international gold.
Team chemistry is arguably the most important factor in a franchise's, or in this case, a national team's, success. Having known each other for so long, the Canadians have that edge just before the tournament begins.
Their exhibition record, however, suggests that they have more work to do.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
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