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Duke Basketball: 4 reasons why RJ Barrett will win 2019 National Player of the Year

By Brian Rauf

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy goes up for a layup in a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy goes up for a layup in a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Only two true freshmen have won National Player of the Year in college basketball history. Duke’s RJ Barrett is poised to become the third.

Elite freshmen have become the headliners in today’s college basketball world, but upperclassmen are still the most successful when it comes to both team and individual awards.

Of the last five players to win the Naismith College National Player of the Year, all five have been upperclassmen – and four have been seniors (Jalen Brunson was the lone exception).

So, despite the immense talent possessed by and the hype that has accompanied top recruits in the one-and-done era, those players very rarely cement themselves as the best of the best in college basketball.

A select few stars have been able to break through, however. Kevin Durant became the first freshman to win the award in 2006 when he averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game for Texas.

Anthony Davis followed in 2012 as he led Kentucky to a national championship behind his 14.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.7 blocks per game.

And that’s it. That’s the lengthy list of players who have claimed college basketball’s top individual award during their first season on campus. And, as we appear to be entering the twilight of the one-and-done era, Duke‘s R.J. Barrett is poised to become the third name on that list.

Here are four reasons why:

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