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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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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils shouts against the Rhode Island Rams during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils shouts against the Rhode Island Rams during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3) Leadership

Furthermore, this Duke team is very young. Javin DeLaurier and Marques Bolden are the only upperclassmen returning who saw significant playing time last year and neither will be anything more than a role player for the Blue Devils.

That means someone from Duke’s historic freshmen class will have to assume a leadership role, and Barrett is the best bet to be that guy. He capped his stellar performances during the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup and 2018 GEICO Nationals with exactly what you want – championships. The gold medal in the World Cup was Canada’s first-ever men’s basketball gold of any kind.

His leadership was the driving force behind those two championship runs, and after Duke’s 86-67 win over Ryerson, Coach K sees him playing a similar leadership role for the Blue Devils.

"“Every day he shows his maturity with how he handles things. His relationships with the coaches and with me are great. He’s comfortable and he’s a man. He’s so mature in his relationships and that makes it good for everyone. He does it every day. He’s just a fun guy to be with and a winner. He’s a special kid and a special player.”"

Barrett has proven time and time again that he’s a leader and a winner – a kind that doesn’t come around very often. I don’t expect either will suddenly change this year.

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