RJ Barrett racked up 22 points for Team Canada Tuesday and praise – even if backhanded – from Greece coach Rick Pitino.
Back on the court for the first time since June 2, when the Knicks were eliminated by the Hawks, Barrett was rusty in the first half. But he poured in 12 fourth-quarter points to key Canada’s 97-91 victory over Greece in an Olympic qualifier in Victoria, British Columbia.
Barrett, who started at shooting guard, hit two free throws with 34 seconds left that clinched it. Canada still must win out to make it to Tokyo, and it faces China Wednesday night before the elimination round this weekend.
Pitino, the Iona coach who formerly coached the Knicks and Celtics in addition to college stints including Kentucky and Louisville, said of the Knicks’ No. 3 overall pick in 2019 out of Duke: “Barrett in college couldn’t really shoot a 12-foot shot, and I absolutely love players that work at their game and get better. I’m obviously a big Knicks fan, so I’m a big RJ fan. But the fact that he’s improved so much is amazing to me.”
“If you give him his left hand, he’s unstoppable,” Pitino added. “He’s strong. He’s tough.”
Barrett scored just three points in the first half of Tuesday’s game. He finished with 8-of-14 shooting – including 1-of-6 from the shortened FIBA 3-point stripe. He hit 5 of 7 free throws.
“It was our first time playing together, [so] I was definitely sloppy coming out for the gate, but picked it up and we got it done collectively,” said Barrett, a Toronto-area native.
Canada, which hasn’t made the Olympics since 2000, has eight NBA players on its roster, including Andrew Wiggins. Barrett’s father, Rowan, who played at St. John’s, is the Canadian team’s GM.
“Last time we made the Olympics, my dad was wearing 9, and now I’m wearing it,” Barrett said. “It feels right.”