New York Knicks: 3 reasons R.J. Barrett was a good pick

By Ryan Piers | Jun 21, 2019

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: RJ Barrett is interviewed after being drafted by the New York Knicks during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ryan McGilloway/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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2. Historical scoring numbers

Out of the handful of scoring records Barrett broke last year, the most impressive one was his point total. Barrett scored 860 points last year, the most of any ACC freshman.

Think about the guys he topped — Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, J.J. Redick and so many more. None of them scored as many points as Barrett did his freshman year.

He was incredibly consistent, setting a Duke and ACC freshman record for the most 20-plus point games in a season. In February, he recorded only the fourth triple-double in Duke history. The last Blue Devil to do it was Shelden Williams in 2006.

RJ Barrett said he’s ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘humbled’ that the Knicks ‘took a chance’ on him. On the cheers at Barclays, Barrett said he’s appreciative that the city has embraced him. He said he got emotional when thinking about his late grandfather, who was a Knick fan.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 21, 2019

He scored more points (402) than anyone during a season in Cameron Indoor Stadium, and more than Redick did during his incredible season in 2006. It wasn’t just scoring either. Barrett finished top 10 in ACC freshman history in both assists and rebounds as well.

Any other year, this kind of production at the most prolific basketball school on the planet draws nightly headlines on ESPN, FOX Sports or any of the other dozens of sports networks across media land. This season, he road backseat to Zion. Good. It led to him “falling” to the Knicks at No. 3.

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