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Duke Basketball: R.J. Barrett reminds the world he is still a superstar

By Kevin Connelly

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 23: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a play against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Carrier Dome on February 23, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Duke defeated Syracuse 75-65. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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The somewhat overlooked Duke Basketball freshman star, R.J. Barrett, reminded the world on Saturday night that he is still a superstar.

The world gets caught up in the essence of Zion Williamson, and rightly so, but in his greatness, many have seemed to forget that R.J. Barrett is a superstar in his own right and he has proved that in Zion’s absence.

After 30 points in Saturday’s win against Syracuse, Barrett reemerged as one of the top two player in the country, along side of Williamson.

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Coming in to start the season, it was Barrett that was the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, but since Zion has taken the country by storm, it “dropped” Barrett to the No. 2 pick and some were debating whether teams should select Barrett or Ja Morant.

Spoiler Alert: The pick is R.J. Barrett and it isn’t even close.

In four of the past five games, R.J. has 23 points, not missing a single second in Wednesday’s game against North Carolina as well on Saturday.

Barrett is also one game behind Marvin Bagley III for the post 30-point games as an ACC freshman.

He posted the first triple-double in Duke Basketball history since 2006 and on the season, he is averaging 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists.

The only criticism of Barrett’s game is that he has yet to establish a consistent 3-point shot, but when it matters most, get the ball to Barrett and he will make a play.

Specifically, using a pass fake to almost send Oshae Brissett into the Duke bench and drain the dagger against the Orange as the shot clock was set to expire.

While Zion Williamson has cemented himself as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, R.J. Barrett is the No. 2 pick and it isn’t even up for debate anymore, and it shouldn’t have been a question in the first place.

As Zion still recovers from his knee sprain, look for R.J. Barrett to continue his domination and once Williamson returns, the best team in the country gets the best two players in the country on the floor together, I’ll say this; Watch out, America.

Barrett and the rest of the Blue Devils are back in action on the road against Virginia Tech on Tuesday night at 7:00pm ET.

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