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R.J. Barrett grabs first double-double of NBA career in Summer League

By Kevin Connelly

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: RJ Barrett #8 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up the court against the Phoenix Suns during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: RJ Barrett #8 of the New York Knicks brings the ball up the court against the Phoenix Suns during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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It’s been a rocky Summer League for R.J. Barrett but the former Duke Basketball star secured his first ever professional double-double on Tuesday night.

The New York Knicks were the “favorites” to win the NBA Summer League and after three games the team has yet to win a game and although it’s just Summer League, the fans in the Big Apple are beginning to grow restless.

However, on Tuesday night the No. 3 overall pick of the Orange and Blue notched his first NBA double-double at Summer League.

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R.J. Barrett scored 17 points and grabbed ten rebounds against the Toronto Raptors in addition to six rebounds and three blocks with only one turnover in 28 minutes of action.

Barrett’s 17 points were a team high on the evening but not enough to carry the Knicks over the Raptors as Toronto came away with a 85-73 victory.

However, Barrett has not been very efficient from the field in his first two Summer League games but that did improve on Tuesday night as the former Blue Devil was 6-of-14 from the floor and 1-of-4 from 3-point range and he did make all four of his free throw attempts.

All ten of the Canadians rebounds were on the defensive end and Barrett finished the night with a +/- rating of -6, the tied with Kadeem Allen for the best of the starting five.

R.J. Barrett is the highest 2019 NBA Draft pick still playing in the Las Vegas Summer League as No. 1 pick Zion Williamson was ruled out with a knee bruise after playing nine minutes in his first game and No. 2 pick Ja Morant has not seen the floor due to a knee injury.

The New York Knicks will try and get in the win column on Wednesday July 10 against the winless Los Angeles Lakers at 9:30pm EST on ESPN2.

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