Duke basketball: RJ Barrett helps fight COVID-19 in NYC and Canada

Former Duke basketball star R.J. Barrett has joined the fight against COVID-19 not only in his NBA city of New York but also in his home country of Canada.

As the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, former Duke basketball star and current New York Knicks rookie, R.J. Barrett, is doing his part to ensure the safety and well-being of those close to him.

The New York Post first reported the story of Barrett’s efforts in donating large amounts of equipment to those in New York as well as in his home country of Canada in Monday’s edition of the paper.

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Barrett’s donation is worth up to $250,000 that includes 200,000 meals for those in need, face masks, medical gowns, KN95 masks, disposable face shields, and disposable coveralls.

The 19-year old joins the likes of Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Seth Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Mike Krzyzewski, as well as the Duke Men’s Basketball program as those associated with the Blue Devils to donate to help the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

In his donations, $100,000 went to the food bank in his hometown of Mississauga and $25,000 to the Madison Square Garden Relief Fund.

The Knicks also said that the rookie donated 1,000 sneakers to the medical professionals in Canada as the personal protection equipment that R.J. Barrett donated went to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.

ALSO READ: Mike Krzyzewski makes large donation to NC Food Bank

Prior to the suspension of the NBA season, Barrett was averaging 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game on 40.2 percent shooting from the field in 56 games played as the New York Knicks continued their struggles with just a 21-45 record.

ALSO READ: Zion Williamson to pay Smoothie King Center workers through suspension

RJ Barrett’s generosity shows the true values that the rookie holds, and the quick response to help others that he and his former Blue Devil teammate Zion Williamson have shows the type of players Mike Krzyzewski recruits and molds at Duke University.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.

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