Ayrton Oneill
The tragic death of Nathan Barrett, the younger brother of Toronto Raptors star RJ Barrett, has left the basketball world in mourning. Nathan, who was only 19 years old, passed away on March 12, 2024, with the cause of death not disclosed by the family. RJ Barrett, a talented NBA guard, has shared his grief, describing his late brother as his best friend and expressing how he still texts and calls him. The Barrett family, well-known for their contributions to basketball, has received an outpouring of support during this difficult time, with RJ Barrett finding solace in the sport and his teammates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nathan Barrett |
| Date of Death | 12 March 2024 |
| Age | 19 |
| Relation | Younger brother of Toronto Raptors player RJ Barrett |
| Cause of Death | Not disclosed |
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What You'll Learn
RJ Barrett's tribute to his brother
The death of his younger brother, Nathan, has been difficult for RJ Barrett, who plays for the Toronto Raptors. In the aftermath of his brother's death, Barrett has found solace in basketball, calling it his "sanctuary." He has also found comfort in his teammates, stating that being around them has been helping a lot.
Barrett shared fond memories of his brother, describing him as his "'best friend'" and recalling their competitive sibling relationship. He remembered Nathan as being athletic and capable of doing anything he put his mind to.
In a statement released by the Raptors and Canada Basketball on behalf of the Barrett family, they expressed their devastation at the loss of Nathan, who was described as a "God-fearing young man of strong character." The statement read:
> "While our family is devastated by this great loss, we will continue to cherish the memories and time spent together. Nathan was a God-fearing young man of strong character. He was thoughtful, kind, loving, compassionate, creative, admirable, and driven."
Barrett's former coach, Chris Stewart, also paid tribute to Nathan, whom he coached when he was a member of the Mississauga Monarchs. In an Instagram post, Stewart wrote:
> "On March 12, my extended Monarch’s family lost another member, Nathan Barrett. It’s hard to believe this is the second time this has happened to my family and basketball community. Nathan was only with us for a short time in Grade 7 before he moved to Florida, but whenever he was back in Mississauga, the boys connected. I saw Nathan last summer, all grown up, with a big smile, and he was excited to tell me how he was starting school to become a pilot. I always tell my former players that if you were on my team even for one season, you will always be my family."
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The family's statement
The Barrett family is devastated by the loss of our beloved son and brother, Nathan Tyler Barrett, who passed away on Tuesday, 12 March, surrounded by his family, church, and friends. Nathan was a God-fearing young man of strong character. He was thoughtful, kind, loving, compassionate, creative, admirable, and driven.
Nathan was passionate about basketball and was following in his older brother's footsteps. He played high school basketball in Florida and had dreams of becoming a pilot. He was more of a point guard, but he was really aggressive. He was also a hard-working student and a loyal friend.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the basketball community, RJ's teammates, and fans around the world. We ask for privacy during this difficult time as we mourn the loss of our dear Nathan.
While we may never fully recover from the pain of losing Nathan, we find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace. We will cherish the memories and time spent with him forever. We kindly request that the media respect our privacy during this challenging period.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to those who have reached out and offered their condolences. Your support has been a source of strength during this trying time.
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Nathan Barrett's cause of death
The cause of Nathan Barrett's death has not been publicly disclosed. In a statement, the Toronto Raptors, for whom Nathan's older brother RJ Barrett plays, said:
> It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the loss of our beloved son and brother, Nathan Tyler Barrett, who passed away on Tuesday, March 12, surrounded by his family, church and friends. While our family is devastated by this great loss, we will continue to cherish the memories and time spent together. Nathan was a God-fearing young man of strong character. He was thoughtful, kind, loving, compassionate, creative, admirable, and driven.
RJ Barrett, who plays as a guard for the Raptors, said of his brother:
> I’ve had some people in my life, but this one hit a little harder for me. This one is definitely a little different, it’s a lot tougher, and I just think that you’ve gotta push forward every day, gotta be able to try to figure it out. [...] You know, he was my best friend. I’m always missing him. I still text him. I still call him sometimes; I don't know why.
Nathan Barrett, who was 19 at the time of his death, was a high school basketball player in Florida and was studying to become a pilot.
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RJ Barrett's return to basketball
The tragic death of RJ Barrett's younger brother, Nathan Barrett, was confirmed by the Toronto Raptors and Canada Basketball on behalf of the Barrett family. The cause of death was not disclosed.
RJ Barrett, the 24-year-old Toronto-born basketball player, was understandably ruled out of the Raptors game on Friday, March 15, 2024, against the Orlando Magic, with the team citing 'personal reasons'.
Barrett is a forward-guard for the Toronto Raptors, standing at 6-foot-6 (198 cm) and weighing 214 lbs (97 kg). He was selected third overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the New York Knicks after a stellar college basketball career with the Duke Blue Devils.
Barrett returned to the Raptors lineup on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, for a game against the Hornets. He had been ruled out of the previous two games against the Pistons and Mavericks for rest. In his return, Barrett played 14 minutes, scoring 11 points with one rebound, one assist, and one steal in a 126-96 win.
Barrett's return to basketball following his brother's death demonstrated his resilience and dedication to his craft. He has established himself as a key contributor to the Raptors, and his presence on the court provides a sense of normalcy during a challenging time.
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Reactions from the basketball community
The tragic passing of Nathan Barrett, the younger brother of Toronto Raptors star RJ Barrett, has left the basketball community reeling. RJ Barrett, a sixth-year NBA guard, described his late brother as his "best friend" and shared that he still texts and calls him sometimes. The outpouring of support and condolences from the basketball world reflects the impact of this loss.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic acknowledged the importance of team support during this difficult time, emphasizing that the organization is one family and that they will stand behind RJ Barrett through this tragedy. The basketball community, including fans and fellow players, has expressed their sorrow and offered their thoughts and prayers to the Barrett family.
Chris Stewart, Nathan Barrett's former coach with the Mississauga Monarchs, paid tribute to him on Instagram, writing, "On March 12, my extended Monarch's family lost another member, Nathan Barrett. It's hard to believe this is the second time this has happened to my family and basketball community." This heartfelt message highlights the profound impact Nathan's passing has had on those within the basketball community.
The Toronto Raptors organization released a statement expressing their sadness over the loss of Nathan Barrett. They described him as a "beloved son and brother" and shared that he was surrounded by his family, church, and friends at the time of his passing. The statement also mentioned Nathan's admirable character, describing him as "thoughtful, kind, loving, compassionate, creative, admirable, and driven."
As RJ Barrett returns to the basketball court, he finds solace in the sport, calling it his "sanctuary." He shared that being back with his teammates and focusing on playing basketball brings him peace and helps take his mind off things, even if only for a little while. The support from his teammates and the basketball community is invaluable as he navigates this challenging time.
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Frequently asked questions
RJ Barrett is a Toronto Raptors forward.
Nathan Barrett is the younger brother of RJ Barrett.
Nathan Barrett died on Tuesday, 12 March 2024.
The cause of Nathan Barrett's death has not been disclosed.
Nathan Barrett was 19 years old when he passed away.
