Tragedy in the NBA: Toronto Raptors' RJ Barrett's younger brother dies

The basketball community has been rocked by tragic news: Toronto Raptors star point guard RJ Barrett is mourning the sudden death of his younger brother, Nathan Barrett. The Barrett family announced the death on Tuesday in a statement later shared by the Raptors and Canada Basketball, though no details have been released about the cause of death or Nathan's age.

RJ Barrett, who currently ranks second in scoring for the Raptors with an average of 19.5 points per game, has been deeply affected by this devastating loss. His absence from Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons and confirmation of his inactivity for the upcoming game against the Orlando Magic on Friday night underscore the emotional impact this personal tragedy has had on him.

The statement issued by the Barrett family is a moving testament to Nathan's life and legacy: "While our family is devastated by this great loss, we will continue to cherish the memories and time we spent together." Nathan is described as "a God-fearing young man of strong character" and is remembered as someone who was "thoughtful, kind, loving, compassionate, creative, admirable and driven."

The Barrett brothers' connection to basketball dates back to their time at Montverde Academy High School in Florida, where they both made their mark with their talent on the court. RJ, following in his brother's footsteps, also shined at Duke University before being selected third overall by the New York Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft. His rise in the league has been remarkable, and his presence on the Raptors has been pivotal for the team.