MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year R.J. Barrett leads Canada to U19 World Cup title

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Canada's R.J. Barrett could be basketball's next big thing.

The buzz has been building on R.J. Barrett since he began his career at Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) as a freshman.

Over the weekend in Egypt, the 6-foot-7 Class of 2019 guard showed that he is indeed a star on the rise in the basketball world.

Barrett led Canada to the title at the FIBA U19 World Cup, earning MVP honors after averaging 21.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.

His signature performance came in the semifinals against head coach John Calipari and the United States, going for 38 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in a 99-87 victory for Canada.



The United States featured five players with college experience under their belt already as well as Class of 2017 star P.J. Washington and Class of 2018 phenom Romeo Langford.

A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Barrett is regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2019 by 247Sports.

Barrett put up over 22 points and seven rebounds per game in 2016-17 at Montverde Academy, leading the Eagles to a 26-5 record. Head coach Kevin Boyle's squad will be a popular preseason No. 1 pick heading into 2017-18.