Is RJ Barrett The Best College Prospect?

Duke has 3 of the top 4 college prospects by all accounts. This Duke team is absolutely sensational with the chance of winning the NCAA Championship this year. When Zion and Rj first came into college the debate was who was going to be better? Rj was the top ranked high schooler by ESPN, while Zion was lighting up the world with his dunks. As the season progressed it was clear that Zion was the better player, but now you can't help but question if Rj truly is the best player on Duke.

This season Rj is having an incredible year of averaging 23.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Barrett has just broken the Duke Scoring Record by a freshman in the season, this includes people like Marvin Bagley and Brandon Ingram. Barrett is having an incredible year and averaging more points than Zion is, which is 21.6 points. Barrett is also averaging 2 more assists than Zion, which means his playmaking for other is better.

Barrett's father is a retired professional basketball player, which I think means something. When a player's family member was in the pro's this will help ease the transition to the professional league. Look at Donovan Mitchell's rookie year, his father was a baseball player in the minors and Mitchell's ease to the pro's was easier than the average players. There's a number of professional athletes all throughout the leagues whose parents were in the pro's and their team easing into the professional league was easier. 

Barrett's godfather is Hall Of Fame Point Guard Steve Nash. Steve Nash is one of the greatest point guards of all time and his playmaking was phenomenal. With Nash showing Barrett a few things. it's no shocker that Barrett is averaging 4.2 assists without even bringing up the ball most plays. With Nash being a mentor to Barrett it'll help him become a great playmaker and better decision maker.

Coming into college, Rj was highly regarded as the best high school player. ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports all had him ranked as the #1 overall high school player. Barrett was the most skilled player coming into college and during the McDonald's All-American game Barrett proved this to be true by dropping 26 points. 

Since Zion has gotten injured Barrett has stepped up tremendously, becoming the leader Duke needed. Rj Barrett will become in talks more for first overall if Zion remains to sit out. When you look at Barrett's stats his assists and rebounds have gone up, with him even dropping 33 points against UNC. Barrett should be considered the first overall pick if a team is looking for a potentially more skilled player.