The season took an unexpected turn for RJ Barrett in March 2025—not just because of a lingering knee issue, but because a personal loss pulled him away from the game. The Toronto Raptors forward has been balancing grief and recovery after the death of his younger brother, Nathan Barrett, while also managing a knee injury that has kept him off the court.

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Current team: Toronto Raptors ·
Position: Forward ·
Height: 6’6″ (1.98 m) ·
Birthdate: June 14, 2000 (age 25) ·
Contract total: $107,000,000 (4 years) ·
Average annual salary: $26,750,000

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Nathan Barrett, RJ’s younger brother, passed away on March 12, 2025 (CBS Sports)
  • RJ Barrett missed games due to knee injury management (Sportsnet)
  • His contract is 4 years, $107 million (Spotrac)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact cause of Nathan Barrett’s death (not publicly detailed) (CBS Sports)
  • When RJ will return to full game action (CBS Sports)
  • Nature of Nathan’s illness before hospitalization (Sportsnet)
3Timeline signal
  • March 12, 2025: Nathan Barrett dies (ESPN)
  • March 12–14: RJ out vs. Detroit and Orlando (ESPN)
  • February 2025: Nathan hospitalized at Sunnybrook Hospital (Sportsnet)
4What’s next
  • RJ continues knee rehab and personal leave
  • Raptors have not set a return date
  • Team and family focus on healing
Key facts about RJ Barrett
Attribute Value
Full name Rowan Alexander ‘RJ’ Barrett Jr.
Born June 14, 2000 (Toronto, Ontario)
Position Forward
Height/Weight 6’6″ (1.98 m), 214 lbs
College Duke
NBA debut 2019

The table shows Barrett’s profile as a Canadian-born Duke product who entered the NBA in 2019.

What happened to RJ Barrett’s little brother?

How did Nathan Barrett die?

Nathan Tyler Barrett, the younger brother of Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2025, surrounded by family, church, and friends CBS Sports. The official statement from the Barrett family and the Raptors organization did not reveal a cause of death, but Sportsnet later reported that Nathan had fallen ill in early February and spent time in intensive care at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital. The nature of his illness was not specified by the family.

When did the family announce his death?

The family released a joint statement on Thursday, March 14, through the Raptors, confirming Nathan’s death and describing him as “a beloved son and brother” who was “God-fearing, of strong character, thoughtful, kind, loving, compassionate, creative, admirable, and driven” ESPN. Sportsnet added that Nathan was 20 years old and had been living in Florida, studying to become a pilot.

The human cost

The Barrett family’s loss is compounded by the silence around Nathan’s cause of death—common in private family tragedies. For RJ, the return to basketball was always going to be measured in more than minutes per game.

The pattern: The Barrett family chose privacy over public disclosure, a decision that respects their grief while leaving questions unanswered.

Why is RJ Barrett not playing?

Is his absence due to injury or personal reasons?

Both. RJ Barrett was initially listed as out with knee injury management for the Raptors’ Wednesday loss to the Detroit Pistons on March 12 ESPN. Following the death of his brother, he also took personal leave and was ruled out for the Friday night game against the Orlando Magic ESPN. CBS Sports reported that it was unclear when Barrett would return to action.

What is the update from the Raptors?

The Raptors and Canada Basketball released a joint statement expressing condolences and supporting Barrett’s indefinite leave CBS Sports. As of late March, the team has not announced a return date. The knee injury management appears separate from the bereavement leave, creating a layered recovery process.

What to watch

The Raptors are managing two timelines: Barrett’s physical health and his emotional readiness. Neither is on a fixed schedule.

The implication: Neither the knee issue nor the grief has a clear end date. The Raptors are unlikely to rush his return, and Barrett’s mental health will be the deciding factor.

What is RJ Barrett’s salary?

How long is his current contract?

RJ Barrett signed a 4-year, $107 million rookie-scale extension with the New York Knicks in 2022, which was transferred to the Toronto Raptors when he was traded in December 2023 Spotrac. The deal runs through the 2026–27 season.

What is his average annual salary?

The average annual salary under the contract is $26.75 million Spotrac. For the 2024–25 season, Barrett’s cap hit is approximately $25.8 million, making him the third-highest-paid player on the Raptors roster.

The pattern: Barrett’s contract is a typical rookie max extension for a top-3 pick—high but not elite. His trade to Toronto gave the Knicks salary relief and gave the Raptors a homegrown Canadian talent on a manageable deal.

What ethnicity is RJ Barrett?

Is he Canadian?

Yes, Barrett was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 14, 2000 NBA.com. He holds Canadian citizenship and has represented Canada’s senior men’s national team in international competition, including the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Does he have Jamaican heritage?

Barrett’s father, Rowan Barrett, is Canadian-Jamaican and served as the general manager of Canada Basketball ESPN. RJ’s mother, Kesha Barrett, is also of Jamaican descent. He traces his roots to Jamaica and has spoken about the influence of his Jamaican heritage on his life and career.

Barrett is a Canadian of Jamaican descent whose ethnic background shapes his identity on and off the court.

Timeline of key events

  • – RJ Barrett born in Toronto
  • – Drafted 3rd overall by New York Knicks
  • – Traded to Toronto Raptors
  • – Nathan Barrett hospitalized at Sunnybrook Hospital (Sportsnet)
  • – Nathan Barrett dies; RJ out vs. Pistons (ESPN)
  • – Family statement released; RJ out vs. Magic (CBS Sports)

Confirmed facts

  • Nathan Barrett died in March 2025
  • RJ missed games due to both injury and bereavement
  • Barrett’s contract is 4 years, $107 million
  • He is Canadian with Jamaican heritage

What’s unclear

  • Exact cause of Nathan’s death
  • When RJ will return to play
  • Nature of Nathan’s illness

“Our family is devastated. Nathan was a beloved son, brother, and friend. He was God-fearing, of strong character, and thoughtful.”

Barrett family statement, via ESPN

“RJ has returned to the sanctuary of basketball after his brother’s death, but the knee injury management continues to keep him out of the lineup.”

Sportsnet

“Nathan was 20 years old, had been living in Florida, and was studying to be a pilot. He fell ill in early February.”

Sportsnet

The story of RJ Barrett in 2025 is not just a sports narrative—it’s a human one. For Toronto Raptors fans, the return of their Canadian star is deeply anticipated, but the wait is a reminder that players are also sons, brothers, and mourners.

Related reading: Hailey Baptiste: Nationality, Ethnicity, Injury & Career Facts

Additional sources

raptorsrapture.com, youtube.com, tiktok.com, facebook.com

For a deeper look at how the Raptors star has navigated both personal loss and professional demands, see RJ Barretts family tragedy and contract.

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Frequently asked questions

Is RJ Barrett still mourning his brother?

Yes, the family has publicly stated they are mourning. RJ has taken personal leave from the Raptors to be with family.

Will RJ Barrett play in the next game?

As of late March 2025, no return date has been set. He is listed as out due to knee injury management and personal reasons.

What is RJ Barrett’s net worth?

His current contract guarantees $107 million over 4 years. Including endorsements, his net worth is estimated in the $30–40 million range (via Spotrac).

How did RJ Barrett react to his brother’s death?

He has not made public statements, but the family statement described the loss as devastating. He returned to the Raptors facility but has not played.

When did RJ Barrett join the Toronto Raptors?

He was traded from the New York Knicks in December 2023.

What position does RJ Barrett play?

He plays forward, primarily small forward, and also sees minutes at shooting guard.

Who is RJ Barrett’s father?

Rowan Barrett, the general manager of Canada Basketball, who played professional basketball internationally.