Family of Raptors star RJ Barrett confirms death of younger brother: 'Devastated by this great loss'

The younger brother of Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett has died, the team confirmed in a statement on behalf of the Barrett family.

In a joint statement with Canada Basketball, the team confirmed Nathan Barrett’s passing on Tuesday.

family of raptors star rj barrett confirms death of younger brother: 'devastated by this great loss'

RJ Barrett, #9 of the Toronto Raptors, dribbles against Tre Mann, #23 of the Charlotte Hornets, in the first half of the NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 3, 2024 in Toronto. Cole Burston/Getty Images

“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,” the statement read.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“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.”

Nathan’s age and cause of death were not immediately known.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The family asked for privacy, but thanked everyone for the “outpouring of love, support and prayers that we have been receiving.”

family of raptors star rj barrett confirms death of younger brother: 'devastated by this great loss'

RJ Barrett, #9 of the Toronto Raptors, dribbles in the second half of a game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 11, 2024 in Denver. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

RAPTORS’ DARKO RAJAKOVIĆ SLAPPED WITH $25K FINE FOR CALLING OUT ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ FOUL CALLS BY OFFICIALS

“Though his time with us was brief, he will live forever in our hearts.”

RJ Barrett, who is second on the Raptors in scoring at 19.5 points per game, did not play in Wednesday’s loss at Detroit. RJ played one season at Duke before declaring for the NBA Draft. He was selected No. 3 overall by the New York Knicks in 2019 and later traded to the Raptors in December.

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau addressed the news of Nathan’s passing before Thursday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

family of raptors star rj barrett confirms death of younger brother: 'devastated by this great loss'

RJ Barrett, #9 of the New York Knicks, hits a three-point play against the Toronto Raptors during their game at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 11, 2023 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images

“Before we get started on behalf of our organization, our team, we’d like to send our heartfelt condolences to the Barrett family on the loss of their son, Nathan, RJ’s brother,” he said, via the New York Post. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, the entire family.”

Like his brother, Nathan played high school basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Original article source: Family of Raptors star RJ Barrett confirms death of younger brother: ‘Devastated by this great loss’

OTHER NEWS

15 minutes ago

ABC host narrowly escapes death after common act at a beach - as she comes under fire over a very simple suggestion

16 minutes ago

An emotional win for theaters, Hollywood: `Inside Out...

16 minutes ago

House of the Dragon's second season debuts to great fanfare ... Game of Thrones' prequel's sophomore slate includes eight episodes

16 minutes ago

REBECCA ENGLISH: The real reason why Kate was determined to join her 'kiddies' and 'Grandpa Wales' on the balcony... plus what a Palace source did when I asked if the King would see Harry and his other grandchildren this summer

16 minutes ago

Bryson DeChambeau wins thrilling US Open battle as Rory McIlroy falls short

16 minutes ago

Ferrari wins 24 Hours of Le Mans

16 minutes ago

Tony Awards 2024: The complete list of winners (so far)

16 minutes ago

Angelina Jolie & Vivienne Jolie-Pitt arrive at the Tony Awards

16 minutes ago

Waterman replaces injured Hoilett on Canada’s Copa America roster

16 minutes ago

George Clooney among A-listers helping Joe Biden gala raise record $28m

18 minutes ago

Tom Brady makes FOX broadcasting debut during UFL championship game

20 minutes ago

Julie Theobald dies suddenly from common illness - leaving behind 13 children

20 minutes ago

Video: Shocking new video shows one of the FIVE times a terrified calf was brutally mown down by police before it was left wounded in a park for 'two hours' amid claims cops were 'radioing for armed response to shoot it' - with one officer suspended amid b

20 minutes ago

Video: Couple finds abandoned newborn with her umbilical chord attached after noticing a blanket with two little feet moving

20 minutes ago

Video: China's second-most powerful leader to be welcomed at Canberra

20 minutes ago

Video: Stanford University graduation chaos as HUNDREDS of students waving Palestinian flags and keffiyehs walk out during President Richard Saller's speech

20 minutes ago

Tom Brady makes his first Fox Sports appearance at UFL Championship after signing 10-year, $375million deal as lead NFL analyst

22 minutes ago

Nissan GT-R dies another death as electric switch looms

22 minutes ago

Riley Rees-Turner is a former footy player turned rower who's now got his heart set on the Olympics

22 minutes ago

Bellingham delivers as England win tense Euros clash

22 minutes ago

Boks wrap up first training camp ahead of blockbuster season

22 minutes ago

Gary Lineker offers Harry Kane explanation after England captain struggles in Serbia win

22 minutes ago

Senators expected to trade winger prospect this summer

22 minutes ago

Celtic could land Hatate alternative in swoop for "tenacious" SPFL star

25 minutes ago

Monday declared an Air Pollution Action Day in Illinois. Here's what that means

27 minutes ago

'Nude artist' Dina Broadhurst suffers a nip slip as she poses topless during a tropical getaway

27 minutes ago

Video: Perrie Edwards puts on a leggy display in gold minidress with a daring thigh-high slit as she takes to the stage for solo debut at Capital Summertime Ball

27 minutes ago

Video: Jerry Seinfeld blasts anti-Israel heckler during Sydney standup gig: 'We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen'

27 minutes ago

Couple finds abandoned newborn with her umbilical chord attached after noticing a blanket with two little feet moving

27 minutes ago

Julie Theobald dies suddenly from common illness - leaving behind 13 children

27 minutes ago

The world's best footballer with France on his shoulders, his mother on his back and a string of supermodels on his arm: Now Kylian Mbappe wants to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's path in the Euros and at Real Madrid

27 minutes ago

Shocking new video shows one of the FIVE times a terrified calf was brutally mown down by police before it was left wounded in a park for 'two hours' amid claims cops were 'radioing for armed response to shoot it' - with one officer suspended amid backlash

27 minutes ago

Fans left heartbroken for Rory McIlroy after 'biggest choke in history of golf' in final US Open round: 'I don't know how he can recover from this'

27 minutes ago

Gogglebox star shares baby joy as they welcome a new addition to the family in sweet snaps

27 minutes ago

Dani Dyer embraces boyfriend Jarrod Bowen as she supports the England star at their Euros opening match against Serbia

27 minutes ago

Kym Marsh reveals the poignant meaning behind the item she placed inside her late father David's coffin after his death from prostate cancer

29 minutes ago

Former infielder, coach Mike Brumley killed in crash at 61

29 minutes ago

Jay-Z joins Alicia Keys for surprise Tony Awards performance brining the crowd to its feet

29 minutes ago

NDP 2024 packs designed by 40 students from 22 special needs schools

29 minutes ago

Assessing Trump’s and Biden’s Claims About Immigration and Border Security