RJ Barrett Andrew Wiggins
Today at 10:25 PM
RJ Barrett became the second-youngest Canadian to score 7,000 NBA points on Friday. The youngest? The guy who was often guarding Barrett in the game, Andrew Wiggins.
“The Maple Mamba” came in at 24 years and 252 days when he crossed the threshold in the Toronto Raptors‘ 120-111 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Friday. Wiggins — “Maple Jordan” — was 304 days younger at 23 years and 313 days when he reached 7,000.
Barrett is having a career year, averaging 21.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, all career-highs.
The Canadian wing has also seen a significant increase in efficiency since making the move back home from New York. During his four and a half seasons with the Knicks, he averaged 42.2 per cent from the floor and 34.2 per cent from three. Since joining the Raptors in December 2023, he is shooting 50.5 per cent on field goals and 36.5 per cent from deep.
It’s also easy to forget how young Barrett is, considering he entered the league at 19 and is in the midst of his sixth season. While the two players taken ahead of the Mississauga, Ont. native in the NBA draft — Zion Williamson and Ja Morant — are often held in higher regard, Barrett leads the 2019 class in scoring.
Williamson and Morant have each missed significant time due to injury and suspension, respectively. However, Barrett’s feat is impressive regardless. After all, the best ability is availability. Barrett is also the first player from the 2019 draft class to reach the 7,000-point milestone.
Wiggins was traded to the Heat from the Golden State Warriors prior to the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline as the primary return — aside from draft capital — in the Jimmy Butler deal.
