RJ Barrett: Brother Nathan’s Death and Raptors Return

In March 2025, Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett was mourning the death of his younger brother Nathan, a loss that forced him to take leave from the team, according to a family statement published by ESPN. Weeks later, he returned to the lineup.

Age: 25 (born June 14, 2000) · Height: 6’6″ · Weight: 214 lbs · Position: SG/SF · Team: Toronto Raptors · 2025-26 PPG: 23.0

The table below summarizes RJ Barrett’s key biographical and career details.

What happened to RJ Barrett’s little brother?

Details of Nathan Barrett’s death

• Nathan Tyler Barrett passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2025, according to a family statement cited by CBS Sports.
• The statement did not disclose his cause of death or his age (ESPN).
• Reports described him as “surrounded by family, church, and friends” at the time of his passing (CBS Sports).

Family statement and mourning

• The Raptors and Canada Basketball released a joint statement on behalf of the Barrett family expressing devastation over the loss (ESPN).
• Rowan Barrett, RJ’s father and general manager of Canada Basketball, was listed as a signatory (ESPN).

Why is RJ Barrett not playing?

Personal leave for brother’s death

• RJ Barrett did not play in Toronto’s loss at Detroit on Wednesday, March 13, 2025 (ESPN).
• He was also ruled out for the home game against Orlando on Friday, March 15, 2025 (ESPN).
• CBS Sports reported that Barrett would be away from the team indefinitely (CBS Sports).

Injury return timeline

• Earlier in the season, Barrett had dealt with an unspecified injury, though the exact nature was not disclosed (CBS Sports).
• By late March 2025, Barrett rejoined the Raptors and played against the Golden State Warriors (CBS Sports).

What is RJ Barrett’s salary?

Current contract details

• In July 2024, Barrett signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Toronto Raptors (contract figure widely reported by NBA media, e.g., ESPN).
• His estimated salary for the 2025-26 season is $28 million.

Career earnings

• Barrett earned roughly $30 million over his first four seasons (2019-2023) on his rookie scale contract (according to standard NBA rookie pay scales).
• With the extension, his total career earnings will exceed $150 million before taxes and agent fees.

What ethnicity is RJ Barrett?

Family background

• His father, Rowan Barrett, is Jamaican-Canadian and a former professional basketball player (ESPN).
• His mother, Kesha Dyer, is African-American.
• Barrett holds both Canadian and Jamaican citizenship.

Canadian nationality

• Born in Toronto, Ontario on June 14, 2000, Barrett is a natural Canadian citizen.
• He represented Canada at the FIBA World Cup and Olympic qualifying events.

Timeline

• June 14, 2000: RJ Barrett born in Toronto, Canada.
• 2019: Drafted 3rd overall by New York Knicks.
• December 2023: Traded to Toronto Raptors.
• July 2024: Signed four-year, $120 million extension.
• March 12, 2025: Nathan Barrett dies (CBS Sports).
• Late March 2025: RJ Barrett returns to play vs. Golden State Warriors (CBS Sports).

“Our family is devastated and heartbroken by the passing of our beloved Nathan.”

— Barrett family statement, via CBS Sports

“RJ has the full support of the entire Raptors organization and Canada Basketball as he takes time to be with his family.”

— Raptors team statement, via ESPN

For Toronto Raptors fans, the takeaway is measured optimism: Barrett has channeled his grief into a strong return on the court, averaging 23.0 points per game. But the emotional toll is real, and the public record will remain incomplete as long as the family chooses privacy. For the franchise, the choice is clear: support their star through the darkness, because the light he brings on the floor is worth the wait.

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