Barrett shines in Duke debut

Late in the first quarter of his college coming-out party, Canadian basketball phenom R.J. Barrett veered around a Ryerson defender to throw down an emphatic dunk. He and teammate Zion Williamson celebrated with a chest bump that was almost as big.

Making his Duke debut in his virtual backyard, the electrifying 18-year-old from Mississauga, Ont., made his first game in a Blue Devils jersey a memorable one, scoring a game-high 34 points in an 86-67 preseason victory over Canadian university’s Ryerson Rams.

“It was great to get to go out there with my brothers in my hometown. It was special for me,” Barrett said. “A lot of excitement, a little nervous with it being the first time wearing a Duke jersey.

“But for me, playing in front of the fans is great. I got to see mom and dad in the crowd and everybody in Canada. It was cool.”

Williamson added 29 points and 13 rebounds, and Duke didn’t have another player in double figures as the two young stars provided a highlight-package preview of what should be a thrilling NCAA season to come.

“Those two kids ... they’re all about winning — they get it,” said Duke’s Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Barrett certainly showed zero signs of first-game jitters, and on one particularly memorable play late in the third quarter, he found Williamson with a halfcourt lob for an alley-oop that brought the crowd to its feet.

“I don’t think he’s a kid that ever gets nervous and he’s never afraid but he’s excited. He’s proud,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s represented Canada internationally and this is his home. He’s proud to be at Duke. He’s proud, proud, proud about so many things, and you want to play great.

“I thought he played really well but he’ll play even better as this moves along.”