THE HOMECOMING

As Torontonians will always be happy to remind you, Toronto has gone global in recent years. Thanks to Drake, thanks to recent sporting excellence, thanks to the multicultural vibrancy of the city that an increasing number of visitors pay lip service to, Toronto has found a place for itself within a larger culture. There are more eyes than ever.

In that context, R.J. Barrett came home to Mississauga. With him came TSN and ESPN, setting up for broadcast in the Paramount Fine Foods Centre just ten minutes away from Barrett’s old stomping grounds at St. Marcellinus Secondary School. So it goes, for the number one prospect in 2018’s recruiting class. In the new threads of a legendary school, Barrett’s debut with the Duke Blue Devils had the grace to be watched by people rooting for him since St. Marcellinus.

Says Barrett, “It was a surreal feeling, and a great experience. There were plenty of familiar faces in the crowd, I was proud to have everyone come out and be able to support me and my teammates.”


WHO YOU CAME WITH

On a night where the city might otherwise have only had eyes for Barrett, Zion Williamson turned heads. His physique has been described as unique; at 6’6 and 285 lbs — of muscle, more so than body fat — there are easier comparisons to NFL edge rushers than basketball players. Mississauga could only watch as Zion flew through the air, turning rebounds into highlights and dunks into full-blown cultural moments. Don’t think Julius Randle, think a hooping Julius Peppers.

 

Says Williamson, “Me and R.J. have a really good chemistry. We were roommates over the summer, so we developed a very good brotherly bond. Me and him have a connection on the court that we can both know what we’re about to do with the ball.”


THE PROGRAM

Between Barrett’s 34 points and Williamson’s 29, two Duke freshman combined for 63 of their team’s 86 points, including their first 25. There have been questions about their compatibility on the court, given their natural need for the ball and questionable floor spacing ability. Against Ryerson, there were no questions, even if the offense at times reverted to the basic structure of two stars taking turns in isolation. Talent won out.

In Barrett and Williamson along with the injured Cam Reddish, Duke has famously added the top three recruits of 2018 to its program this season. This could only be the preview, August’s spin on whatever legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski envisions for this team.

Says Barrett, “We haven’t had many practices, so we’re a little rusty as you can see, but just getting on the court with Zion was great. It’s easy to play with him.”


NOT TO BE OUTDONE

Even in Mississauga, a good half-day’s drive from Duke University, the crowd came almost exclusively in Duke gear. There were more Kyrie Irving, J.J. Redick and Shane Battier jerseys than anything with a Ryerson logo on it.

Ryerson was unfazed. They went shot for shot with Duke to start, and after the first quarter, even held a 17-15 lead. Tanor Ngom, the 7’2 centre recruited from Senegal and freshly returned from the prestigious Nike Basketball Academy where he shared court with Kevin Durant, had the first highlight of the game with a crowning of Alex O’Connell. Fifth-year senior JV Mukama led the team with 20 points and four three-pointers throughout. Duke’s talent was too much to match, but for the attentive, the rising caliber of Canadian basketball could be appreciated on both sides.

 

Says Ryerson head coach Roy Rana, “We had stretches where I thought we looked good against one of the top teams in the NCAA and an iconic program. From the basketball perspective, we’re a little disappointed. Our guys in the locker room are a little disappointed, and that’s a good thing. We’re here to play, not to laugh, and it doesn’t matter who we play, we’re trying to win.”


THE PATH

It’s only August. In basketball, you can never extrapolate anything from August. Zion Williamson’s 3-of-4 performance from the three-point line could be a sign of progress in his game, or, it could just be four shots. We haven’t seen what the offense looks like with Cam Reddish integrated, or really, what it looks like with Barrett and Williamson integrated. It’s early.

That, also, is the context in which Barrett came home to Mississauga. And don’t tell his fans to chill, because that isn’t fandom. As Barrett proceeded through the handshake line 34 points later, he came to Ryerson head coach Roy Rana, reuniting the coach and player that won gold for Canada in last year’s FIBA U19 World Cup.

“Nothing but love,” said Rana. And then they moved on.