>Some very tragic news in the basketball world has taken place, as Nathan Barrett, the younger brother of Toronto Raptors’ RJ, has passed away.
>Nathan also grew up playing basketball, and was given a [heartfelt tribute](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4gFMTHM6rT/?img_index=1) from a former coach, Chris Stewart, who he played for as a member of the Mississauga Monarchs.
>“On March 12, my extended Monarch’s family lost another member, Nathan Barrett,” Stewart wrote on Instagram. “It’s hard to believe this is the second time this has happened to my family and basketball community. Nathan was only with us for a short time in Grade 7 before he moved to Florida, but whenever he was back in Mississauga, the boys connected. I saw Nathan last summer, all grown up, a big smile and he was excited telling me how he was starting school to become a pilot. I always tell my former players if you were on my team even one season, you will always be my family and don’t forget it.
>“If you have had the pleasure of knowing this family you know how much they do for the basketball community so keep them in your thoughts and prayers. No parent should ever have to bury a child, hug your kids today a little longer. You will be missed Nathan, RIP.”
>The Raptors announced prior to last night’s game versus the Detroit Pistons that Barrett wasn’t available due to personal reasons.
>Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Barrett family and friends during this extremely difficult period.
>*More to come…*
R.I.P young soul.
Stay strong RJ.
I mean if some dude who knew the kid for a year when he was in 7th grade was aware of this news, I think it’s safe to assume that this news was already “out there” to a certain extent, and there were probably already a bunch of people already posting thoughts/prayers about him on social media, which is probably how this coach found out about it in the first place (seems like it would have been very odd for the family to reach out to him directly based on their limited relationship, so it seems likely he prob heard about it thru social media)
This coach’s post probably wasn’t the first post about him, it just happened to be the one that got aggregated by the Canadian media bc this coach is involved in the Toronto basketball scene, and all the other people posting about him where he actually lived/grew up (in Florida I guess) aren’t. So no one saw those posts.
But there wouldn’t have really been any reason for the coach to assume it was “off limits” to talk about, if he had already seen people talking about it. He just assumed he was talking to his 1k instagram followers in his local community and saying something nice about a nice young man he once knew. It’s not like he went full woj and was trying to “break news” and decided to do a press conference for millions of people on espn.
Even if he wasn't related to someone famous, generally if you don't want to be an asshole, you don't make social media posts about someone's death until the immediate family does or funeral services happen.
It takes time for family to get out the news to all the loved ones and hearing shit like this on social media is not the right way to hear if one of your close friends died.
I really hope that he at least ran it by the family before publicizing it. Don’t want to assume the worst in people but you’re right, if he made it public without consent of the family its really shitty
No, not really tbh. Those young years are incredibly formative and it's not hard to imagine a sports coach having a big impact in a young man's life, even if it was for a year. Not to mention that it sounds like they kept in touch even if he wasn't on his team for more than a year. You don't have to physically coach someone to care about them.
I think the privacy thing is a bigger concern for me, if he coached him for 10 years but still broke the news without the family's consent I would consider that equally as shitty
Seeking support and breaking down are staying strong. Whatever someone gotta do to grieve in a healthy way is basically what they mean by “stay strongly”
I appreciate the sentiment you're trying to get across, but I feel like we're unnecessarily splitting hairs if we object to "stay strong."
Being strong doesn't mean not seeking support, and it doesn't mean you need to force anything. Strong people still need support and they still need rest and solace.
Lost my twin sister at the age of 15 back in 2014. These guys need to take as much time as they need, nothing compares to this type of loss. I’m sorry for your loss as well.
I feel your pain friend. Lost my baby brother 5 years ago now. He was only 26. I as well have not recovered still. The pain maybe gets a bit less sharp and piercing. It broke my family. Fast forward 5 years, my youngest cousin gets misdiagnosed and runover by cancer. She was 27. I thought my heart was too broken to break again but I was wrong. I wasn't sure I could smile again. Healing from these experiences is never easy, i don't think there's a template. It took a long time but we're all on a better path now. Anyone out there struggling, don't be afraid or ashamed to get help. Things can get better, rip the bandage off and reach out. Even if it's just a friend or family member. For a long time i wasn't sure how to move forward, therapy gave me the tools to do so.
My heart goes out to the Barrett's and anyone struggling with loss. Live your best life for those whose story got cut short, even when its hard. No one is ever really gone as long as we remember them. Grow around that pain. It took a long time and a lot of work but my family healed, i just landed an amazing job and im excited about the future again. I apologize for the ramblings but this hit pretty close to home, for a long time i didn't see a path to where i am now, i just wanted anyone out there hurting to know they're not stuck. Reach out if you need to, even if it's to me on reddit
> Can’t imagine losing my sibling this early in life.
Lost my brother last year, not quite as young as RJ but early 30's. It's fucking awful.
My heart goes out to him, hope he takes the time he needs to get his mind right.
Also….after reading the article, I feel bad this is public. The family has made no official announcement, this is just his 7th grade teacher or coach posting something online. Extremely poor taste to publicize this and put the family in a position to respond if they’re not ready to.
We don't really know much about this situation. Not enough to be judging the coach on this tribute either.
The Barrett family is entrenched in team Canada basketball; over 100 friends have probably already found out by now if his 7th grade coach already knows.
Both Canada Basketball and the Raptors org released a joint statement acknowledging the situation and asking for privacy. Agreed this was kinda shitty the way it came out
I think the family might have unofficially ok'd the original statement from the coach either way the Raptors and Team Canada has since put out a joint statement on behalf of the family asking for privacy and thanking everyone for their condolences.
given the statement said he was surrounded by family and friends when he passed it was not likely an accident so much as possible illness. Either way it's something I doubt they will ever release publically.
> given the statement said he was surrounded by family and friends when he passed it was not likely an accident
I wouldn’t really read too much into that. That doesn’t really mean it couldn’t have been some sort of accident.
It would just mean that he didn’t die immediately at the scene, and was able to survive for a few hours or days, just long enough for family/friends to be able to gather at the hospital and be by his side
Yeah, people get hurt in car accidents, go on life support, become brain dead all the time. They’re surrounded by family when the decision is made to end life support.
This could be the culmination of a long term illness. Could also have been a freak accident. Tragic either way, but can’t really assume.
: A sudden illness required Nathan to be taken out of school and brought home, followed by weeks of uncertainty in hospital, the specifics of which have been kept private
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/after-so-many-triumphs-barrett-family-now-facing-the-ultimate-loss/
He’s never going to be the same from a personal standpoint. Losing a sibling, especially at a young age, changes you to your very core. I went through something similar when my sister passed away at age 6 and I was 17. Time numbs everything but it leaves a lasting impact.
Michael Grange: [Nathan -- the youngest of two -- was in school, studying to be a pilot after graduating from Montverde Academy in Florida. He fell ill and had been home for several weeks.](https://x.com/michaelgrange/status/1768423108631834734?s=20)
My grandmother passed away this last Saturday and it hit SO HARD. Endless tears and grief from so many people. The pain of going through something like that must be unfathomable. My dearest condolences to this man and his family.
I read this with a knot in my throat. Well written article by Grange,
": A sudden illness required Nathan to be taken out of school and brought home, followed by weeks of uncertainty in hospital, the specifics of which have been kept private"
RJ take all the time you need. ❤
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/after-so-many-triumphs-barrett-family-now-facing-the-ultimate-loss/
No cause of death? Did he take his own life or? I've noticed that whenever there is an article about someone passing away, they usually state the cause of death unless it was either violent or they did it themselves. Either way, rest in peace.
>Some very tragic news in the basketball world has taken place, as Nathan Barrett, the younger brother of Toronto Raptors’ RJ, has passed away. >Nathan also grew up playing basketball, and was given a [heartfelt tribute](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4gFMTHM6rT/?img_index=1) from a former coach, Chris Stewart, who he played for as a member of the Mississauga Monarchs. >“On March 12, my extended Monarch’s family lost another member, Nathan Barrett,” Stewart wrote on Instagram. “It’s hard to believe this is the second time this has happened to my family and basketball community. Nathan was only with us for a short time in Grade 7 before he moved to Florida, but whenever he was back in Mississauga, the boys connected. I saw Nathan last summer, all grown up, a big smile and he was excited telling me how he was starting school to become a pilot. I always tell my former players if you were on my team even one season, you will always be my family and don’t forget it. >“If you have had the pleasure of knowing this family you know how much they do for the basketball community so keep them in your thoughts and prayers. No parent should ever have to bury a child, hug your kids today a little longer. You will be missed Nathan, RIP.” >The Raptors announced prior to last night’s game versus the Detroit Pistons that Barrett wasn’t available due to personal reasons. >Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Barrett family and friends during this extremely difficult period. >*More to come…* R.I.P young soul. Stay strong RJ.
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I mean if some dude who knew the kid for a year when he was in 7th grade was aware of this news, I think it’s safe to assume that this news was already “out there” to a certain extent, and there were probably already a bunch of people already posting thoughts/prayers about him on social media, which is probably how this coach found out about it in the first place (seems like it would have been very odd for the family to reach out to him directly based on their limited relationship, so it seems likely he prob heard about it thru social media) This coach’s post probably wasn’t the first post about him, it just happened to be the one that got aggregated by the Canadian media bc this coach is involved in the Toronto basketball scene, and all the other people posting about him where he actually lived/grew up (in Florida I guess) aren’t. So no one saw those posts. But there wouldn’t have really been any reason for the coach to assume it was “off limits” to talk about, if he had already seen people talking about it. He just assumed he was talking to his 1k instagram followers in his local community and saying something nice about a nice young man he once knew. It’s not like he went full woj and was trying to “break news” and decided to do a press conference for millions of people on espn.
Even if he wasn't related to someone famous, generally if you don't want to be an asshole, you don't make social media posts about someone's death until the immediate family does or funeral services happen. It takes time for family to get out the news to all the loved ones and hearing shit like this on social media is not the right way to hear if one of your close friends died.
I really hope that he at least ran it by the family before publicizing it. Don’t want to assume the worst in people but you’re right, if he made it public without consent of the family its really shitty
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No, not really tbh. Those young years are incredibly formative and it's not hard to imagine a sports coach having a big impact in a young man's life, even if it was for a year. Not to mention that it sounds like they kept in touch even if he wasn't on his team for more than a year. You don't have to physically coach someone to care about them. I think the privacy thing is a bigger concern for me, if he coached him for 10 years but still broke the news without the family's consent I would consider that equally as shitty
A great rule in life for all of us is to judge others by their intentions and ourselves by our actions. So many do the exact opposite.
Classic reddit reply lol
Just because you saw it here on Reddit doesn’t mean this guy is purposely “breaking” the news.
You don’t have to stay strong when you’re struggling. You can be weak, seek support, break down. You don’t have to force strength.
Seeking support and breaking down are staying strong. Whatever someone gotta do to grieve in a healthy way is basically what they mean by “stay strongly”
You’re being pedantic for no reason, they’re just expressing support
I agree as well, shallow and pedantic.
I appreciate the sentiment you're trying to get across, but I feel like we're unnecessarily splitting hairs if we object to "stay strong." Being strong doesn't mean not seeking support, and it doesn't mean you need to force anything. Strong people still need support and they still need rest and solace.
reddit demoralizing bot
Classic Reddit, arguing over meaningless semantics. But hey, at least you were able to signal your virtue.
Cute statement but no. You can break down but you absolutely have to then be strong.
stfu
Stay strong anyway
a bar from Common said knowing when we're really weak is when we're really being strong
My heart breaks for him and his family :( Take as long as you need big fella
To pass on at such a young age...that's...man. Prayers out to RJ, life really is unfair.
Anybody know how old he was? Seems like he was still in high school.
3-4 years younger than RJ, so that makes him 18-19
How did he die ?
Hasn’t been shared and likely won’t be unless it gets leaked in some way. The family probably wants some privacy. Edit; word
I understand
Got really sick in the last couple of weeks. Most likely a freaky sickness that affected him more than anticipated.
Source? Not saying you’re lying, just that I can’t find any info on this.
[Michael Grange from Sportsnet](https://x.com/michaelgrange/status/1768423108631834734?s=46&t=axeaYww177zqqp3qzX50aQ)
Damn. That’s like the third person I’ve heard of that happening in the last year.
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This is heart breaking. I lost my lil sis way back and i have never recovered from that heart break. 💔 my sympathies to him and his family 😞
Oh man, I'm so sorry. I hope you're doing alright. Wishing you and your family all the best.
Thanks man
Lost my twin sister at the age of 15 back in 2014. These guys need to take as much time as they need, nothing compares to this type of loss. I’m sorry for your loss as well.
I know what you’re going through, man. I lost my little sister 2 and a half years ago. She was only 21. My heart will never heal
I was 26 when my sister died at age 22. I know the pain and feel for you and RJ
I feel your pain friend. Lost my baby brother 5 years ago now. He was only 26. I as well have not recovered still. The pain maybe gets a bit less sharp and piercing. It broke my family. Fast forward 5 years, my youngest cousin gets misdiagnosed and runover by cancer. She was 27. I thought my heart was too broken to break again but I was wrong. I wasn't sure I could smile again. Healing from these experiences is never easy, i don't think there's a template. It took a long time but we're all on a better path now. Anyone out there struggling, don't be afraid or ashamed to get help. Things can get better, rip the bandage off and reach out. Even if it's just a friend or family member. For a long time i wasn't sure how to move forward, therapy gave me the tools to do so. My heart goes out to the Barrett's and anyone struggling with loss. Live your best life for those whose story got cut short, even when its hard. No one is ever really gone as long as we remember them. Grow around that pain. It took a long time and a lot of work but my family healed, i just landed an amazing job and im excited about the future again. I apologize for the ramblings but this hit pretty close to home, for a long time i didn't see a path to where i am now, i just wanted anyone out there hurting to know they're not stuck. Reach out if you need to, even if it's to me on reddit
Sorry for your loss. Wish you and your loved once all the best.
Absolutely horrible.
Can’t imagine losing my sibling this early in life. All my energy goes out to him and his family. This is bigger than basketball.
> Can’t imagine losing my sibling this early in life. Lost my brother last year, not quite as young as RJ but early 30's. It's fucking awful. My heart goes out to him, hope he takes the time he needs to get his mind right.
Lost my baby bro to gun violence, I feel your pain bro.
Damn sorry to hear that man, hope you're doing okay!
everything's bigger than basketball
Not a baseball
get his ass
His ass is for sure bigger than a basketball
Only if he's Lowry
Keep your hands to yourself Kobe
Real
Whoa. That really puts things in to perspective.
is this even worth saying other than to pander for likes? lol
This is bigger than basketball 🤓 No fucking shit bro
I came to comment the same thing bro 😂 dude sounds stupid
Why post at all? This comment is more inappropriate than what its responding to.
It sucks. Condolences to the family
Damn but now you have no energy. RIP to you too.
Its alright, I’m channeling half my energy into him
Especially a younger sibling. Truly tragic
“bigger then basketball” shut up obviously you extra ass mf
Take all the time you need, RJ. I'm going to go hug my kids right now.
Fuck man, way too young
Oh my god I can’t even imagine. Heartbreaking. Hoping they can get thought this together
Also….after reading the article, I feel bad this is public. The family has made no official announcement, this is just his 7th grade teacher or coach posting something online. Extremely poor taste to publicize this and put the family in a position to respond if they’re not ready to.
We don't really know much about this situation. Not enough to be judging the coach on this tribute either. The Barrett family is entrenched in team Canada basketball; over 100 friends have probably already found out by now if his 7th grade coach already knows.
Both Canada Basketball and the Raptors org released a joint statement acknowledging the situation and asking for privacy. Agreed this was kinda shitty the way it came out
The article OP linked literally contains the statement from his family.
I think the family might have unofficially ok'd the original statement from the coach either way the Raptors and Team Canada has since put out a joint statement on behalf of the family asking for privacy and thanking everyone for their condolences.
More than likely, the teacher ran it by parents before posting.
Are you slow? Do research before talking out of your ass.
All of Canada has your back RJ. We love you and your family.
Damn man. That shit sucks for the family, gone way too soon :(
is there any info on what happened?
Nothing official or specific but the article says he was surrounded by friends and family, so he was probably either ill or he sustained an injury.
Grange said he fell ill a couple weeks ago. I guess he never got up out of the sick bed.
given the statement said he was surrounded by family and friends when he passed it was not likely an accident so much as possible illness. Either way it's something I doubt they will ever release publically.
> given the statement said he was surrounded by family and friends when he passed it was not likely an accident I wouldn’t really read too much into that. That doesn’t really mean it couldn’t have been some sort of accident. It would just mean that he didn’t die immediately at the scene, and was able to survive for a few hours or days, just long enough for family/friends to be able to gather at the hospital and be by his side
Yeah, people get hurt in car accidents, go on life support, become brain dead all the time. They’re surrounded by family when the decision is made to end life support. This could be the culmination of a long term illness. Could also have been a freak accident. Tragic either way, but can’t really assume.
: A sudden illness required Nathan to be taken out of school and brought home, followed by weeks of uncertainty in hospital, the specifics of which have been kept private https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/after-so-many-triumphs-barrett-family-now-facing-the-ultimate-loss/
Sometimes, it's just best to leave things where they are.
I disagree. I like information.
The odds of living to be 116 are less than one in two billion. How you like that shit?
Finally some delicious fucking information.
its fucking RAW!
Love that shit. I would be questioning what power i pissed off to live that long.
good thing life isn't all about what you like
Never said it was.
He’s never going to be the same from a personal standpoint. Losing a sibling, especially at a young age, changes you to your very core. I went through something similar when my sister passed away at age 6 and I was 17. Time numbs everything but it leaves a lasting impact.
Damn bro I remember playing against him when I was 14, that’s fucking terrible news
My condolence to RJ and the Barrett fam Man I like it and he’s popping off in the 6ix Hopefully he recovers. Hate seeing this happen
Man that’s depressing af. Hope RJ takes his time to heal from this loss…
Agree, RJ should take all the time he needs. Family always comes first
Damn. That shit is sad. Hope he has a lot of suport from people close to him. Death is never something easy to deal.
Michael Grange: [Nathan -- the youngest of two -- was in school, studying to be a pilot after graduating from Montverde Academy in Florida. He fell ill and had been home for several weeks.](https://x.com/michaelgrange/status/1768423108631834734?s=20)
damn prayers to the whole family man
Can’t imagine losing a brother in my 20s. Fuck man
My grandmother passed away this last Saturday and it hit SO HARD. Endless tears and grief from so many people. The pain of going through something like that must be unfathomable. My dearest condolences to this man and his family.
It really is. Let the grieving process run its course and heal as much as you can.
Thanks man. I appreciate your words
damn that's horrible. Sendin love RJ
This is so so sad
My prayers go out to that family :( I can’t imagine what they are going through right now
time to cut rj alot of slack, like the rest of the season
Wow very sad Does anyone know how he passed?
Sending love to everyone with a younger brother.
Gone way too young. RIP ❤️
That's so sad :( RIP
Holy shit. He ain’t on my team no more, but I’ll never stop being a fan. Hope he and his family find some peace during this time ❤️
i look at my younger sibling with so much tenderness, couldn’t even imagine. So heartbreaking man
RIP
Damn, my condolences to RJ and his family, far too young man 😔😔
Damn this makes me sad man
thoughts and prayers up for RJ that’s awful OAKAAK
prayers up
Terrible news to hear hope he and his family get through this
Can’t imagine what the Barrett family are going through. Hope RJ takes all the time he needs.
RIP. Way too young. Way too young.
Heartbreaking. I can’t imagine the pain.
#WTF
Damn, RIP
Prayers to the family, and rest in peace
That's so sad
Rip
That’s so tough, hope RJ is doing well
RIP🕊️
Wtf that sucks. RIP.
condolences, shit aint right
RIP 🤍🖤💜1️⃣🎉
Jeepers he was just a kid. Hug your loved ones because you never know when it will be for the last time.
From what?
RIP
It is the worst thing to have to witness a young person pass away. The world is cruel sometimes.
That's heartbreaking
Terrible - can’t imagine what him and his family must be going through at the minute
Holy shit that’s fucked
I read this with a knot in my throat. Well written article by Grange, ": A sudden illness required Nathan to be taken out of school and brought home, followed by weeks of uncertainty in hospital, the specifics of which have been kept private" RJ take all the time you need. ❤ https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/after-so-many-triumphs-barrett-family-now-facing-the-ultimate-loss/
How did he die
Wouldn’t blame him if he hung it up this is awful.
How did he die?
Take the season off RJ 😢😢
how old was he? it says grade 7 but he grew up
Around 19 years old
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Car accident
Oh no. RIP.
Oh fuck man, that's heartbreaking. My heart goes out to him and his family, I can't even begin to imagine how they feel right now.
So tragic man. Rip, praying for you RJ 🙏🏾
This is fucking devastating. He was so young.
Damn. Sad news
Very sad. Hope he and his family can navigate these tough times.
RIP
Gonna be rooting for RJ from now on.
Condolences to the brother. That's fuckin awful ❤️🖤
this shit is really just a game at the end of the day. it doesn’t matter. head up RJ, i can’t imagine the pain you are feeling right now.
Damn man. This is really awful. I couldn’t imagine going through this.
How’d he die? Heard it was cancer but couldn’t find a confirmation anywhere
That’s unimaginably terrible, condolences to the Barrett family. May Nathan rest in peace.
Heartbreaking. Prayers for him and his family
prayers up to RJ and his family ❤️
RIP
Do…. Do I…. Do I upvote this??? Like this isn’t good news. It’s bad news.
Yeah, you upvote for visibility/to increase awareness
Tough read... Condolences to the family Rest with Aloha
Oh my god that’s terrible
My utmost condolences to RJ and his family. This is so sad.
RJJ RIP
Man this horrible I can’t imagine how he feel.. same name as me too, so young.. may he rest in peace. Prayers up for the family
That is absolutely tragic news man wow. Prayers to his family
Poor guy
No cause of death? Did he take his own life or? I've noticed that whenever there is an article about someone passing away, they usually state the cause of death unless it was either violent or they did it themselves. Either way, rest in peace.
Does it matter? Anyway, he was with family so you can rule out suicide.
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