RJ Barrett addresses 19-year-old brother’s death for first time: ‘A lot tougher’

Raptors forward RJ Barrett spoke out for the first time since the March 12 death of his younger brother, Nathan Barrett.

“I’ve had some people in my life, but this one hit a little harder for me,” Barrett said of his 19-year-old brother at Toronto’s Friday practice — his first with the team since Nathan’s passing. “This one is definitely a little different, its a lot tougher, and I just think that you’ve gotta push forward everyday, gotta be able to try to figure it out.

“If I know my brother, he would want me to be here, to be playing, to try to continue to make the Barrett legacy grow.”

The Barrett family confirmed Nathan’s death in a statement released by the Raptors and Canada Basketball, which not disclose a cause, though it was reported he had been ill for weeks.

Their father, Rowan Barrett, is Canada Basketball’s general manager.

“While our family is devastated by this great loss, we will continue to cherish the memories and time spent together,” the statement said. “Nathan was a God-fearing young man of strong character. He was thoughtful, kind, loving, compassionate, creative, admirable and driven.”

Nathan, a 6-foot-1 guard, played high school basketball at Montverde Academy in Florida and was studying to be a pilot.

“He’s growing up way too fast, every time I see him he’s getting taller, he’s like starting to wear my shoes now and stuff, so it’s crazy,” RJ told The Post’s Steve Serby in June of 2023. “He’s more a point guard, but he’s really aggressive.”