Canadian RJ Barrett sets ACC freshman single-season scoring record

Duke-Barrett-dunks-basketball

Duke's RJ Barrett drives for a dunk. (Gerry Broome/AP)

Duke Blue Devils freshman phenom RJ Barrett entered the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) record books on Saturday, setting a new freshman single-season scoring record in the team’s loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Barrett’s 26-point performance helped the Canadian reach 724 points on the season, which now ranks as the highest scoring season by a freshman in ACC history. Georgia Tech alumni Kenny Anderson held the previous record with 721 points, a mark that wasn’t surpassed for 29 seasons.

Already without the services of projected No. 1 pick Zion Williamson, Barrett has had to carry Duke’s scoring load more than ever for nearly three weeks. The Mississauga, ON. native has averaged 26.2 points since Williamson suffered a knee injury on Feb. 20, an uptick from his season average of 23.3 points per game.

Many consider Barrett to be basketball’s second-best prospect heading into the upcoming NBA draft in June.

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