It was a good day for RJ Barrett on the international stage.
The Knicks star had a 31-point day for Canada against Germany in the finale of the DBB SuperCup tournament.
Barrett was instrumental in Canada’s 113-112 overtime win.
The game was serving as a tune-up as Canada prepares for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, which begins later this month.
Barrett’s effort included scoring 11 of Canada’s final 17 points in the come-from-behind victory.
He also shot 13-of-14 and was a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range.
That’s without mentioning that Barrett scored the game-tying basket with 4.6 seconds left in regulation.
Barrett drove toward the basket and through two defenders before getting a layup to fall to even the score at 101.
He also added five rebounds, an assist and a steal.
“Overall, he was outstanding. Very efficient offensively,” Canada head coach Jordi Fernández told Canada Basketball’s website. “He’s been very clean with his decision-making, running the floor and attacking the paint, so this is exactly what we needed from him. This is exactly the production we want.”
All of this comes after Barrett had a good showing for Canada as it prepared for the World Cup.
He put up 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting against New Zealand in the previous game and had a 12-point effort against Germany in Canada’s first tune-up game.
Barrett credited the players around him for making it easy for him on the court.
“It felt good. [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander], [Kelly Olynyk] and the guys are out there making it easy for me to do my thing, but it’s been a lot of fun,” Barrett said.
Barrett wasn’t the only Knick that had a big day on the international stage.
Jalen Brunson had 22 points for the United States against Spain.
The 23-year-old’s performance can only be a good sign for Canada and the Knicks, who would like to see a confident Barrett once training camp opens.
Barrett is coming off a 2022-23 season in which he averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 73 games for New York.
