FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Emilio Giler, Sports Communication Director
Phone: 407.469.2561 x6102
andrea.colby@montverde.org
R.J. BARRETT – LEADING THE MONTVERDE ACADEMY VARSITY
TEAM TO A HISTORIC BASKETBALL SEASON
Senior student athlete earns accolades while leading team to a 35-0 season.
April 4, 2018 (Montverde, FL) – R.J. Barrett is a senior student athlete at Montverde Academy in Montverde, FL who has enjoyed an amazing 2017-18 season playing basketball as a Montverde Academy Eagle. To say he's just a basketball player is a major understatement. His dedication to being the best player he can be and his prowess on the court has earned him numerous accolades to include the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith High School Player of the Year, McDonalds All-American, Morgan Wootten Player of the Year, USA Today Player of the Year, MaxPreps Player of the Year, GEICO National High School Invitational Champion, and All-Time leading scorer in the history of the national tournament.
It has been a remarkable season for Barrett as well as the undefeated 35-0 Montverde Academy varsity basketball team. For Barrett it began in the summer of 2017, when he led Canada to its first ever gold medal in a FIBA event held in Egypt. He led the Under-19 team to a win in the international tournament and earned the Most Valuable Player award for his efforts. He returned to Montverde Academy for what became his senior season when he reclassified into the Class of 2018, was named the top prospect of his new class, committed to Duke, and led his school to an undefeated championship season.
"R.J. is one of the hardest working student athletes I have ever coached," said Coach Kevin Boyle, head basketball coach for Montverde Academy. "He won the gold medal with Canada and he has been an integral part of our team, leading us to an undefeated season. This is a dedicated athlete who has an uncanny ability to read the court, visualize the play and make it happen. With unwavering determination and focus he plays the best ball he can to win – which he accomplishes most of the time!"
Barrett averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He brought this focus and commitment to academics as well, earning a 3.1 GPA average. In addition, he shared his love of the game by volunteering for Basketball Buddies, a program for kids with special needs to learn basketball, serving as a mentor, coach and even official for participants. Next year, Barrett will be playing for Duke's Coach Mike Krzyzewski and looks to bring a national championship back to storied university.
"Duke was my dream school growing up," said Barrett. "It is very similar to Montverde Academy in how it challenges you both on and off the court, it was an easy pick. Working with Coach Boyle helped me build a solid foundation of skills that I can continue to improve upon. Going on to Duke to be a part of the team that Coach Krzyzewski has put together, next year is going to be crazy! But I'm looking forward to it and can't wait to see what new challenges are coming. I feel blessed and I'm grateful to my family and everyone who has helped me reach the goals I've dreamed of achieving."
About Montverde Academy:
Montverde Academy is an international, coeducational, independent college preparatory school for grades Pre-K3-12, with a boarding program serving students in grades 7-12, and post-graduate studies. Our mission is to inspire students to become knowledgeable leaders with global vision that instills a passion for learning, and that nurtures character development in a disciplined and diverse community. Visit Montverde.org for more information. For more news about Montverde Academy, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @mvaeagles.
