RJ Barrett’s younger brother Nathan ‘fell ill and had been at home for several weeks’ before his shock death at the age of 19, according to a new report.
No cause of death has yet been revealed for the teenager, who was training to be a pilot alongside his amateur basketball career.
RJ – four years his senior – has been away from the Toronto Raptors for ‘personal reasons’ since Wednesday as he and his family continue to grieve.
According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Nathan ‘fell ill’ weeks before his death and had been at home with his family before his death on Tuesday.
In a statement shared by the Toronto Raptors and Canada Basketball on behalf of the Barrett family, it was revealed that Nathan died ‘surrounded by his family, church and friends.’
NBA star RJ played on Monday in the Raptors’ loss to the Denver Nuggets, but has since missed games against the Pistons and Magic, and is expected to also be away for another game against Orlando on Sunday.
There is no timeline for his return as his family continues to grieve their tragic loss.
News of Nathan’s death first broke online on Thursday when his former youth coach Chris Stewart paid an emotional tribute.
Stewart coached both RJ and Nathan Barrett in the Mississauga Monarchs in their native Canada.
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