Former Duke forward RJ Barrett is projected to be the No. 3 pick in next month's NBA draft to the Knicks.
Asked what he feels he needs to do to improve at the next level, he kept it simple:
"Everything," Barrett told The Athletic's Shams Charania. "No one is perfect in one area of the game, so just continue to work on everything and be a complete player."
While the Pelicans are expected to draft Barrett's former Duke teammate Zion Williamson first overall and the Grizzlies reportedly setting their focus on Murray State guard Ja Morant at No. 2, that would leave Barrett available to the Knicks at No. 3.
Barrett, who averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists for a Duke team that reached the Elite Eight, said he wants to be one of the top two-way players when he makes the jump from college to the pros.
"My ball-handling ability, the way I pass and score, I really try to do everything on the court," Barrett said. "To try to do that at a high level will be a different task, but I think I'm ready for it."
Working with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, Barrett said he made some minor mechanical adjustments to his shot, but was able to improve it mostly because he grew more confident in it.
Sit-down with Duke's @RjBarrett6: Basketball motivations, touching a basketball for first time in France, improving his shot, Zion and Cam. "Zion taught me how to have more fun. His passion is unmatched. Cam taught me how to be smooth." pic.twitter.com/JhZGqawHDY
- Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 16, 2019
As a 6-foot-7, 202-pound freshman, Barrett scored 33 points in his college debut and matched it in a pivotal matchup against rival North Carolina later that year.
Barrett told Charania he learned a lot from both Williamson and Cam Reddish, also a projected lottery pick. From Williamson, it was a passionate mindset. From Reddish, it was being smooth on the court.
"We all have the same mentality," Barrett said. "We're gonna work hard and we're gonna have fun playing basketball and not get wrapped up in everything on the outside. Going through all that together kept us grounded."
On a team with three projected lottery picks, each player had a competitive mindset. And Barrett wants to carry that over into the NBA.
"Who wouldn't say they're the best player?" Barrett said. "It's like you have to have that mentality if you want to be the best. I'm glad I was able to play with guys like that."