Last Updated on October 3, 2026 by Candida Lucia
RJ Barrett comes from one of Canada’s most recognizable basketball families. Born Rowan Alexander Barrett Jr. in Toronto, Ontario, the Toronto Raptors star is the son of former Canadian national-team captain Rowan Barrett Sr. and former track athlete Kesha Duhaney. Athletic talent runs throughout both sides of his family, and basketball was part of RJ’s life almost from birth.
Barrett grew up alongside his younger brother, Nathan Barrett, and has frequently spoken about the importance of his parents and family in his career. His father became a leading executive with Canada Basketball, while his mother competed in track and field at St. John’s University. Away from basketball, RJ keeps his romantic life extremely private, and reliable information about a girlfriend or children remains limited.
Who Is RJ Barrett’s Girlfriend?
RJ Barrett has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend or wife. Although some entertainment and celebrity websites have linked the Canadian basketball player to a woman identified only as Hailey, there has been no confirmation from Barrett himself or strong reporting from established sports outlets establishing his current relationship status.
Barrett generally keeps his private life away from interviews and social media coverage. Most of the personal information he discusses publicly concerns his parents, his late brother Nathan and his wider basketball family.
For that reason, claims naming a specific woman as RJ Barrett’s girlfriend should be treated cautiously unless Barrett publicly confirms the relationship.
Does RJ Barrett Have Children?
There is no reliable public information confirming that RJ Barrett has children. Major biographical sources, NBA profiles and recent features about Barrett and his family have not identified him as a father.
As of now, no son or daughter has been publicly confirmed by Barrett or through a reliable source.
Who Are RJ Barrett’s Parents?
RJ Barrett’s parents are Rowan Barrett Sr. and Kesha Duhaney. Both were accomplished athletes before their son became an NBA player, giving RJ a strong sporting background from both sides of his family.
Rowan Barrett Sr. – RJ Barrett’s Father
Rowan Barrett Sr. is RJ Barrett’s father. Born into a Jamaican family and raised in Toronto, Rowan developed into an accomplished basketball player long before his son reached the NBA.
He played college basketball at St. John’s University in New York before beginning a professional career that took him to leagues in Europe and other parts of the world. Rowan also became a longtime member of Canada’s national basketball team.
One of the most important moments of his international career came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he captained Canada. More than two decades later, RJ followed his father to the Olympic stage while wearing the same No. 9 for Canada.
After retiring as a player, Rowan moved into basketball administration. He currently serves as Canada Basketball’s General Manager and Executive Vice-President of Men’s High Performance, remaining heavily involved in the development of the Canadian national team.
Rowan also played an important role in RJ’s development. Growing up around his father’s professional teams allowed RJ to experience elite basketball environments from a very young age.
Kesha Duhaney – RJ Barrett’s Mother
Kesha Duhaney is RJ Barrett’s mother. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has Jamaican family roots.
Like her husband, Kesha was a talented athlete. She competed in track and field at St. John’s University, where she was known as a sprinter and long jumper. It was also at St. John’s that she met Rowan Barrett Sr.
Kesha later pursued a professional career outside sports, including work in banking. However, athletics remained an important part of the family environment in which RJ and his younger brother were raised.
RJ has credited his mother’s side of the family for some of his athletic ability. Kesha’s sister, Dahlia Duhaney, competed internationally for Jamaica and was part of Jamaica’s gold-medal-winning 4×100-metre relay squad at the 1991 World Championships.
Who Are RJ Barrett’s Siblings?
RJ Barrett had one younger brother, Nathan Tyler Barrett. Duke University’s official biography listed Nathan as RJ’s brother, and the two shared a close relationship despite spending periods apart because of school, basketball and RJ’s professional career.
Nathan Barrett – RJ Barrett’s Younger Brother
Nathan Barrett followed his older brother into athletics. He attended Montverde Academy in Florida, the same prestigious school where RJ became one of the highest-rated high-school basketball prospects in the United States.
Nathan participated in basketball and track and field but ultimately developed interests outside professional sport as well. He later attended university and was pursuing his ambition of becoming a pilot.
The Barrett family announced that Nathan died on March 12, 2024. Following his death, RJ stepped away temporarily from the Toronto Raptors to spend time with his family.
When he later returned to basketball, RJ spoke about how difficult the loss had been and said that continuing to play and strengthen the Barrett family legacy was something he believed Nathan would have wanted him to do.
Nathan remains an important part of the Barrett family’s story, and RJ has continued to honor his younger brother while pursuing his NBA and international basketball career.
RJ Barrett Comes From an Athletic Family
Athletic success extends well beyond RJ and his father. His mother competed in collegiate track and field, while several members of her family were also accomplished athletes.
RJ’s maternal aunt, Dahlia Duhaney, represented Jamaica internationally as a sprinter. She was part of Jamaica’s 4×100-metre relay team that won gold at the 1991 World Championships and later competed at the Olympic Games.
RJ’s maternal grandparents also had backgrounds in athletics, strengthening the sporting tradition on his mother’s side of the family.
On his father’s side, basketball became the dominant sport. Rowan Barrett Sr.’s lengthy international career exposed RJ to professional basketball while he was still a child.
Steve Nash Is RJ Barrett’s Godfather
Basketball Hall of Famer Steve Nash is RJ Barrett’s godfather. Nash and Rowan Barrett Sr. developed a friendship while playing together with Canada’s national basketball program.
The friendship became so close that Nash became part of the Barrett family’s life. RJ has therefore had connections with two of the most important figures in modern Canadian basketball since childhood: his father and his godfather.
Those relationships helped introduce Barrett to the culture of Canada’s national basketball program years before he eventually became one of its leading players.
RJ Barrett’s Jamaican Heritage
RJ Barrett has strong Jamaican roots through both sides of his family. His father was born to Jamaican parents, while his mother’s family also has deep Jamaican connections.
His Jamaican heritage is particularly visible through his maternal family’s history in track and field, including the international career of his aunt Dahlia Duhaney.
At the same time, Barrett was born in Toronto and grew up largely in Mississauga, Ontario, making his Canadian identity another central part of his family’s story.
FAQ About RJ Barrett’s Family
Who is RJ Barrett’s girlfriend?
RJ Barrett has not publicly confirmed a current girlfriend. Some online reports have linked him romantically to a woman identified as Hailey, but the relationship has not been reliably confirmed by Barrett or major sports sources.
Is RJ Barrett married?
No marriage has been publicly confirmed for RJ Barrett. There is currently no reliable evidence that he has a wife.
Does RJ Barrett have children?
There are no publicly confirmed reports that RJ Barrett has any children.
Who are RJ Barrett’s parents?
RJ Barrett’s parents are Rowan Barrett Sr. and Kesha Duhaney.
Who is RJ Barrett’s father?
RJ Barrett’s father is Rowan Barrett Sr., a former professional basketball player and Canadian Olympian who currently serves as General Manager and Executive Vice-President of Men’s High Performance for Canada Basketball.
Who is RJ Barrett’s mother?
RJ Barrett’s mother is Kesha Duhaney, a former St. John’s University track-and-field athlete who competed as a sprinter and long jumper.
Did RJ Barrett have a brother?
Yes. RJ Barrett had one younger brother named Nathan Tyler Barrett. Nathan attended Montverde Academy and was involved in basketball and track and field before later pursuing studies with the goal of becoming a pilot.
What happened to RJ Barrett’s brother Nathan?
Nathan Barrett died on March 12, 2024. The Barrett family publicly announced his death and asked for privacy while mourning their loss.
Does RJ Barrett have a sister?
Reliable biographical sources identify Nathan as RJ Barrett’s only sibling and do not document a sister.
Is Steve Nash related to RJ Barrett?
Steve Nash is not RJ Barrett’s biological relative, but he is his godfather. Nash was a close friend and Canadian national-team teammate of RJ’s father, Rowan Barrett Sr.
Is RJ Barrett Jamaican?
RJ Barrett is Canadian and has Jamaican ancestry through his family. Both his paternal and maternal families have Jamaican roots.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
