LeBron James made a special mention to rookie Scottie Barnes after the Lakers prevailed over the Raptors in Toronto.
Barnes finished the contest with a career-high 31 points along with 17 rebounds and six assists.
“I saw Scottie Barnes for the first time in seventh grade, and I knew he was going to be special,” James told reporters on the post-game presser.
Barnes is third in rookie scoring with 15.5 points per game while adding 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest this season.
“It may have been a surprise to some of you guys, but it’s no surprise to me … it’s a beautiful thing to watch,” James continued.
Barnes has been special for the Toronto Raptors in the last 10 games putting up 19.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists with his team going 6-4 during this stint.
The Florida State product has been among the rookie performing in a high level on a winning team along with Evan Mobley, who is leading the race for the Rookie of the Year award.
Both players are part of a winning effort in Toronto and Cleveland with the possibility of making the first postseason in their rookie year being high.
The Raptors are seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 39-31 just a game behind the Cavaliers (40-30), who are facing several injuries. As of now. Mobley is holding the team in the top-six and the immediate participation in the postseason.
If the Raptors remain seventh, they will need to win one game to progress to the postseason.
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