NBA groups are at all times searching for a diamond within the tough — gamers that may are available and contribute, regardless of how they make it, are welcome on any group.
With Fred VanVleet’s record-breaking efficiency of most factors scored in a sport, not solely by a Raptor, but in addition by all undrafted gamers, surpassing NBA Corridor of Famer Moses Malone, it exhibits how precious they are often whenever you discover the best one.
Though the Raptors haven’t been within the league for so long as different groups, they actually have a knack for locating undrafted expertise.
Here’s a record of the very best undrafted gamers to ever play for the Toronto Raptors:
7. Jamario Moon
Jamario Moon stepped into the NBA in 2007 and have become a fan favorite in Toronto together with his athletic capability. He posted 8.5 factors and 6.2 rebounds per sport in his rookie yr whereas capturing 48.5 per cent from the sector and an inexpensive 32 per cent from three.
Nevertheless, it was his dunking capability that Raptors followers beloved. He was invited to compete within the 2008 dunk contest throughout All-Star Weekend. Exterior of that dunk contest, he didn’t do very a lot and left the Raptors after solely two seasons.
6. Alan Anderson
After going undrafted in 2005, Alan Anderson had journeys worldwide earlier than lastly touchdown in Toronto in 2012.
He performed with the Raptors for 2 seasons and served as a strong function participant. He put up 9.6 and 10.7 factors in these two seasons respectfully and was relied upon to protect the highest participant on opposing groups. Many occasions he matched up defensively with prime gamers like Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul Pierce.
Many followers typically referred to as Anderson egocentric, however he introduced toughness, expertise, capturing, and defence when the group struggled.
5. Jorge Garbajosa
Whereas his stint within the NBA was shorter than the 2 gamers under him on this record, “The Rubbish Man” was truly in a position to get an award.
In his first and solely full season with the Raptors, Jorge Garbajosa was named to the First All-NBA rookie group together with Raptors primary total decide Andrea Bargnani. He averaged 28.2 minutes with 8.5 factors on 42% subject aim capturing. Garbajosa was additionally a part of the 2008 Spain’s Olympic basketball group the place he received a silver medal.
Sadly, Garbajosa was by no means the identical after struggling a damaged fibula and solely performed in a handful of video games the next season earlier than being purchased out by the Raptors.
4. Mike James
Mike James was one other short-term Raptor, however he was actually productive. Earlier than Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams graced the Raptors with their one-year heroics, James was the earlier holder of greatest one-year Raptor.
When he joined the Raptors, in nearly a full season (79 video games), he put up a career-high 20.3 factors, 5.8 assists, and three.3 rebounds per sport with the group in 2006. 1 / 4 of the entire group’s positions went via James throughout his tenure, and he took benefit. These numbers didn’t translate into wins, however the 12-year-veteran was undoubtedly a strolling spotlight.
3. Chris Boucher
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Shifting from previous Raptors onto one that may be a present member.
Chris Boucher is beginning to get extra minutes from the Raptors coaches, and he’s proving to be a strong NBA participant. This season, Boucher is averaging 13 factors and 6.1 rebounds on 44 per cent capturing from three-point land.
He has already had seven video games this season with 20 or extra factors scored and is prime 5 within the league in blocks per sport (2.0).
Since shedding each Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, the group wanted to see some new faces take over the massive man manufacturing. To this point, the 28-year-old has carried out exceptionally properly.
2. Jose Calderon
One of many longest-tenured and well-liked Raptors of all-time wanted to be put excessive up on this record.
Jose Calderon ranks extremely in lots of all-time Raptors lists, together with prime 10 in video games performed, factors, assists, steals, and No. 1 in free throw share.
Throughout his eight seasons with Toronto, he was top-five within the NBA in assists per sport 4 occasions, led the whole NBA in free throw share with an astounding 98% in 2009, and led the NBA in three-point subject aim share with 46% in 2013.
1. Fred VanVleet
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His record-breaking sport was why Offside made this record within the first place, and he makes it to the highest of it.
Fred VanVleet was already a really productive participant with the Raptors however has taken it to an entire new stage. After scoring 54 factors in a single sport, he grew to become the highest Raptor and prime undrafted participant in NBA historical past to attain that many factors in a single sport.
Since his arrival to the group in 2016, VanVleet has steadily gotten higher, as his nickname “Regular Freddy” would point out. He performed a big function in serving to the Raptors declare their first-ever NBA championship in 2019. His defence on former MVP Stephen Curry was very important and he seemingly hit each massive shot the group wanted.
The Rockford, Illinois native has unquestionably been the very best undrafted Raptors participant of all-time and can solely get higher.
