Getting set for Raptors’ Summer League slate

What you need to know: schedule, players, and more

Summer League in Las Vegas is always a fun first look at the new draftees and a great learning curve for sophomores. It also provides a window for undrafted guys or those still trying to crack an NBA roster to be out in front of tons of players, coaches, and team personnel.

There’s been some great stories coming out of summer league and standout performances that have given us a taste of the next generation of NBA talent, and it all continues over the next week.

For teams that are rebuilding and those that selected in the lottery, it’s even more exciting since in a lot of cases, these players could be a big part of the team’s future. With a draft that didn’t necessarily have a clear frontrunner and some unexpected rising and falling, this will be especially intriguing to watch them touch the court for the first time.

A few teams have already had some games in the Summer League games in California and Utah, as well as the kick-off games in Vegas last night, but for Raptors fans, this will be the first chance to get a look at the new talent joining the roster.

The Raptors will play four games:

vs. OKC Saturday, July 13 at 8:30pm ET on TSN

vs. Denver Sunday, July 14 at 9:30pm ET on Sportsnet

vs. Utah Wednesday, July 17 at 5pm ET on Sportsnet

vs. Miami Friday, July 19 at 9pm ET on TSN

Future games are then based on their ranking. They will either enter the semifinals, held on July 21, or play a final game on July 20 or July 21 if they are not one of the top four teams.

The Raptors announced their 16-man roster for summer league on July 7, although yesterday they announced Drew Timme had been released.

Some notable inclusions were Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick, along with the Raptors’ draftees, 2-ways, and some other familiar faces, but to get a better idea of the roster and who’s who, let’s take a quick look:

Players with NBA Experience

Gradey Dick (6’7” – Guard/Forward)

This should be the easiest one for sure. Last year’s 13th draft pick, Gradey played in college for the University of Kansas. Since arriving in Toronto he’s averaged 8.5/2.2/1.1 on about 43% shooting. He’s an elite 3-point shooter and floor spacer, and has always shown a mindset of trying to grow and get better to help contribute to the team. It’s not surprising the Raps want to send him to Vegas to get some more live game play and see the chemistry he can build with the new guys.

Ochai Agbaji (6’5” – Guard/Forward)

While Ochai has already played two full NBA seasons, this isn’t much of a surprise either. The Raptors acquired him via trade with Utah back in February, but he struggled at times with the switch, especially from long distance where he was making only 21.7% of his shots. He only got to play 27 games though, averaging 6.7/3.3/1.3, so this is a perfect opportunity to get a little bit of run and hopefully work on his 3-point shooting.

Players with Previous Toronto Raptors Experience

DJ Carton (6’3” – Guard)

During the wave of injuries late last year, DJ was one of the players that got a 10-day contract. He’d been playing in the G-League with the Iowa Wolves, averaging 20.8/3/7.1 in 15 games there, and showed enough upside to get the callup from the Raps. Since then, his contract has been converted to a two year 2-way contract. He played four games with the Raptors, averaging 2.8/1/0.8 per game, but an ankle injury sidelined him. Now he’s healthy and this is a great chance for him to get some runs.

Javon Freeman-Liberty (6’3” – Guard)

Javon started the year playing with the 905, averaging 24.2/6.8/4.3 per game. Throughout the season he often spoke of wanting to be a good teammate and show the Raptors organization what he was capable of. This turned into a callup for him as well, and he ended up appearing in 22 games for the Raptors, averaging 7/3.2/1.8 and helping facilitate a lot of the offence in the absence of the injured guys. He is very quick and fearless on the court, and will likely bring a significant scoring punch to this summer league team.

Previous G-Leauge Experience

Omari Moore (6’6” – Guard)

After going undrafted, he spent last season as a member of the 905, averaging 9.2/3.8/3.9 in 29 games, throughout a tumultuous season for them with lots of turnover and little consistency. In the offseason, he joined the CEBL and is playing for the Niagara River Lions. He appeared in 12 games for them, averaging 11.4/5.5/5.8 per game. He also cashed in a triple double back in June, helping carry his team to victory.

This year’s Draft

Ja’Kobe Walter (6’4” – Guard)

With the 19th pick, the Raptors took Ja’Kobe who has drawn comparisons to a younger Gary Trent Jr., but with higher upside. He averaged 14.5/4.4/1.4 for Baylor, but struggled somewhat to shoot it efficiently, not an uncommon problem for younger players to have. The organization has already said it’s likely that he’ll bounce back and forth between the 905 and Raptors as he develops, but this is a great first opportunity for fans to get a look at him and the organization to figure out what to work on with him first.

Jonathan Mogbo (6’6” – Forward)

As the 31st pick, Mogbo could be an asset as he’s strong, both offensively and defensively, and has a good feel for the game. His shooting needs the most work though, as he struggles even from the free-throw line. For San Francisco, he averaged 14.2/10.1/3.6 last year, having a bit of a breakout season and earning some WCC accolades in his final season.

Jamal Shead (6’0” – Guard)

Acquired via trade with Sacramento, Jamal was picked 45th overall. He played four seasons in Houston, most recently averaging 12.9/3.7/6.3 per game in his final season. Although undersized, he’s very tough and physical, and likely was selected due to his defensive prowess. He’s a good passer as well, and since he will more than likely spend time with the 905, this will be a huge asset to them, especially since they struggled with it last season.

2-ways

Branden Carlson (7’0” – Center)

Branden spent all 5 years of his eligibility with Utah, averaging 17/6.6/1.6 per game in his final season. He’s a solid shooter, even beyond the arc, knocking down 37.9% of his shots on high volume. He’s an older player, but is fairly intriguing, especially if he is able to expand his skillset at his size. The Raptors have decided he’s worth a look, and have signed him as one of their two-ways for the season after he went undrafted.

Ulrich Chomche (6’10” – Center)

Drafted 57th by the Wolves, Toronto offered cash considerations in return for him, inking him to a two-way contract that was finalized last Saturday. He was the youngest player in the draft and meets the prototype of a Raptors player, but doesn’t have much to go off of since he spent last season playing only three qualifying games for Basketball Africa League. He averaged 13/9/3 with 3 blocks per game in that span, also exhibiting fairly good defence. This will be one of the more intriguing players to watch, as more development could turn him into an excellent prospect, especially at his size.

Undrafted Guys

Jamison Battle (6’7” – Forward)

Jamison spent 5 seasons collegiately, playing for George Washington, Minnesota, and most recently Ohio State, averaging 15.3/5.2/1.4 this past year. He shot 43.4% from beyond the arc, and has shown the ability to create his own shot off the bounce. He should be able to help space the floor for this team, and if he’s able to draw fouls on the drive he’s a phenomenal free-throw shooter as well.

Dylan Disu (6’9” – Forward)

Another 5-year senior, he averaged 15.5/5/1.5 with the Texas longhorns this season. He shot 45.1% from long range, taking almost 4 per game. He can help stretch the floor with those numbers, and at his size, this could be an asset. He has been able to create some of his own offence as well, and if he takes care of the ball, this could add more scoring punch for this team as well.

Joseph Girard III (6’2” – Guard)

The Raptors worked him out back in June and prior to the draft so there is already some familiarity between camps. Girard spent all five years of eligibility at the collegiate level playing for Clemson. In his most recent season, he averaged 15.1/3.2/2.9 on 43% shooting and 41% from long range.

Quincy Guerrier (6’8” – Forward)

Born in Montreal, Quincy spent his collegiate career playing in Syracuse, Oregon, and then his final year of eligibility in Illinois, where he averaged 9.6/6.1 with 37.4% shooting from long range. He offers some size and scoring, and his athleticism helps him defensively and rebounding.

Tylor Perry (5’11” – Guard)

After playing two years at Coffeyville Community College, Tylor spent the next two seasons in North Texas before making his way to Kansas State where he most recently averaged 15.3/3/4.4 per game. He shot a high volume of 3s, but only cashed about 33.5% of them, a significant drop from his first two seasons. He’s undersized, but if he’s able to improve his long range shooting back to where it was before this year, he can help space the floor and provide an option both in catch and shoot, and off dribble actions.

Although this is just “meaningless” basketball, it is certainly fun to watch the new talent, especially on a rebuilding team where any of these guys could crack the rotation at some point. The way the roster has been constructed and the inclusion of guys with NBA experience are also strong indicators that there could be some hope this year of a Summer League playoff appearance, although as long as they finish better than the 1-4 from last summer, that’s a silver lining.

At least we don’t have to wait any longer, so make sure you tune in tonight to watch them face Oklahoma City at 8:30pm ET on TSN.