The Toronto Raptors have had to have a next-man-up mentality all year. Recently, Jonathan Mogbo has had to answer the call, with Scottie Barnes or Jakob Poeltl out due to injuries over the last few games. Mogbo has fit into his new role as a starter, seamlessly showing why Masai Ujiri made sure to secure Mogbo with the 31st pick in the draft. While he may lose his spot in the starting five once everyone is healthy, Mogbo has shown the potential to be a high-impact player over this recent stretch and the season.
The Raptors Second Round Pick Jonathan Mogbo is Living up to His Potential
Mogbo Exstending His Range
In college, Mogbo played an old-school style of offense, doing all of his damage within the paint. In his two years playing D-1 ball, Mogbo took just two threes total, going 0-2. He also struggled at the free throw line, shooting 57.8% across his two seasons with San Francisco and Missouri State. As an undersized big in the NBA, you have to be able to pose a threat as a shooter, at least. While Mogbo still has a ways to go to be considered a threat, he has shown a willingness to add a three to his arsenal.
Through the first 28 games, Mogbo has already taken more than ten times the number of threes he did in his last two years in college, shooting 7-23 or 30.4% from deep. He is also shooting 70.5% from the free-throw line on 44 attempts, which is a good indicator of his shooting potential. Mogbo will probably never be a guy who shoots four to five threes a night or hits them at a 40% clip. However, Mogbo has the potential to become someone who punishes teams for leaving him open from deep.
Perfect Connector
While his individual offense needs work, Mogbo excels as a connector and playmaker for others. In transition, Mogbo isn’t afraid to handle the ball, being able to go coast to coast off a rebound or lead the break after forcing a steal. With Mogbo handling the ball in these spots, it forces his defender, who is usually the opposing team’s best shot blocker, to step out of the paint to stop the ball. That then opens up driving lanes for others Mogbo knows how to exploit.
Mogbo operates like a composer in the halfcourt, patiently waiting before hitting all the right notes to help the offense sing. As the roll man, Mogbo can hit the drop-off pass to another big or swing it out to a shooter. When he gets the chance to set up in the halfcourt, Mogbo operates much like Poeltl, being able to find cutters out of post/face-up opportunities. He also excels at kicking the ball out after grabbing an offensive rebound, letting the team reset. For the season, Mogbo is averaging 1.8 assists to 0.9 turnovers or an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.0, which is seventh-best among rookies who have played 15 or more minutes.
Mogbo Presence On The Glass
Mogbo was an elite rebounder at college, leading the Men’s West Cost Conference in rebounds in his final year. This knack for cleaning the glass has carried over to the NBA, where Mogbo has helped turn the Raptors into one of the best rebounding teams in the league. Mogbo has an incredibly quick second jump, which he uses to his advantage by batting the ball back up on his first jump before quickly rising back up for it. He also has excellent hands that let him control the ball even without getting a full grasp on it.
Even when Mogbo gets boxed out initially, he has many moves to get by his defender and grab the board. All of these tools help Mogbo be an elite offensive rebounder. For the season, Mogbo is averaging 2 OREB and has more games with three or more offensive rebounds than zero. Of course, he is also a good defensive rebounder, but he really shines on the offensive glass.
Defensive Versatility
Since trading OG Anunoby, the Raptors have been missing a defender who can switch from one to five. While Mogbo isn’t at the same level as defender Anunoby, his versatility is comparable. With a 7-foot-2 wingspan and well-built, Mogbo can and does guard up in size well, playing a good chunk of his minutes as a small ball five. However, he is quick enough to switch onto a guard and bottle them up. Mogbo has a great motor, always looking to pick a pass off or poke the ball loose when guarding on-ball. Despite how active he is defensively, fouls haven’t been a problem, with him averaging just 1.9 a game and having more games with zero fouls than four or more. Mogbo is already a good defender in his rookie season and has the making and instincts to be great.
Last Word On Mogbo
Mogbo will need to improve his scoring package to reach his full potential, but the makings of a high-impact player are all there. He can defend multiple positions, play-make standing still or on the move, handle the ball, and rebound at an extremely high level. With the growth he has shown already offensively and the Raptors’ elite development staff, Mogbo is in a perfect place to reach his full potential. If he does, he could be the steal of this draft.
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