The Toronto Raptors came out of the draft with a wealth of young talent, adding four rookies to their rebuilding roster. In Las Vegas Summer LeagueToronto got its first look at its new crop of promising young talent. While the rookies showed potential during Summer League, they both have significant questions hanging over them. The 2024-25 NBA season will be the rookies’ first chance to answer the biggest question about their games.
The Biggest Question Every Raptors Rookie Will Have to Answer Next Season
Ja’Kobe Walter
Question: What does he do on offense if his three-point shot misses?
Ja’Kobe Walter is a freshman at Baylor University. The Raptors selected Walter 19th overall in the draft, making him the team’s highest pick. Toronto has been tracking Walter since high school and believes in his potential as a three-point shooter. Walter has promising physical tools at 6’4″ with a 6’6″ wingspan. Walter is projected as a two or three in the NBA with his size. He didn’t have a great performance in Vegas, filming 35% shooting and 21% from three-point range. He seemed lost offensively, his three-point shot being nonexistent. That’s the question Walter has to answer this season: What does he do when his outside shot keeps impacting the game offensively?
When Walter wasn’t lacking a shot at Baylor, he could still generate points by getting to the free throw line. Walter isn’t afraid of contracts and doesn’t hesitate to get to the rim. That aspect of Walter’s game has carried over from college to Vegas, where he attempts nearly 4.6 free throws per game. When his three-point shot misses in the NBA, his fearlessness and willingness to absorb contact to get free throws will be his best chance to impact the game.
Jonathan Mogbo
Questions: What position does he play and can he space the field?
Jonathan Mogbo is a four-year student at the University of San Francisco with a unique skill set The Raptors selected Mogbo with the first pick of the second round and signed him to a three-year contract. After a monster season in the West Coast Conference, Mogbo appeared on the Raptors’ radar this year. While Mogbo’s time in Vegas was short-lived, he left a lasting impression. Mogbo, during his time in Vegas, showed his ability to handle the ball, make plays, and create his own shot. One thing Mogbo didn’t show in Vegas and hasn’t shown in college is his ability to space the floor. Mogbo only attempted 40 three-pointers in his four years in college. For most centers, that’s fine, but not for Mogbo. At just 6’6″, Mogbo is way too small to be a five in the NBA.
That’s why the position he plays and his ability to move around the court are the most pressing questions Mogbo must answer. Mogbo shot 69 percent from the free throw line his senior year of college, showing some shooting touch. While he’s vastly undersized, Mogbo makes up for some of the difference with his 7-foot-2 wingspan. Mogbo has an uphill battle as a 4/5 non-shooter, but he has the work ethic and drive to lean on as he works to carve out a spot in the league and on the Raptors.
Jamal Shead
Question: Can he put pressure on an NBA defense?
Jamal Shead is a tough guy senior defensive from the University of Houston. The Raptors selected Shead with the 45th overall pick, which they acquired in a trade with the Kings. Shead has been Houston’s starting point guard for the past three seasons, leading them to three straight NCAA tournaments. Shead is a tough defender who will pressure the ball all over the court and hunt down ball handlers in the half court with his active hands. In Houston, Shead ran the show, dishing out assists and controlling the pace of the game on offense. While his defense and passing were effective in Vegas, Shead was not a threat when creating his own shot. For his game to be effective in the NBA, Shead must be able to pressure an NBA defense with his scoring. That’s the question he must answer next season.
In college, Shead was never an explosive scorer, averaging just 12.9 points his senior year. Over the last two years, he showed some growth as an outside shooter, but still shot just 31 percent from three-point range in college and 27% from the NBA line in Vegas. Without a reliable outside shot and being small in stature (only 6’11”), Shead has to be crafty to find a way to score in the NBA.
Ulrich Chomche
Question: How long does he play?
Ulrich Chomche is a incredibly promising Chomche, a raw 18-year-old fresh out of the NBA Academy Africa. Chomche only started playing organized basketball relatively recently Chomche was one of the youngest players drafted. Although still young, at 6’2” and with excellent mobility and jumping ability, he is a promising talent. With the NBA Academy, Chomche showed good three-point shooting and passing skills. In Vegas, Chomche struggled to read the game and make reads, but his natural physical abilities stood out. Chomche was the 58th overall pick in the draft and was signed to a two-way contract. The questions for Chomche this season are how long he will play in the NBA and what his best NBA skill is.
At 18 years old and relatively new to organized basketball, Chomche will likely spend his rookie season with the Raptors 905 in the G-League. He will have more reps to develop the skills needed to play in the NBA. If the team is severely affected by injuries, he could be recalled, but as things stand, Chomche will only see the NBA court to start or finish the season.
