2023 Toronto Raptors Summer League Roster Preview
A comprehensive guide on the 16 players who will play for the Raptors in Las Vegas
Welcome to my first edition of what I call a preview, while it could be labeled as a primer or audit. Whatever you prefer. This is based entirely on the Toronto Raptors’ roster for the 2023 version of the NBA’s annual Summer League competition, which is running from July 7th to 17th.
The Raptors announced the roster yesterday (July 4) as they did the previous year. It’s normal for Toronto to be a little later than other teams when finalizing the roster. Many sides play in the California Classic or Salt Lake City Summer League, so they have or will have played by the time you’re reading this. The Raptors only participate in the Las Vegas Summer League.
Before the preview begins, I want to add that my full Raptors Summer League preview will be released tomorrow (July 6) and a look at the schedule is already up and you can check it out here.
All resources used for this preview have been compiled and are on Google Docs, if you want to have a read of some yourself then you can view the whole list here.
State of the Roster
So, here it is in full. First, I want to point out that it is entirely American — with no Canadian or European players — which is an interesting difference from what the main club preaches.
Also, there is no Jeff Dowtin Jr. or Christian Koloko included. Dowtin Jr. has undergone ankle surgery, while Koloko is battling respiratory illness. Both players will be in Vegas but won’t play.
Lots of shooting with a lack of playmaking is the immediate reaction to the list of players, but we’ll delve much deeper into each guy as we work our way through the roster.
Roster Breakdown:
- Guards: Six
- Forwards: Seven
- Centers: Three
I’ve categorized the 16 players into more detailed position breakdowns below.
Point guards
Markquis Nowell
Starting with point guards, who else but 5-foot-8 Markquis Nowell, the hero at Kansas State. An undrafted story who will lead the offense for Toronto to open up his two-way deal at Summer League.
Basic
- Position: Point guard
- From: Harlem, NY
- Height: 5-foot-8
- Weight: 155lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-0
Stats
- 37 minutes per game in 2022–23, improving from 30 minutes a season prior.
- Averaged 17.6 points on 38.6% shooting, with 3.5 boards and 8.3 assists with 3.7 turnovers.
- Took 6.9 3-pointers per game, averaging 35.5% of makes.
- Shot 42.2% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 5.8 times per game, making 5.1 of attempts (88.9% — improving from 82.9% in 2020–21).
Positives and Negatives
Nowell will be leading the offense as I mentioned, and someone who was impressed with Nowell’s performance was Kevin Durant, who described it as “a legendary display of controlling a basketball game.” Nowell racked up a tournament-record 19 assists in that game with a points total of 20.
The first aspect of Nowell to discuss is his absurd passing ability. He was second in all of Division 1 for assists per game, and he totaled 297 assists for the season (136 the season before). Sure, he does turn the ball over a little, but his assist-to-turnover ratio is maintained to be higher than 2:1.
He’s not just a passer, he is really fearless in big moments and will take the shot.
As for his 3-point shooting, you take 35 percent from just under seven attempts per game.
With all that in mind, we must discuss his frame. It’s not his fault that he’s very small in an NBA that is only getting bigger, and it’s extremely rare that prospects under six feet star in the NBA. Look no further than Isaiah Thomas, sure, but he’s an extreme outlier. It’s not impossible for Nowell to be an NBA guy, but his size makes him very easy to target.
Along with that, Nowell will be 24-years-old at Christmas.
Ahmad Caver
The second and final point guard for Toronto in Summer League is the reigning Lithuanian Basketball League MVP, Ahmad Caver. Caver was undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, played for three seasons at the Memphis Hustle in the G-League, while he went to Lithuania to play for the BC Wolves.
Basic
- Position: Point guard
- From: Suwanee, GA
- Height: 6-foot-2
- Weight: 174lbs
- Wingspan: Unknown
Stats
- 29.3 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 17.1 points with 3.2 boards and 5.3 assists with 2.2 turnovers.
- Took 3.8 3-pointers per game, averaging 33.9% of makes.
- Shot 51.5% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 4.9 times per game, making 3.8 of attempts (77.9%).
Positives and Negatives
A really informative video showing off key basketball skills can be viewed here.
He is a real positive on defense, and opposing teams were ten points per 100 possessions worse when Caver was on the court compared to when he was on the bench. He averaged 1.9 steals per game in 2021 for the Memphis Hustle, continuing that to Lithuania where he averaged the same number in 2022-23.
On offense, Caver loves to use utilize screens to get open looks from the mid-range, or drive in for the floater. He improved massively with efficiency from college to G-League. He’s not the best 3-point shooter, but he rarely shoots the 3-ball.
Shooting guards
Joe Wieskamp
We all know the story, the Raptors picked Wieskamp up last season for his 3-point shot. He didn’t live up to the billing, but he’ll have an opportunity at Summer League as the Raptors extended the deadline to guarantee or not guarantee his contract to July 17. It’s a real ‘perform or you’re gone’ situation for Wieskamp. He’s just got a minimum of five games to prove himself.
Basic
- Position: Shooting guard
- From: Muscatine, IA
- Height: 6-foot-6
- Weight: 212lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-11
Stats
- 5.6 minutes per game in 2022–23, worsening from 7.1 minutes a season prior.
- Averaged 1 point on 21.4% shooting, with 0.4 boards and 0.3 assists with 0.1 turnovers.
- Took 1.3 3-pointers per game, averaging 25% of makes.
- Shot 0% on all 2-point attempts (0.2 attempts).
Positives and Negatives
You can’t discuss Wieskamp without talking about his deep shooting. He’s been a career 37.8 percent 3-point shooter in the G-League, and was 41.2% over three seasons at Iowa in college. The issue is, he just wasn’t making them at a high clip in his (albeit limited) opportunity with the Raptors. He featured in nine games, with his final one being a 0-of-5 from 3 performance on Game 82 against Milwaukee.
He has the size and feel for the game, but if he is going to make a long career out of the NBA he needs to be an absolute sniper from distance. 25% isn’t going to keep you on the floor or in the league. One of the biggest storylines for the Raptors in Vegas is Wieskamp. Truthfully, he has to be putting up 3 after 3 or he’s going to be waived. He’s proved he can do it, he was close to 50% from deep in Big Ten games in 2020-21.
Desmond Cambridge Jr.
Basic
- Position: Shooting guard
- From: Nashville, TN
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 180lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-7
Stats
- 28.7 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 13.6 points on 39.1% shooting, with 3.5 boards and 2.3 assists with 1.4 turnovers.
- Took 7.5 3-pointers per game, averaging 32.3% of makes (career 33.8%).
- Shot 49.7% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 1.9 times per game, making 1.6 of attempts (83.1% — improving from 71.2% in 2020–21).
Positives and Negatives
Cambridge Jr., a senior from Arizona St., was undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft and was invited to the Summer League to play for the Raptors. He’s an adequate shooter who does launch 3-pointers at 7.5 attempts per game, he can be a little streaky too and the shot selection is a little bit questionable.
He excels at scoring on off-ball motion plays (the Raptors will be spamming those under this new offense) and he’s a nice ball-handler who can be a little scoring-first. Athletically, he’s fine but a little undersized to play the two. Overall, his upside is a little limited as he’s a 1998 kid, so he’s a little old in his class.
David Johnson
Basic
- Position: Shooting guard
- From: Louisville, KY
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Weight: 210lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-10.5
Stats (Raptors 905 — Regular Season)
- 21.6 minutes per game in 2022–23
- Averaged 10.7 points on 48.3% shooting, with 3 boards and 2.9 assists with 1.1 turnovers.
- Took 3.5 3-pointers per game, averaging 38.1% of makes.
Positives and Negatives
Johnson received a B- grade from a good friend and fellow writer JD Quirante over at Raptors HQ. He played 21.6 minutes per game in 28 regular season games (17.1 MPG in 13 Showcase Cup outings) and he was effective in the limited minutes. He’s versatile, can play with any lineup and will be remembered for the abundance of clutch shots consisting of buzzer-beaters and game-winners.
Ice in the veins, as the kids say.
Darryl Morsell
Basic
- Position: Shooting guard
- From: Baltimore, MD
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Weight: 205lbs
- Wingspan: Unknown
Stats (Raptors 905 — Regular Season)
- 20.2 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 8.2 points on 43.1% shooting, with 3.9 boards and 2.2 assists with 1.6 turnovers.
- Took 2.5 3-pointers per game, averaging 24% of makes.
Positives and Negatives
Sticking with JD as he has the Raptors 905 knowledge, Morsell earned a B- grade too and was placed in the ‘Welcome Addition’ category. Morsell isn’t a shooter compared to, well, most of the Raptors Summer League roster. Instead, Morsell is a little more “old-school” as JD puts it. He is a team guy who looks to impact both sides of the floor, not being particularly great at any aspect but better at defense than offense. That’s a Raptor if I’ve ever seen one. It’ll be interesting to see how he fits with a team full of shooters.
R.J. Nembhard
Basic
- Position: Shooting guard
- From: Keller, TX
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Weight: 200lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-9.5
Stats (Motor City Cruise)
- 25.3 minutes per game with the Motor City Cruise in the G-League.
- Averaged 12.2 points on 41.6% shooting, with 3.1 boards and 4.5 assists with 3.4 turnovers.
- Averaged 32% from 3.
- Made 77% from the free-throw line.
Positives and Negatives
As Nembhard progressed through his sophomore season, his playing time increased, and he became a more significant asset to the team, averaging 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steal in 32.1 minutes. The upward trajectory continued into his junior year, where he saw even more prominent roles on the court, leading to impressive statistics of 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 35.0 minutes per game. He earned accolades, including being named Big 12 Player of the Week on December 14, 2020, and securing a spot on the All-Big 12 Third Team and NABC All-District (8) Second Team.
During his college career, Nembhard reached new heights, setting personal records such as 31 points, eight rebounds (twice), nine assists (three times), three steals (five times), two blocks (four times), and six three-pointers. One of his standout moments occurred on December 9, 2020, when he delivered a stellar performance against Providence, recording 25 points on 11–17 shooting, along with seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal in 39 minutes of play.
He’s moved around a bit and last played for Fos Povence Basket in France, he’ll be part of Toronto’s Summer League team.
Small forwards
Gradey Dick
Basic
- Position: Small forward
- From: Wichita, KS
- Height: 6-foot-8
- Weight: 205lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-8.75
Stats
- 32.7 minutes per game in 2022–23, featuring in 36 games (all starts).
- Averaged 14.1 points on 44.2% shooting, with 5.1 boards, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
- Took 5.7 3-pointers per game, averaging 40.3% of makes.
- Shot 48.4% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 2.5 times per game, making 2.1 of attempts (85.4%).
Positives and Negatives
Summer League will be the first action Toronto Raptors fans see of their 13th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Gradey Dick.
The forward’s major strength is his behind-the-arc shooting, he made over 40 percent of his 3-pointers with 5.7 attempts per game. Dick shot 48.4% on 2-pointers.
Dick is a good athlete and has amazing body control and touch at the rim, he can finish layups and floaters with either hand which makes him able to do a plethora of moves at the rim and be unpredictable for defenders.
He’s a gifted playmaker who can hang in the air and throw lightning-quick passes to shooters and cutters, his vision is what helps him find the passes and he’s a connector piece for an offense that will keep the attack moving and improve his teammates.
His shooting release has no wasted movement, and he can hit any type of shot he takes, which makes him require constant defensive attention.
He’s a hustle guy who crashes the offensive boards for tip outs and putbacks, and he puts a lot of effort in on defense, taking charges and always fights on the ball to try and compensate for his lean frame. He operates as an adequate help defender when rotating or closing out shooters.
He has a low turnover rate with 1.3 turnovers per game and he knows his role and responsibilities, with a high-level of maturity for his age.
Defense is the main worry for Dick, his frame is skinny and he lacks strength, he has been made a target for offenses to attack in college and teams won’t be able to hide him in the NBA. We know how much the Raptors valued defense but with Nick Nurse moving on and Darko Rajakovic becoming the new head coach, maybe this pick reflects the way the Raptors are heading.
Dick also lacks the burst off the dribble to create space and find his way to the basket, which means he’s more of a tough shotmaker.
Ron Harper Jr.
Basic
- Position: Small forward
- From: Paterson, NJ
- Height: 6-foot-6
- Weight: 245lbs
- Wingspan: 7-foot-1
Stats (Raptors 905 — Regular Season)
- 32.7 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 17.3 points on 49.9% shooting, with 5.3 boards and 4.1 assists with 1.7 turnovers.
- Took 6 3-pointers per game, averaging 36.4% of makes.
- Averaged over a steal and a block per game.
Positives and Negatives
Toronto extended the qualifying offer for Ron Harper Jr., who deserved a crack at Summer League after a pretty troubling 2022-23 season off the court. His brother passed away mid-season, and he had to miss a game he played very well in (23 points and 10 rebounds against the Westchester Knicks) to attend his brother’s funeral. He had to face personal hardships while trying to establish himself.
He only featured in a total of 14 minutes for the big club last season, but JD admits that Harper Jr. was “the most improved prospect for the Raptors 905 this season.” His IQ really supported him transitioning from someone who picked his shots to playing a point-forward role later on in the season.
A significant milestone came for Harper when he achieved his first career triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. It happened in a crucial game that determined the 905’s playoff hopes. The achievement highlighted Harper’s ability to contribute in multiple ways and his dedication to the team’s success.
He needs to work on things, such as his corner 3 shooting, but he’s on his way. Dylan Harper isn’t bad, either!
DJ Hogg
Basic
- Position: Small forward
- From: Columbus, Ohio
- Height: 6-foot-9
- Weight: 215lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-9
Stats
- 32.6 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 18.1 points on 44% shooting, with 5.6 boards and 2.8 assists with 2 turnovers.
- Shot 79% from the free-throw line.
Positives and Negatives
The Raptors add Hogg to go with Dick at Summer League, someone who has bounced around the G-League for a few years before heading out to Australia’s NBL and he averaged 18.1 points on 44% from the floor.
Coming out of college, he was labeled as a sharpshooter, and they’re tough to find at his height of 6-foot-9. His form is exceptional, coupled with a smooth release.
The Raptors will run a lot of off-ball screens (like flare screens) and Hogg will be absolutely lethal. Hogg isn’t someone who will attack the basket, though, and he can get stuck in screens when defending.
JT Shumate
Basic
- Position: Small forward
- From: Newark, OH
- Height: 6-foot-7
- Weight: 210lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-9
Stats
- 29.5 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 16 points on 53.8% shooting, with 4.8 boards (2 ORB) and 1.4 assists with 0.8 turnovers.
- Took 4 3-pointers per game, averaging 1.6% of makes (he’s a career 43.7% from 3 guy, which is incredible).
- Shot 61.6% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 3.4 times per game, making 3 of attempts (86.7% — improving from 82% in 2021-22).
Positives and Negatives
The numbers above speak for themselves with JT Shumate, he’s someone who will get his fair share of points on efficient shooting, he could’ve attempted more than four 3-pointers at above 40 percent shooting, and he was 48.2% from deep in the previous season.
He matches exactly what the Raptors are trying to build with Rajakovic, a movement shooter who can let it rip and he is tall with a plus wingspan.
His interview with No Ceilings NBA is really insightful and you can watch it here.
Power forwards
Kevin Obanor
Basic
- Position: Power forward
- From: Houston, TX
- Height: 6-foot-8
- Weight: 225lbs
- Wingspan: 6-foot-10
Stats
- 30.9 minutes per game in 2022–23, improving from 26.1 minutes a season prior.
- Averaged 14.4 points on 49.2% shooting, with 6.4 boards and 0.9 assists with 2 turnovers.
- Took 4 3-pointers per game, averaging 33.1% of makes.
- Shot 60.2% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 4.3 times per game, making 3.5 of attempts (81% — improving from 76.1% in 2021–22).
Positives and Negatives
Obanor has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Raptors, meaning he’ll participate in both Summer League and Training Camp, competing for one of the two-way spots.
Despite shooting 33.1% from the 3-point-range last season, Obanor is a career 38.1% guy over his five college seasons.
Again, he’s another player that loves scoring from off-ball motion plays, and can play in the low post. He did regress from 3 as mentioned, but he’s been a positive deep shooter for four of his five seasons. He can be a little streaky, though.
He’s smart, skilled who can score, rebound and defend. He has those transferrable NBA skills, and if all fails he’s a tall guy who can shoot well. He does not have an amazing first step and his passing could be improved, but he does have a motor and will grab points from hustle alone.
Mouhamadou Gueye
Basic
- Position: Power forward
- From: Staten Island, NY
- Height: 6-foot-9
- Weight: 210lbs
- Wingspan: Unknown
Stats
His G-League stats page is messed up, so I’m going off college numbers.
- 29.2 minutes per game in 2021–22.
- Averaged 9.8 points on 43.5% shooting, with 6.3 boards and 1.1 assists with 1.6 turnovers.
- Took 3.7 3-pointers per game, averaging 36.4% of makes.
- Shot 49.6% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 1.9 times per game, making 1.5 of attempts (77% — improving from 82.9% in 2020–21).
Positives and Negatives
Mouhamed Gueye is an exceptionally intriguing young player with remarkable fluidity, agility, length, and talent.
His physical presence alone makes him appear NBA-level ready, and he displays flashes of skill that undoubtedly catch the attention of NBA scouts.
During his time with the stacked Prolific Prep team in high school, Gueye didn’t receive as many opportunities or the spotlight on him, but his immense potential and talent were evident. He later joined the Washington State program after re-classing, and now, just two years later, he stands as a promising NBA draft prospect, likely to be picked in the mid second round.
What sets Gueye apart is his smooth athleticism and exceptional movement skills. Despite standing at 6'10" to 6'11", he runs the floor with the agility of a guard, a rare sight for a player of his size.
His offensive game is also noteworthy, showcasing promising perimeter skills and a developing jump shot with natural form. While he may need to improve consistency and refine his techniques further, the potential for a dangerous 6'11" jump shooter is evident.
Beyond scoring, Gueye displays impressive ball-handling abilities for a player of his stature, confidently bringing the ball up the court and making plays off the dribble.
On the defensive end, he may not be a prototypical center or a defensive anchor, but he offers commendable rim protection and interior defense, especially for a power forward.
Centers
Moses Brown
Basic
- Position: Center
- From: New York, NY
- Height: 7-foot-2
- Weight: 245lbs
- Wingspan: 7-foot-3.5
Stats (LA Clippers and Brooklyn Nets — 2022–23)
- 8.2 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 4.3 points on 63.5% shooting, with 4.1 boards and 0.1 assists with 0.4 turnovers.
- Hasn’t taken a single 3-pointer in his NBA career.
- Shot 63.5% on all 2-point attempts.
- Got to the charity stripe 2.1 times per game, making 1 of attempts (45.8%).
Positives and Negatives
A name perhaps more well-known to Raptors fans, as Brown was reportedly the “Mavs’ key to a Goran Dragic trade” all the way back in August of 2021. Toronto obviously likes him, the gigantic center has been shipped around to six different NBA franchises since he was undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. Brown and Cole Anthony were some duo at UCLA, so it’ll be interesting to see how Brown plays with Markquis Nowell.
He moves quite well for his size and excels in transition plays. His aggressive approach on the boards and ability to protect the rim, but he has only averaged 0.6 blocks per game in his NBA career. Moreover, his awareness on defense is commendable, and he avoids excessive fouling.
Although Brown is a force inside the paint, his offensive skills are still raw, and he needs to work on getting stronger and more explosive. He could benefit from developing a wider range of moves, particularly jump hooks. His shooting form is a major concern, especially his poor free throw percentage of 56.5% over the past three seasons (45.8% last season), indicating the need for significant improvement in his mechanics.
While he exhibits great potential as a big man in the NBA, Brown must address some weaknesses to fully realize his capabilities. With time and maturity, he could refine his game and become a more versatile scorer. Additionally, focusing on improving his perimeter defense and guarding stretch bigs will be crucial for his overall development.
David McCormack
Basic
- Position: Center
- From: Norfolk, VA
- Height: 6-foot-10
- Weight: 250lbs
- Wingspan: 7-foot-2
Stats
- 22.2 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 9.1 points on 57.1% shooting, with 7.4 boards (2.3 ORB) and 0.8 assists with 1.4 turnovers.
- Took 2 3-pointers with Beskitas, missing both.
- Shot 75 percent at the free-throw line.
Positives and Negatives
McCormack was undrafted last year and played in the Summer League with the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 7 points on 42 percent shooting. He’s back in Vegas with the Raptors and coming off a year in Türkiye with Besiktas.
During his time at Kansas, McCormack had an impressive four-year stint, featuring as a starter in 96 out of 132 games for the Jayhawks. He showcased his skills with an average of 8.7 points per game, shooting at an impressive 52% from the field, and securing 5.2 rebounds per game. Additionally, his free-throw shooting was solid at 76%, and he contributed nearly one block per game. His notable performances earned him recognition, being named the 2020–21 Big 12 Most Improved Player and earning All-Big 12 honors twice, while also playing a crucial role in Kansas’ triumph in the 2022 NCAA championship.
McCormack demonstrates proficiency as a finisher around the basket and a reliable low-post scorer, especially when he’s on the move. His ability to set screens for his teammates adds value to his offensive contributions. Standing at 6'10" and weighing 250 lbs., he possesses good strength and proves to be a satisfactory defender, showcasing above-average athleticism.
Despite his strong physical presence, McCormack faces challenges guarding smaller players due to limited lateral quickness. While he has shown decent shot-blocking ability in college, he may need to enhance his impact on the defensive end to excel in the NBA. To thrive against tougher competition in the professional league, improving his face-up game would be beneficial for him.
Moses Wright
Basic
- Position: Center
- From: Raleigh, NC
- Height: 6-foot-8
- Weight: 226lbs
- Wingspan: 7-foot-2
Stats
Thank you to Eurobasket who, for some reason, supply Chinese Basketball statistics.
- 12.1 minutes per game in 2022–23.
- Averaged 12.1 points on 50.5% shooting from 2, with 6.8 boards and 1.4 assists with 2 turnovers.
- Made 24.5% of 3-pointers.
- Shot 54.7% from the free-throw line.
Positives and Negatives
The second Moses who will play as the 5 for Toronto at Summer League is Moses Wright, who made All-NBA G-League First Team with the Los Angeles Clippers, and joined the Dallas Mavericks before finding his feet in China at the Zhejiang Golden Bulls.
As a forward/center, he brings a dynamic combination of bouncy athleticism and energy, making him well-suited for today’s NBA style of play. His powerful leaping ability allows him to finish dunks with force and be a reliable partner in screen-and-roll plays for point guards.
On the defensive end, Wright shows promising potential, capable of guarding both power forwards and centers at the NBA level. He boasts a high motor, quick feet, and active hands, enabling him to be a disruptive force by forcing turnovers and blocking shots.
Throughout his college career, Wright’s game evolved beyond being just a catch-and-finish player. He has improved his ball-handling skills, allowing him to attack the rim with a quick first step and make successful moves against traditional big men. Additionally, he has shown progress as a shooter, demonstrating confidence from beyond the arc and developing touch in his shot.
The Coaching Staff
Let’s remind you of the roster, with the full staff just below.
Coaching Staff Breakdown (12)
- Head Coach: Pat Delany
- Assistant Coaches: Mike Batiste, Vin Bhavnani, Drew Jones, Eric Khoury, Jama Mahlalela, Karim Nesba, Jim Sann, Ivo Simović, James Wade
- Video Coordinators & Development: Rashaun Broadus, Noah Lewis
Pat Delany is the head coach in Summer League, he joined the Washington Wizards as an Assistant Coach in 2021, brings a wealth of experience to the Raptors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Anselm College. Delany has been involved in coaching for several years and has made notable contributions to various teams. Prior to his time with the Wizards, he served as an Assistant Coach under Steve Clifford for the Orlando Magic from 2018 to 2021. Before that, he worked as an Assistant Coach for the Charlotte Hornets under Clifford from 2014 to 2018. Additionally, Delany gained valuable head coaching experience with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the 2013–2014 season. His extensive background and expertise make him a valuable addition to the Raptors coaching staff.
It feels like Delany will be the ‘defensive coordinator’ (to steal a term from American football) with the Raptors, but he does have some of the most experience out of that staff. He’s been a guy who has sat next to the head coach for some time now, and James Wade is the only other previous head coach on the staff (WNBA at the Chicago Sky).
It’s a fascinating staff, that’s for sure, and it does represent what the Raptors are trying to build as they recover from the dumpster of a season and the off-court issues surrounding the poor play on the court.
Final Thoughts
I know everyone will be interested in my overall thinking of this roster. Undeniably, it’s tough to gauge when there is a crop of players with a real mix of guys you know and some you only just learned the name off a few hours ago, but on the whole, I’m really excited.
It’s a shame that Jeff Dowtin Jr. and Christian Koloko can’t play, but this roster represents what the Raptors are trying to do with the main club. Endless amounts of shooting, and the lack of playmaking is a little worrying but let’s see how the Raptors scheme it offensively. I’m expecting them to try out a lot of off-ball motion plays.
I’m going to be doing game recaps and film analysis on all five (at least) games, so keep an eye out for that.
All 16 players will be reviewed on the back of the tournament, too! There are too many days to fill in my challenge of writing every day for a year (we’re more than halfway through now) so it’d only be correct to give each player what they deserve, and that is a single-player review.
As I mentioned earlier, the full Summer League preview for the Raptors will be released tomorrow (6 July).
