Now entering a full on rebuild, rookie Gradey Dick is seeing an increased opportunity with the Toronto Raptors.
As most first-year players, Dick had an up and down rookie season, that ended up placing him in the G-League. Adjusting to the NBA level is not easy, but as time passes, his confidence grew.
When selecting the former Kansas Jayhawk, Toronto desperately needed his shooting ability. Now with Scottie Barnes out for the year, Dick is getting an increased workload.
As two games remain for the Raptors, the 20-year-old is putting together some quality performances. On April 10 versus the Brooklyn Nets, Dick dropped a career-high 24 points accompanied with a career-high six 3-pointers:
BIG SHOT GRADEY + CAREER HIGH‼️
24 PTS | 6 3PM 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ELr4ExiWM1
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 11, 2024
With nothing to play for, the Raptors are playing loosely and confidently. That seems to be the case for the rookie as he is shooting with a lot more confidence and trusting his mechanics.
To prove it, he is second in 3’s by a rookie since the All-Star break, a positive heading into his sophomore season, via StatMuse:
Dick tonight:
24 PTS (career-high)
6 3P (career-high)Second in threes by a rookie since the All-Star break. pic.twitter.com/QT6fJOmvKy
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 11, 2024
In the month of April, Dick is averaging 15.4 points and 4.6 rebounds on 44.8 percent shooting from the field and 41.2 percent from three. By building this confidence now, it will even make things easier playing alongside Barnes and company.
As the 2023-24 season comes to an end, Dick has a chance to end his rookie season on a high note heading into the offseason.
Gradey Dick’s performance against Thunder potential for confidence builder
Back on March 22, Dick put up another solid performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He put up 21 points and five rebounds on 8-for-15 from the field and 4-for-7 from three-point range.
Dick has seen an uptick in his production since the All-Star break.
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