The Toronto Raptors drafted Jonathan Mogbo out of the University of San Francisco at No. 31 in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Mogbo averaged 14.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game on 63.6 percent from the field in his lone season at San Francisco after transferring from Missouri State.
Notably, Mogbo and Scottie Barnes have been long-time friends and are former AAU teammates. Both grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida and are now reunited in Toronto.
After the San Francisco big man heard his name called, he shared that he saw Barnes crying. An obvious emotional moment for Barnes to see his close friend make it to the NBA, via TSN’s Josh Lewenberg:
“I think I saw him crying. It was tears of joy. I didn’t shed a tear. I had to be the stronger one.”
When celebrating a milestone, it can cause reflection on how a player like Mogbo got to where he is today. So, he recalled the first time he met his now teammate and friend Barnes, via Lewenberg:
“First time I met him… I remember him coming out of his house, he had the Kobe jersey on, grey Kobe 6s on. We’ve been best friends since then.”
For Barnes to take the time to stop by Mogbo’s draft party, it goes to show how close these two are.
From meeting in the 4th grade, to playing AAU together to now being teammates on the Raptors.
Jonathan Mogbo’ skillset and fit on the Raptors
Mogbo has been deemed the ultimate Masai Ujiri pick. Mogbo is a 6’6″ forward that can play physical like a big, while also being able to playmake like a guard.
He’s got great athleticism and defensive upside, but doesn’t posses much of a jump shot.
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