The Toronto Raptors newest rookies Ja’Kobe Walter and Jonathan Mogbo were officially welcomed to the organization on June 28.
Walter was drafted 19th overall in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Mogbo was taken 31st overall in the second round.
Walter averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists as a freshman guard for the Baylor Bears last season.
He spoke to the media and talked about his transition to the NBA, via John Chidley-Hill of The Canadian Press:
“Obviously getting to the NBA there’s a lot of things I need to learn, the game, even more IQ wise, the speed of the game, strength. There’s a lot of things I need to work on. I think my main focus will be just how to get off the ball and create for others.”
Mogbo averaged 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a centre for the University of San Francisco. He shot 63.6 percent from the field.
Mogbo mentioned how he had been to Toronto a few times since Scottie Barnes was drafted to visit him. He said he had been mistaken for Precious Achiuwa a few times.
Mogbo also said he saw Barnes crying at his draft party, via Childley-Hill:
“I looked around and I think I saw him crying. You know, it was tears of joy. I didn’t shed a tear. I couldn’t. I had to be the strong one.”
Barnes and Mogbo are long-time friends and are former AAU teammates.
Walter will wear No. 14 with the Raptors, while Mogbo will wear No. 2:
Jonathan Mogbo will be wearing No. 2 with the #Raptors. pic.twitter.com/qK4FsY4HLI
— Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) June 28, 2024
Walter and Mogbo weren’t the only players the Raptors drafted. Less than an hour before Mogbo was selected, Toronto struck a deal with the Sacramento Kings that sent Jalen McDaniels to the Kings for Davion Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov, the 45th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and the Portland Trailblazers’ second-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Raptors took Jamal Shead at No. 45 with Sacramento’s pick. Then right before the draft ended, the Raptors struck another deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which allowed Toronto to take Ulrich Chomche with the 57th overall pick.
Raptors announce 2024 NBA Summer League schedule
The Toronto Raptors’ four draft picks are expected to be in action at NBA Summer League.
The Raptors will open play on July 13 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They will also take on the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz and Miami Heat.
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