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Toronto Raptors: 15 best draft picks of all-time

By Mike Bossetti

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Vince Carter /
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Marcus Camby, Toronto Raptors
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 3: Marcus Camby #21 of the Toronto Raptors dunks during a game played on March 3, 1997 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1997 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Center. University of Massachusetts. Marcus Camby. 5. player. 81.

Marcus Camby had an illustrious 17-year playing career. Unfortunately for the Raptors, only two of those seasons came playing in Toronto. Although his time playing for the Raptors was short, the second overall pick from Massachusetts made an impact both with the Raptors and around the league.

Camby made his presence felt right away, averaging 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks his rookie season. The next season, he went on to lead the league in blocks, averaging an absurd 3.7 blocks per game.

Despite a successful first two seasons in the NBA, the Raptors elected to trade Camby after his sophomore campaign for New York Knicks veteran big man Charles Oakley. The move was seen as a win-now decision, made to help please then star player, Vince Carter.

Initially, Camby struggled to find his role with the Knicks. In his first season with New York, Camby averaged just 20 minutes and seven points per game during the strike-shortened regular season. Things changed during the playoffs when Ewing went down with an season-ending Achilles injury.

In the final four games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Camby averaged more than 18 points and 11 rebounds per game, helping the Knicks make the NBA Finals for just the second time in more than 25 years.

Camby played for the Knicks for another four seasons, prior to being traded to the Denver Nuggets. He played there for his longest tenure, six seasons, before bouncing around the league for a total of six stops.

Over the course of his career, Camby accomplished a great deal. A four-time All-Defensive selection, a four-time block champion and a Defensive Player of the Year are just a few of his greatest accolades.