Toronto Raptors: Is This OG Anunoby’s Breakout Season?
By Go Paolo
The Toronto Raptors OG Anunoby looks to take his game to the next level. Many talented rookies hit a wall in their second season. Will Anunoby be an exception?
Last season was one of the greatest in Toronto Raptors’ franchise history, and OG Anunoby being a revelation as the 23rd pick was among the bright spots.
While his raw stats don’t pop out: 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 20 minutes, his intangibles were off the charts. Over the course of the season, Anunoby played well and asserted himself in a team already filled with talented veterans and prospects.
Anunoby fell to the Raptors because of an injury limiting him to 16 games in his sophomore year with the Hoosiers. OG was averaging 11.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 25.1 minutes before hurting his knee against Penn State.
Before his injury, Anunoby was already garnering All-American honours and was considered his conference’s top prospect.
Most teams didn’t see enough of Anunoby to take the risk on him, but the Raptors did and it paid off. OG filled in for an injured Norman Powell and quickly made a name for himself dropping 16 points against the Houston Rockets in his first NBA start.
He would go on to start 62 games and led rookies in offensive and defensive rating at one point in the season. He managed to make Raptors fans salivate over his potential with the limited usage he received.
A new coaching staff along with a roster shuffle means there are even more questions about Anunoby’s role in his sophomore season. Regardless, he’s expected to build on his rookie year.