Chris Bosh’s five most important moments with the Toronto Raptors

Getting drafted fourth overall

It is now considered one of, if not the best draft of all time. On June 26, 2003, CB4 began his NBA career when the commissioner, David Stern, announced that the Raptors had selected him. He went fourth overall after LeBron James, Darko Miličić, and Carmelo Anthony. He also slotted one spot ahead of Dwyane Wade.

Prior to that point, Bosh’s talent was clear. He had won the Mr. Basketball Texas award, naming him the 2002 best high school basketball player in the state of Texas. He was a top recruit to college after he helped Lincoln High School complete a perfect 40-0 season, complete with a National Championship. In that game, he scored 23 points, grabbed 17 rebounds and had nine blocks.

With the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, his success continued. He averaged 15.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 31 games. He also owned a .561 field goal percentage, which was tops in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). It was clear why Bosh did not have to wait long to hear his name called at the NBA draft.

The Raptors were fortunate to have Bosh available to pick. It was his dominance in college ball that convinced him to turn pro. He had originally planned on finishing his degree.

It’s hard to play the “what if” game, but “if” Bosh decided to skip the 2003 draft, the Raptors would have likely chosen Chris Kaman. The Los Angeles Clippers took him sixth overall, but he was rumoured to have been a player the Raps coveted. Those Raptors years would have looked a lot different without Bosh on the floor.