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Toronto Raptors: Who to select with the 59th pick in the draft?

By Mark Birdsell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Simi Shittu (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Simi Shittu

Simi Shittu started the season as the most highly regarded of the players discussed in this article. He was a five-star recruit, McDonald’s All-American and the No. 1-ranked power forward in the 2018 class. Early mock drafts had Shittu as a projected late first-round pick.

Shittu tore his ACL in December 2017 and underwent surgery in January 2018.  Shittu struggled throughout his freshman season, as he was recovering from surgery. The situation became worse for Shittu and Vanderbilt after Darius Garland, the team’s other five-star recruit, went down with a left knee injury.

On the season, Shittu averaged 10.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. His best game came against Ole Miss on January 5th, where Shittu posted 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, one block, and one steal.

Shittu is another prospect who will be drafted based on his long-term potential. He measured 6-foot-9.5 (in shoes) with a 7-foot-1.25 wingspan. Shittu is a good ball handler for a big man. He can grab a rebound and go coast-to-coast. Shittu has good vision and is a willing passer, capable of making plays for others.

Shittu needs to continue to develop as an offensive player. He needs to become a better shooter. Shittu has struggled throughout the draft process and may have benefited from another year in college.

But he has enough upside with his athleticism, rebounding ability and potential face-up game. A team like the Raptors with a proven track record of developing players might want to take a chance on him.

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Shittu is ranked 98th in the ESPN top 100 (SI – 90; CBS – 65). There is a possibility he goes undrafted. He recently worked out for the Raptors. Even if Shittu isn’t selected on draft night, the team should strongly consider extending an invite to summer league.

Stats were provided by ESPN and Sports Reference. All combine measurements are courtesy of NBA.com