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Fansided

Ranking every first-round pick in Toronto Raptors history

By Raju Byfield

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
Toronto Raptors – Charlie Villanueva. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Charlie Villanueva – 7th overall (2005)

Charlie Villanueva was a head-scratching pick at the time as he profiled at his best as an NBA power forward, the position Chris Bosh played. Charlie V proved to be able to man the three, four, and five and gave the Toronto Raptors tremendous length and versatility.

He would go on to become the third Toronto Raptor to win rookie of the year honours after averaging 13 points and 6.4 rebounds with 0.9 threes, 0.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game on over 46-percent shooting. He set Toronto Raptor rookie records with 48 points on March 26, 2006, and 16 rebounds on April 2nd, 2006.

He was a great fit beside Chris Bosh as a stretch big, and it is possible that his success with Bosh made Bryan Colangelo believe that Andrea Bargnani would be a seamless fit in the same role. His presence on the roster made the Bargnani selection all the more confusing as Villanueva would have been perfectly capable of playing the three beside LaMarcus Aldridge and Chris Bosh.

Charlie V’s ascension to possible supporting role stardom was halted following the 2006 NBA Draft when he was traded for an important piece in point guard T.J. Ford. With the Toronto Raptors adding Andrea Bargnani, there was no space for Charlie Villanueva as Andrea Bargnani was essentially a poor man version of him. Villanueva had moderate success for the duration of his NBA career but never matched the 29.1 minutes per game that he saw as a rookie.