Toronto Raptors: 3 Raptors That Could Have a Breakout Year Next Season
By Joseph Zita
2. OG Anunoby – 23 years old – SF/PF
2019-20 stats – 69 GP – 10.6 PPG – 5.3 RPG – 1.6 APG – .505 FG% – .390 3P% – .706 FT%
At my number two spot on this list, I have someone who has grown in every aspect of the game ever since his rookie season and is just ready to take that next big leap in his career, OG Anunoby. OG is such an interesting player, he isn’t someone who shows a lot of emotion when playing the game of basketball, and if you don’t believe me just watch his recent buzzer-beater game-winner against Boston in the second round of the NBA playoffs this past postseason.
Despite him not showing a lot of emotion on the court it kind of reminds me of Kawhi Leonard how he is so monotoned yet that doesn’t affect how he plays basketball. Anunoby who isn’t someone who will score the lights out on any given night is more of a defensive-minded player who is slowly growing into a player who can also contribute on the offensive side of the ball at a decent rate.
After watching him improve on the offensive and defensive side throughout his three years in the league so far, it is safe to say a breakout year is just around the corner for him, and it may come as early as next season after witnessing his playoff run that was cut short this postseason.
He wasn’t scoring the lights out, but he was arguably one of the most consistent Raptors during the playoffs and his great defensive play was just as good. These were his stats throughout the teams 11 games in the playoffs…
11 GP – 10.5 PPG – 6.9 RPG – 1.2 APG – .455 FG% – .415 3P% – .643 FT%
Looking at that stat line it obviously isn’t anything too eye-opening, however, he did improve his rebounding and three-point shooting in the playoffs compared to the regular season and it was more of what he was able to do on the defensive side as well.