Toronto Raptors draft: Canadian players Raptors may target in 2021

Toronto Raptors draft target: Eugene Omoruyi, PF, Oregon

Omoruyi, from Rexdale, Ontario, declared for the 2021 NBA Draft in mid-April. He’s a player who took a chance and is it’s looking like it’s paying off. Omoruyi played three seasons starting in 2016-17 for Rutgers before he decided it was time for a change of scenery.

Eugene then decided to transfer to play in…Eugene for Dana Altman and Oregon. To do so, he had to sit out the 2019-20 season thanks to the NCAA transfer rules. He used his redshirt year to heal from a meniscus injury.

In Oregon, Omoruyi adjusted his game. He was used as a power forward with Rutgers, but shifted to the wing with his new club. Omoruyi took his game to the next level with Oregon and he knows it. When reporters asked about the move he told them why he’s thriving with the Ducks.

"“Me playing basketball the right way. Knowing the ins and outs of the game, having such a great coach as Coach Altman. He’s taught me a lot of things about the game that I didn’t know when I was at Rutgers.”"

Toronto Raptors draft: Eugene Omoruyi has muscle and shooting.

In his senior year, Omoruyi averaged 17.1 points on 47.3% field goal shooting and 37.6% from 3-point range. On the glass, Omoruyi averaged 5.4 rebounds, which were down from his last season where he had 7.2 boards per game.

Leading the Ducks in scoring and bruising opponents in the paint will get this Canadian some looks in the draft. He even made history as the first player from Oregon to rack up a minimum of 25 points and 10 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament game.

At age 24, Omoruyi’s ability and physical toughness may be exactly what some NBA teams are looking for to improve their frontcourt, perhaps even the Raptors. He might not have a very high ceiling, however.