Toronto Raptors draft: 4 prospects who could fix rebounding issues
By Mike Luciano
3. Filip Petrusev, Serbia
Petrusev looked like the next Gonzaga pro player during his second year with the Bulldogs, as he averaged 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game under Mark Few. Deciding to play for Mega Soccerbet in Serbia looked like a huge risk, but he has taken advantage of this opportunity by improving upon his strengths.
Petrusev set the Adriatic League on fire this season, making 61% of his 2-point shots and 42% of his 3-point attempts. 23.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, far better than his numbers in Gonzaga’s offense, make him look like an ideal offensive project for someone like Nurse to take a gamble on.
Filip Petrusev could help the Raptors as a rookie.
Petrusev needs to add some weight to compete in the NBA, as 235 pounds with average upper body strength might not be perfect for someone that is trying to be a top-flight rebounder in the NBA. If they can do that, Petrusev could be the antidote to the Raptors’ struggled in securing the paint.
Petrusev can own on the glass, but he could be a more attractive pick than most second-round bigs due to his scoring and experience in one of the best European leagues. Petrusev has been mocked to the Raptors before and there is a lot to like about him in this offense.