Toronto Raptors: Top 10 rookie seasons in franchise history

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors jokes with Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies during an NBA game at the Air Canada Centre on February 21, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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MADRID, SPAIN – DECEMBER 17: President of Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) Jorge Garbajosa (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images) /

8. Jorge Garbajosa, 2006-07

Garbajosa is one of the best Raptors rookies ever and a tragic story at the same time. Brought over to Toronto at age 28 after a long career in Italy and Spain, Garbajosa averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while starting 60 games. It looked like Garbajosa, Chris Bosh, and Andrea Bargnani would be Toronto’s young frontcourt of the future.

Heartbreak sunk in when suffered a horrific leg injury that shattered his fibula and dislocated his ankle in March. Surgery knocked him out for the rest of the season, and he played just seven ineffective games in 2007-08 before returning to Europe for the rest of his career.

Jorge Garbajosa could have been a Toronto Raptors star.

Garbajosa, who earned an All-Rookie nod, was another stretch big man that could’ve added a veteran counterpoint to the young Bargnani and a budding superstar in Bosh. One twist of fate ruined his physical health, and his NBA career was cut short. Oh, what could’ve been…

Garbajosa ended up having some success back in Spain, and he has transitioned exceptionally well to his post-basketball life by becoming President of the Spanish Basketball Federation, but Raptors fans will remember him as a special talent that could’ve become a piece for the future without injuries.