Raptors 905 Update: How are the young players progressing?
By Avishai Sol
Experienced 905 Standouts
Every team in the NBA has a young stud who’s not quite ready for the big time yet. They send them down to the G-League where they put up fat stats and get reps as the focal point of an offense. However, to have a talented 12-man roster? That’s less common.
It’s a testament to the strength of the Raptors scouting department that they’re able to find so many high-level players even after the entire NBA had all of its bites at the apple. Players like Mississippi State’s Reggie Perry.
Reggie Perry is the Raptors 905’s unsung hero.
A 6-8 forward, Perry has been the most ubiquitous cornerstones of the team’s foundation this season. While the likes of Banton serving the 905 at the Raptors’ pleasure, Perry’s contract allows him more day-to-day consistency.
Leading the team in rebounds with over 10 per game, Perry adds his strong offense to the 905 with 18.6 points and 2.2 assists. Those stats look great, but Perry’s future in the league as a potential big-league player is all dependent on his outside stroke.
If he can learn to hit on open corner three at a serviceable rate, then he could be on an NBA roster very soon.
Isaac Bonga is another G League player who’s taken his swings at the NBA. Bonga’s selling point is his defense. Long and strong with fluidity in the half-court, Bonga’s ability to guard multiple positions has been a nightmare for opposing scorers in the G-League this year.
Averaging two steals and a block a game to go along with over nine rebounds still doesn’t do justice to the impact he’s had as a defender. His physical gifts have always been a selling point, but what’s stood out from Bonga this season is his growing skillset and maturity as a player.
Bonga has already come a long way as a player, and is still young and learning. He’s the same age as Banton, don’t forget that.