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5 Toronto Raptors players who attended North Carolina or Duke

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 02: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles around Rodney Hood #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 02: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles around Rodney Hood #5 of the Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 14: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 14, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 14: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on February 14, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

2. Gary Trent Jr. (Duke)

Trent was acquired from Portland with the thought that the former Blue Devil was going to be the perimeter sniper the Raptors needed. In addition to his scoring exploits, the defensive skill that we’ve seen from him this year has been genuinely jaw-dropping.

Trent is averaging 18.0 points per game while coming in third in the league in steals per game. While he had some success during his freshman year at Duke, even the most optimistic projections didn’t have him becoming this type of player just four seasons into his pro career.

Gary Trent Jr. is a critical part of the Toronto Raptors’ future.

Trent might have been a hyped 5-star recruit that played a vital role in getting the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight, but his lack of defense worried teams to the point where they allowed him to completely fall out of the first round. This helped Portland snatch him up and Toronto pilfer him in the Norman Powell deal.

Trent earned himself a contract worth just under $52 million after just three seasons in the league. That kind of financial commitment shows that the Raptors believe in what he brings to the table. Add Trent to the list of pro players Krzyzewski has developed.

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