3 prospects Toronto Raptors should watch in NCAA Championship
By Mike Luciano
2. Caleb Love, SG, North Carolina
Love scored 28 points as his Tar Heels ended Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career and advanced to the national championship against an equally motivated Kansas team. While this game will be full of future NBA players, Love’s skill set should interest a Raptors team that is crying out for more point guard depth.
Despite going up against several other prospects the Raptors will have their eye on in Wendell Moore Jr. and Trevor Keels, it was Love who set the table for the Tar Heels. That ability to handle the ball, rain down a barrage of 3-pointers, and come through in the clutch will turn Ujiri’s head.
Toronto Raptors: Caleb Love is a young shooter with potential.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen dozens of prospects use a hot streak in the tournament to get drafted higher than they should. Some concerns are hanging off of Love that could help him fit into that category. After shooting an ugly 35% from the field in college, Love’s efficiency is frightening. He will be in for a rude awakening as an on-ball defender.
Drafting a poor finisher and negative defender doesn’t sound like Ujiri’s normal draft philosophy, but this Raptors team needs players like Love that can strike fear in the hearts of opposing defenses with his range. If Dalano Banton doesn’t keep improving, Love could get minutes over him.