3 legendary Raptors 905 success stories in recent history

The Toronto Raptors have a very unique player development system that has helped make them one of the most consistent winners of the last decade. Raptors 905 has been the starting point for several players that eventually become long-term contributors and stars in the NBA.

While some contenders almost completely abandon using the G League as a path to developing their prized young players develop, Toronto is using Raptors 905 as a prime place for their best and brightest to work out the kinks in their game and eventually join the big club.

The team has seen players come from absolutely nothing and turn themselves into something. In addition, highly touted prospects with one or two fatal flaws have used their game experience with some time down in the G League. The value this league has provided Toronto has been incredible.

These 3 players stand out as a testament to Toronto’s ability to identify raw talent, take steps to pick out what the most significant issue in their game is, and correct it in the G League. After these three players turned into stars, Toronto has proven the excellence of their philosophy.

Toronto Raptors: 3 biggest Raptors 905 success stories.

3. Chris Boucher

Boucher had just one game of professional experience with Golden State when he arrived in Toronto, so he was guaranteed next to nothing. Not only did Boucher prove he was too good for the G League by the end of the year, but he also became a valued member of the post-championship teams.

Boucher averaged 27.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and an insane 4.1 blocks per game during the 2018-19 season. Boucher became the first player in G League history to win league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. Not bad for a stringy JUCO transfer.

Toronto Raptors: Chris Boucher dominated at Raptors 905.

Boucher has parlayed his skills into two seasons as one of Toronto’s first men off the bench and a three-year contract that keeps him locked in as one of the team’s key reserves. Considering all of the hoops he has had to jump through in his career, that long-term security is incredible to see.

There are hundreds of players in the NBA right now, but few of them can claim to have as long and winding a path to success as Boucher. A high school and college afterthought, Boucher used his 905 success as a springboard from which to launch a successful career.