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4 best undrafted talents to suit up for the Toronto Raptors

By Elaine Blum

Mar 22, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) dribbles the ball away from Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) dribbles the ball away from Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23) in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA Draft is the best way for teams like the Toronto Raptors to pick up young talent, and more often than not, that is where new franchise players are found. With the great number of prospects hoping to make the NBA every year, finding talent that will actually translate to the next level includes a certain amount of guesswork and hope.

As a result, some players are overlooked, fall through the cracks and go undrafted despite great talent. There can be several reasons teams pass on players in the draft. Maybe they played for a small, lesser-known college, or maybe their pre-NBA career didn’t look promising.

Either way, there are usually some gems in the pool of undrafted players, and the Raptors found quite a few of them. So, let’s take a look at the five best undrafted talents to play for the Raptors.

4 best undrafted players in Toronto Raptors history.

4. Jamario Moon

Moon was somewhat of a fan favorite back in his Toronto days. After playing only one season at Meridian Community College, he went undrafted in 2001. This started quite the journey for Moon, who played for the NBA Development League, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Mexican team Fuerza Regia.

In 2007, he eventually earned a two-year deal with the Toronto Raptors after impressing in a three-day camp the team hosted. Moon quickly gained the coach’s trust and started 75 games in his rookie season. He averaged 8.5 points and 6.2 rebounds that season, but was mostly known for his athletic ability.

Jamario Moon had his moments for the Toronto Raptors.

After recording 12 consecutive games with at least one block, Moon broke a franchise record and further showed off his athleticism in the 2008 Dunk Contest. He finished third behind Dwight Howard and Gerald Green.

Moon showed Toronto fans that even though he went undrafted, he had the talent to compete in the NBA. Still, after two seasons with the Raptors, Moon was traded to Miami together with Jermaine O’Neal. Despite having a solid stint with the Raptors that earned him a spot on this list, Moon never quite found a permanent place in the NBA after that trade in 2009.

His production slipped once he left the Heat to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Moon played his last NBA game in 2012.