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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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Dec 9, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jose Calderon (81) during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jose Calderon (81) during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jose Calderon

Calderon is one of the longest-tenured Raptors of all time. He also ranks top-10 in games played, points, assists, and steals in franchise history and had a more than successful career with the Spanish national team on the side. Looking back, it is surprising that no team drafted Calderon in 2003 and that it took him two years after that to make his way to the NBA.

In 2005, Calderon eventually signed with the Raptors and became one of the most talented undrafted players to leave his mark on the NBA. Calderon played eight seasons with the Raptors. Over his career, he averaged 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, but those numbers don’t do justice to the run he had in the NBA.

Jose Calderon was a tremendous Toronto Raptors player.

Over his eight seasons, Calderon led the NBA in assists per game four times. In the 2008-09 season, which was the best of his career, he [aced the league in assist-to-turnover ratio and in free throw percentage with an insane 98 percent. Later on, he also topped the NBA in three-point percentage in 2013.

Following a trade to Detroit during the 2012-13 season, Calderon still had solid runs with the Pistons, the Mavericks, and the Knicks before his career came to an end in 2019. Nevertheless, his time with the Raptors was unquestioningly the best part of Calderon’s career, as he proved that he belonged in the league after not being drafted.

Even though Calderon is retired as a player, he has not left the NBA yet and is working as a special advisor to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office.