Toronto Raptors bringing in Chinese league star for tryout

The Toronto Raptors are still very early on in the process of finalizing their training camp roster. Knowing what this team is in need of, even Masai Ujiri’s less bombastic acquisitions will be centered around adding an experienced scorer with upside that can come off the bench.

The Raptors will need to figure out what the deal is with most of their big pending free agents, but that doesn’t mean they can (or should) forsake making some less bombastic moves that can have an impact on winning. Perhaps the overseas market has some worthwhile players.

The Raptors have typically sent feelers out around the globe this time of year, looking for European or Asian league stars like Ish Wainright and Sam Dekker (to name two recent examples) as they round out their training camp roster.

Eugene German, who spent last season with the Qingdao Eagles in China after a terrific college career at Northern Illinois, will be invited to the Raptors’ free agent mini camp this summer. Perhaps Toronto could have another Wainright or Anthony Parker on their hands.

Toronto Raptors inviting Eugene German to camp.

German’s standout collegiate career at Northern Illinois helped get teams like the Raptors interested in him, as he averaged slightly over 20 points per game in each of his final three seasons with the Huskies. German, who also starred in Greece, is efficient, as he shot 46% from the field and 35% from 3-point range.

The Raptors have a weird menagerie of backup point guards, including struggling draft picks like Malachi Flynn and Dalano Banton as well as the upstart Jeff Dowtin Jr. Bringing in German is a worthwhile affair, especially if he has improved his game overseas since his initial Summer League stints.

While it is often hard to gauge how well production in China will translate to the NBA, given how names like Jimmer Fredette have put up unreal numbers in that league, German was dominant enough to warrant looks from the NBA. It remains to be seen if he can beat out a player like Dowtin.

German’s size is his biggest obstacle to success, as a guard who was 6-4 and scoring like this is much more attractive than a 6-0 player. The Raptors have been willing to overlook size in the past, making this a perfect place for German to try and latch on in the NBA.