5 must-watch Summer League players Raptors fans focus on
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors and their fans always get excited about Summer League play, as they have seen dozens of future NBA role players get their starts with Toronto’s teams in Vegas. The 2023 squad figures to have just as many show-stopping names as any in the last few years.
This year’s crop features multiple college stars fresh off international stints (David McCormack, RJ Nembhard), experienced college players looking to earn a spot with Raptors 905 in the G League (Desmond Cambridge Jr, JT Shumate), and players with pro experience (Moses Brown, Joe Wieskamp).
While all 16 players on the roster have interesting facts that will make them worth watching as they try to make the roster, this quintet of Raptors players stands out as the names that fans need to ensure they keep an eye on during their next few weeks in the spotlight.
5 Summer League players Toronto Raptors fans must watch.
5. Kevin Obanor
Obanor signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Raptors, putting him on the same footing Gabe Brown was on last season. While Brown, who is now on the Suns’ Summer League roster, did not convert that contract into any NBA games, Obanor might be different.
Obanor averaged 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds in five college seasons, three of which were spent with Oral Roberts and two of which were at Texas Tech. The 6-8, 235-pound Obanor has a body type similar to Precious Achiuwa, albeit with a better jumper.
Will Kevin Obanor make the Toronto Raptors?
Obanor is a career 38% 3-point shooter on 3.6 attempts per game, with the apex of his shooting skill being shown off when he nailed 46% of his triples in his final Oral Roberts season. Obanor led the Red Raiders to upset wins against Texas and Iowa State while putting up 26 points against Gradey Dick and Kansas.
Obanor has a better chance of making the final Raptors’ roster than most of the players on this roster, even if he is yet another power forward to throw on the pile. Perpahs his Exhibit 10 could be scrapped altogether in favor of one of the remaining two-way contracts the Raptors have.