The Toronto Raptors, more so than perhaps any other organization in the NBA, have been willing to find terrific players in every corner of the globe. Some of the best players in Raptors history have come from far outside North America.
Masai Ujiri and the Raptors’ front office are once again trying to keep up their reputation as one of the league’s foremost global representatives, as they have players from Austria, Cameroon, Germany, and Nigeria (just to name a few countries) on their roster.
The Raptors have gone all over the globe for talent, though some names stand out above the rest of the names who have once worn Toronto’s colors. Which names will be remembered throughout franchise history as the best player from their respective countries to play for them?
The best Toronto Raptors players from every country.
Argentina: PF Luis Scola
Scola had to fight off a fierce challenge from Carlos Delfino, who played all 82 games as a bench player for Sam Mitchell. Scola, who averaged 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game for a Raptors team that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, got the edge due to his role on one of the best Raptors teams ever.
Australia: C Aron Baynes
While Baynes was mocked for his poor play and the fact he was an inadequate replacement for Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol in the Tampa bubble, he is still the best Aussie to suit up for Toronto. After nearly suffering a career-ending injury, Baynes luckily managed to fully recover.
Jakob Poeltl is a terrific Toronto Raptors center.
Austria: C Jakob Poeltl
Poeltl, who recently signed a four-year contract with the Raptors a few years after the former No. 9 overall pick by Toronto was traded to the Spurs, has made his mark. A terrific rim protector, passer, and rebounder, Poeltl could be a long-term asset as Toronto tries to turn it around.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: C Aleksandar Radojevic
The Raptors drafted Radojevic 12th overall in 1999 (before Corey Maggette, Metta World Peace, and Manu Ginobili), and he played just three forgetful games for the team. Bosnia, like many Balkan states, has a strong basketball infrastructure, but they haven’t sent many of their best products to the Raptors yet.