3 surprising Raptors who emerged in preseason win vs. Taipans

2. Markquis Nowell

While Malachi Flynn and Jeff Dowtin (both of whom looked equally impressive against a defense that was giving them tons of opportunities to strut their stuff) are fighting for the backup point guard, Nowell is doing everything possible to establish himself as a threat despite his frame.

Nowell and his 5-7 frame recorded four points, four assists, two rebounds, a block (somehow), and a steal in this one. Nowell’s passing ability and vision are astonishing, irrespective of height, and it could be enough to give him a somewhat regular role in the NBA.

Markquis Nowell had nice moments for the Toronto Raptors.

Nowell is never going to make half his shots from the field due to his physical limitations, so he needed a point of difference that could set him apart. Due to his active hands-on defense, he could become a turnover generator in much the same way Fred VanVleet was out of college.

If Nowell came into the league at 6-1 with his stats and style of play unchanged, he would have been a first-round pick. With VanVleet having won a title and earned a max contract after defying the odds with Toronto, Nowell could follow this unusual path.