With the 2025–26 Raptors season well underway, the depth of the organization has already made itself apparent. We have already seen a familiar face in forward Jonathan Mogbo called up from the Raptors 905, after beginning the regular season with the G-League squad. He posted 16 points and 12 rebounds in the season opener.
With the range of talent available down in their G-League affiliate, we are certain to see more recalls over the course of the regular season. The Raptors 905 have stormed out of the gates with two blowout victories against the College Park Skyhawks.
In both games to start the season, the 905 have run up the score, with 124-point and 130-point efforts while holding the Skyhawks to under 100 points. They’ve shot the ball with great efficiency to start the season, which has been led by some players you've heard of before, and some that you may see in a Raptors uniform very soon.
I had the chance to catch up with in-arena host Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic, Bleacher Report, Raptors Republic, and picked his brain on who Raptors fans should keep their eye on when it comes to the G-League affiliate.
Which 905 players are on the brink of a call-up to the Raptors?
1. (G) AJ Lawson
When looking at any potential call-ups, you have to start with the two-way players that hold a roster spot with the 905. The list starts with AJ Lawson, who has had a strong start to the campaign, including 20 points and six assists in Sunday’s win.
“AJ Lawson, who’s the hometown kid, will always get the opportunity with the Raptors just because he is a professional bucket scorer,” Baraheni explains. His ability to shoot the ball efficiently from the field, draw fouls and facilitate teammates give the Raptors needed depth at the guard position.
Looking back at his most recent contributions, Lawson was the leading scorer with the Raptors’ Summer League squad back in July with 18.5 PPG while shooting .455 & from beyond the arc. He also averaged 9.1 PPG in 26 games with the Raptors. Keep an eye on the Brampton native to be the next man called up to the NBA.
2. (G) Alijah Martin
After winning the NCAA championship with the Florida Gators last season, the Toronto Raptors selected Alijah Martin with the 39th pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft. He embodies exactly what the Raptors look for in a guard — strength, toughness and the ability to grab buckets. His physical frame serves as upside for this somewhat undersized guard, and definitely helps his case on the defensive end.
In his first couple of games with the 905, Martin has averaged 17.5 PPG while shooting the ball at an efficient 57.1% from the field – 58.3% from beyond the arc. Keeping up those numbers will earn him some playing time with the Raptors.
3. (G) Chucky Hepburn
Another defensive-minded guard in the Louisville product Chucky Hepburn could also see some runtime in the show. “He’s a guard who is so feisty at the point of attack,” Baraheni explains. “He’s really popped, especially defensively. What he’s provided at the point of attack is exactly what you saw him do in Louisville. Now he’s having an opportunity to do it against G-League competition. He’s so good at getting steals, causing deflections, wreaking havoc — that matches the style the Raptors want to play defensively too.”
While Hepburn hasn’t been the most efficient from the field, shooting it at a 38.5% clip, but he leads his team in assists per game with 8.5 and averaging a whopping five steals per game so far.