I’m not sure if the Raptors added a generational talent from the 2024 draft class, but the group of prospects they focused on has definitely proven to be key difference-makers, even in their first year at the professional level.
Toronto's highest placement in the draft was at 19th overall, and while that selection has turned out to be a crucial part of the rotation moving forward, the players taken further down in the draft (and even one undrafted talent) have shown to be just as valuable as those picked in the lottery.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the Raptors rookies and see how their 2024-25 campaigns went now that their introductory seasons have wrapped up.
Pick #19: Ja'Kobe Walter
With the first-round draft pick they acquired from Indiana, the Raptors front office had to be thrilled to see a lottery-worthy talent still available at pick number 19, when they selected Baylor product Ja'Kobe Walter.
In Walter, the Raptors added a prototypical 3-and-D wing who could develop into a player like Tim Hardaway Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, or Reggie Bullock. However, since Walter was seen as a still-raw prospect moving up to the next level, it was expected that he would need time and experience to adjust to NBA competition before making that kind of impact.
And that was definitely true during his early NBA showcases. However, as the season went on and Walter earned more minutes in the Raptors' rotation, he quickly established himself as a rising impact player within Toronto's lineup.
Walter's rookie averages are as follows: 8.6 points per game on 40.5% shooting from the field, 34.9% from three, along with 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and nearly a steal (0.8) each game. He played 52 total games, starting in 18, and averaged just over 21 minutes on the court each night.
I really enjoyed watching Walter this year. More than anything, he showed me that he’s willing to take contact and put his body on the line to grab rebounds. He shot the three-ball as expected, and his defensive efforts late in the year displayed a lot of promise.
Walter may be just 20 years old, but I believe he’s on track to become a key player for the Raptors a lot sooner than many expected. With a perfect big brother-like mentor in Brandon Ingram joining the team soon, the future looks bright for Ja'Kobe Walter.
Grade: B
Pick #31: Jonathan Mogbo
I was closely watching Jonathan Mogbo after it became clear that he was quickly setting himself apart as an outlier among the 2024 rookie class.
Mogbo's rookie averages are as follows: 6.2 points on 43.8% field goal shooting, 24.3% from three, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and nearly a steal (0.9) per game. He played 63 total games, starting in 18 of them, and averaged just over 20 minutes on the court each night.
You might have looked at Mogbo's style of play or just checked the box score and thought he wasn't anything special. However, many times when the Raptors had him on the court, he was a crucial part of anchoring their defense, doing many of the little things that helped keep the team organized.
Be that as it may, Mogbo's lack of a consistent offensive arsenal was a major downside to giving him extended minutes. Then, he missed a significant chunk of time in January and March, but late in the season, he came out of nowhere with his best performances in the NBA.
In back-to-back games in April, Mogbo recorded his first career double-double, followed immediately by his first career triple-double. With that achievement, he became the only rookie from the 2024 class to reach that milestone.
Mogbo may never become a consistent double-digit scorer, but it's his blend of critical basketball IQ skills that makes him such an impactful player. He's athletic, has a long wingspan, and his energy on defense is undeniable. I may have started to lose a bit of faith in Mogbo as the season progressed, but he came out strong in a last-minute push to remind everyone not to give up on his potential just yet.
Grade: B+
Pick #45: Jamal Shead
The Raptors faced a significant decision regarding who they wanted to lead the backup guard role for the foreseeable future: Should they take the side of their second-round rookie, Jamal Shead, or extend the contract of veteran defensive standout Davion Mitchell?
At the trade deadline, Toronto wrapped up the "Off-Night" experiment and fully embraced the Jamal Shead experience, who played a crucial role in the Raptors' performance during the latter half of the 2024-25 season.
Shead's rookie averages are as follows: 7.1 points on 40.5% field goal shooting, 32.3% from three, 4.2 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and nearly a steal (0.8) per game. He played 75 total games, starting in 11 of them, and averaged nearly 20 minutes on the court each night.
Shead is a selfless point guard, much like his legendary predecessor, the arguable greatest Raptor of all time, Kyle Lowry. While his shooting struggles are noticeable, with some inconsistent performances throughout the year, the fact that he emerged as a top-tier rookie despite being a second-round pick speaks volumes about his competitive spirit.
He'll need to improve his efficiency to reach true greatness, but for his first year with the Raptors and in the NBA, it's clear that Shead has made his name known to the masses.
Grade: B+
Undrafted: Jamison Battle
If you can't look at what Jamison Battle accomplished as an undrafted rookie and give it an A grade, I honestly don't know what will impress you.
Battle's rookie averages are as follows: 7.1 points on 42.9% field goal shooting, 40.5% from three, 2.7 rebounds, and close to an assist (0.9) per game. He played 59 total games, starting in 10 of them, and averaged just over 17 minutes on the court each night.
Now, I’m not saying that Battle is a megastar or anything like that, but it’s hard to overlook his impressive skills as a sharpshooter for a Raptors team that faced significant challenges in that department.
Toronto got to have a look at Battle in the 2024 NBA Summer League, where he'd earn a spot on the training camp roster, where he'd narrowly beat out the competition to earn a two-way contract in October. Battle's consistency as a sniper earned him an internal promotion in February to a standard three-year NBA contract, securing his place in the Raptors' lineup for the foreseeable future.
Discovering the beauty of Battle in what many viewed to be a relatively weak draft class is just another testament to the Raptors' great scouting ability and Masai Ujiri's talent for finding hidden gems.
Grade: A
Pick #58: Ulrich Chomche
In my mid-season rookie report card, I wasn't able to judge Ulrich Chomche since he hadn't suited up for the main roster Raptors in any noteworthy capacity yet, and that sentiment still stands in this final rookie report card.
Chomche would undergo season-ending knee surgery, sadly bringing a premature end to a rookie campaign that barely had a chance to take off. I can imagine he has a lot to prove next year, whether it's with continued time on the Raptors 905 or when he gets the call back to the main squad.
Grade: N/A