Raptors' defense grows stronger after picking title-winning stud in NBA Draft

Once again, the Raptors have held steady at their expected position in the draft, despite swirling rumors that they might trade the pick, they chose to keep it. Toronto stuck to their guns with the 39th overall pick, selecting Alijah Martin from Florida — a hard-nosed, explosive athlete who is also a sound defender and a decent shooter.

Raptors select Florida's Alijah Martin with 39th overall pick

Martin is coming off a National Championship run with his Florida Gators squad. During his 2024-25 collegiate campaign, the 23-year-old posted impressive numbers: 14.4 points on 45.2% field goal shooting, 35% from three, along with 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 38 appearances, averaging just over 30 minutes per game.

Likewise, before Martin transferred to the University of Florida, he was part of Florida Atlantic University's Cinderella run when they secured a spot in the NCAA Final Four for the first time in school history.

Martin is a bit on the shorter side (roughly 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2ish) making him more of a combo guard. At first glance, it might seem like he's missing something special (he isn't the greatest playmaker in the world), but don't sleep on his ability to get you energetic buckets... especially if he's zooming down for an emphatic finish at the rim. Think of winning players like Alex Caruso (who recently demonstrated his impact for the championship Thunder team)... that's just a glimpse of what Martin could potentially become.

It's clear that the Raptors were impressed with Martin's intangibles — his toughness, relentless motor, and unwavering willingness to play his you-know-what off.

These qualities are often the most important traits Toronto values in their draft picks and overall roster improvements, even when the seemingly easiest approach is simply selecting players based on fit and immediate impact.

The Raptors clearly have a strategy to prioritize this defense-first mindset, exemplified by their selection of Collin Murray-Boyles last night and Alijah Martin in the second round. That said, their ongoing concerns about shooting, the urgent need for center depth, and the repetitive flow of similar forward and wing players continue to be issues that need to be addressed.

Raptors leveraging the draft to build an unbreakable defense?

Although he's highly experienced and appears to be a plug-and-play guy right from the start, it's likely that Alijah Martin will spend his initial years within the Raptors 905 development program. Eventually, he could slot into roles currently held by players like Ja'Kobe Walter and Ochai Agbaji; embodying that high-energy, 'dawg' archetype to complement the Raptors' already relentless defensive identity.

It seems that wherever Martin goes, he's part of an environment where a winning identity is fostered. As he joins this Toronto Raptors squad, the hope is that he can bring some of that winning spirit to the pros.