During the Raptors-Knicks matchup on January 8, it was announced during the broadcast that the Raptors had found a replacement to fill the recently vacated roster spot left by center Bruno Fernando, who had been let go earlier in the week.
The player in question is 27-year-old Nigerian-Canadian forward Eugene Omoruyi, who had been playing for Toronto's G League affiliate, Raptors 905.
Eugene Omoruyi earns 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors
Omoruyi had successfully established himself as a valuable member of Raptors 905, demonstrating his prowess as an efficient scorer and dependable defender. In his four appearances with the G League team, Omoruyi averaged nearly 17 points, close to six rebounds, one steal, and just under four assists per game.
Before joining the G League, Omoruyi had four different stints with various NBA franchises. He first entered the league after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, following a lengthy collegiate career that included time at both Rutgers and Oregon.
The 6-foot-6 forward began his NBA journey with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2021-22 season. He then joined the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2022-23 season but was waived that same year. Subsequently, he signed with the Detroit Pistons before concluding his NBA stints to date with the Washington Wizards in the 2023-24 season.
During that period, Omoruyi accumulated NBA career averages of 5.7 points and 2.3 rebounds, shooting 46% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc, all while playing just over 12 minutes per game.
For the Raptors, Omoruyi's addition raises the total of Canadian talent on the team to five, joining fellow Ontario natives Kelly Olynyk, RJ Barrett, AJ Lawson, and Montreal native Chris Boucher, who are already on the roster.
Given that Omoruyi was signed to a 10-day contract, his job security with the Toronto Raptors remains uncertain. The team will likely evaluate his fit before making decisions about his future.
A 10-day contract in the NBA is a provisional arrangement enabling a player to join a team for a span of 10 days or up to three games, depending on which is longer. Teams often rely on these contracts to address roster gaps, such as those caused by injuries, or to bolster their bench.
With that in mind, the Raptors might consider further exploring the market, potentially taking a chance on other free agent candidates unless they decide to fully commit to Omoruyi by signing him to a standard deal.