D-League Draft 2016: Recapping the Raptors 905 Picks

The 2016 NBA D-League draft was held yesterday and the Raptors 905 were all of it. Though the franchise was without a 1st round selection, the Raptors 905 had six other slots available to them, and opted to pick five new players. Here’s a summary of how things went down.

Round 2, Pick 43

Pick: Antwaine Wiggins, SG/SF, Charleston

The Raptors have a A. Wiggins! It has also apparently been confirmed Antwaine and Andrew are, in fact, cousins.

Wiggins played college ball at Charleston where, in his senior year, he averaged 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Wiggins was also given the nickname “Curry Stopper” in college after he had a solid defensive game against Steph Curry, reigning NBA MVP. In that game, Wiggins held Curry to 5-for-20 shooting and blocked his game winning attempt. After failing to be drafted in the 2012 NBA draft Wiggins looked overseas, signing with Palmeiras a team in Brazil, where he played there from 2012-2014. Wiggins was averaging just over 10 points per game after a couple seasons in Brazil before heading to Argentina to play for Club Athletico Platense Florida. Wiggins averaged 18 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while shooting 60.9 percent from the field.

Round 4, Pick 74

Pick: J.T. Terrell, SG, USC

Terrell might be the most high risk-high reward player in this draft — he is talented but was also charged with a DWI while in college. In his final season in college at USC he averaged only 9.8 points per game while playing almost 25 minutes per contest. Terrell shot 26 percent from 3 and 36.4 percent from the field. It is unknown where or if J.T. played professional basketball the past two seasons. Clearly the 905 are taking a bit of a flyer here based on past performance and hoping for the best.

Round 4, Pick 75

Pick: Ethan O’Day, PF, Vermont

O’Day was a four year player for Vermont before going undrafted in this year’s NBA draft. O’Day averaged 11.5 points per game, along with 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks, while being mostly used as a power forward as a rim protector and defensive presence.

Despite not having much of a shooting range, O’Day has a good shot at sticking with the 905 due to the fact he is a big man. The 905 are currently lacking rim protectors and ‘bigs’ off the bench.

Round 4, Pick 76

Pick: Kendall Williams, SG, New Mexico

Williams, like most D-League draftees, spent all four years at college. At one time, he was a highly recruited prospect out of college after having been scouted in the 10th grade and committing to UCLA. However Williams’ scholarship was withdrawn due to his on-court behaviour. Williams finally decided to go to New Mexico where he averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

Afterwards, Williams was invited to the NBA draft combine but went undrafted. In 2014, he got an invite to play with the Chicago Bulls in the Summer League but in five games only averaged two points. With no NBA contract coming after Summer League, Williams took off and went overseas. He’s under contract for the 2016 season with the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada. If he fails to make the 905, Williams will play for London.

Round 5, Pick 98

Pick: Evrik Gary, PG/SG, Francis Marion

Gary suited up for all four years of college eligibility with Francis Marion, however he did not see the court in his freshmen year. In his three seasons, in which he started every game, Gary averaged 18.3 points and 2.6 assists per game. He spent the past two seasons overseas after going undrafted. While playing with BC Berie Stara Zagora, Gary led the team in points with 12.8 points per game, while also averaging 2.1 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game.

All this 905 analysis is for nothing though, as the team has opted to trade Gary, along with Michale Kyser, to the Salt Lake City Stars for GoodLuck Okonoboh.

Trade: GoodLuck Okonoboh, PF/C, UNLV

In a surprising trade, somehow the 905 were able to acquire Okonoboh, who was one of the higher-ranked talents available. In his two season with UNLV, Okonoboh averaged 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in 24.8 minutes per game over the course of his two year career. It was a surprise Okonoboh declared for the draft after only two seasons in college, but at 6’10’’, there’s some obvious potential there at least as a defensive force.

The 905 declined to pick 120th overall in the 6th round.

Here’s how the Raptors 905 training camp roster looks as of this moment. The 905’s season kicks off November 18th. Get ready!