With the 31st pick, the Raptors select Jonathan Mogbo

[PushDaRock]

I really like what I've seen from Mogbo so far. I think he needs to improve on defence because that's really where guys with his measurables succeed.
He seems to have a good feel for the game and I think he can play the Draymond Green type of offensive role (initiating plays) but he needs to show something on defence too.
Just to note, he has a 9'0.5" standing reach, which is somehow only 1.5" lower than Saar's reach and a few inches more than Draymond Green. That's really how we should be measuring bigs right? Who cares how tall the top of your head is...

Just for reference, Draymond was very impressive during the 2012 summer league where he averaged 12ppg, 14rpg and 3apg in just 25 minutes.

Draymond was also levels ahead offensively and actually looked relatively polished.

Watch on YouTube

Draymond was also a second year player in the 2012 summer league.

In 2011, Draymond averaged 6.4ppg, 7.6rpb, 1.6apg on a BLISTERING 26% from the field.

And anyways... I just checked and Draymond put up 13/7/2 on 31% shooting in 2012. Not sure where you got 12/14/3 form.

He actually wasn't good in either year. He probably pulled the PER 48 stats.

[TheGeneral99]

I really like what I've seen from Mogbo so far. I think he needs to improve on defence because that's really where guys with his measurables succeed.
He seems to have a good feel for the game and I think he can play the Draymond Green type of offensive role (initiating plays) but he needs to show something on defence too.
Just to note, he has a 9'0.5" standing reach, which is somehow only 1.5" lower than Saar's reach and a few inches more than Draymond Green. That's really how we should be measuring bigs right? Who cares how tall the top of your head is...

Just for reference, Draymond was very impressive during the 2012 summer league where he averaged 12ppg, 14rpg and 3apg in just 25 minutes.

Draymond was also levels ahead offensively and actually looked relatively polished.

Watch on YouTube

lol those weren't his actual numbers, they were his per 48 numbers. He put up 6.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 apg with 2.4 tov on 28% shooting and 20% from 3 in 26 mpg. Not sure I would call that very impressive.

Thanks for clarifying, my mistake.

[YogurtProducer]

Just for reference, Draymond was very impressive during the 2012 summer league where he averaged 12ppg, 14rpg and 3apg in just 25 minutes.

Draymond was also levels ahead offensively and actually looked relatively polished.

Watch on YouTube

lol those weren't his actual numbers, they were his per 48 numbers. He put up 6.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 apg with 2.4 tov on 28% shooting and 20% from 3 in 26 mpg. Not sure I would call that very impressive.

Thanks for clarifying, my mistake.

The fat 6/7/2 on 28% shooting can make a highlight reel like that should be enough to show we should just not post highlight reels as evidence of anything

[ATLTimekeeper]

A couple of things I like:

-he has a good floor sense and seems fairly poised out there. To me it looks like he knows when he has to go and when he has to move it.
-he moves really well in all directions. there's nothing clunky.

Where I think he needs the most work

-his handle is just functional for his size, not a weapon. He brings the ball up casually.
-his feet are great but his defensive anticipation is not so good. I've watching him bite too early on the first move. He's got a ways to go defensively. Just to get to the level of, like a Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is going to take some time.

[GoRapstheoriginal]

No Injury update!?!??!?!? Fill me in please/thanks!

[OakleyDokely]

1.5 summer league games:

12.9 MIN, 3.5 PPG, 3.5 REB, 2.0 AST, 0.5 STL, 0.5 BLK, .600 FG (2.5 ATT)

[Scase]

A couple of things I like:

-he has a good floor sense and seems fairly poised out there. To me it looks like he knows when he has to go and when he has to move it.
-he moves really well in all directions. there's nothing clunky.

Where I think he needs the most work

-his handle is just functional for his size, not a weapon. He brings the ball up casually.
-his feet are great but his defensive anticipation is not so good. I've watching him bite too early on the first move. He's got a ways to go defensively. Just to get to the level of, like a Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is going to take some time.

The good signs are that the things he needs to improve on are very teachable, it's not like he's undersized, or has terrible lateral quicks etc. Some good development and you have a solid small ball C, or arguably undersized regular C as his measurements can overcome being a bit shorter.

He's got an NBA ready body, has a wild 7'2 wingspan, and 9'0 standing reach. And since you dont block shots with your head, his height shouldn't be a big drawback.

[PD28]

He's been decent in his limited minutes so far. I expected him to be more aggressive on the court on both ends of the floor. Siakam was running hard and pushing the tempo while Mogbo seems far too casual bringing the ball up. I think his ceiling is an energy big with good team defense - hope the energy part starts showing more.

[manjusaka]

He's been decent in his limited minutes so far. I expected him to be more aggressive on the court on both ends of the floor. Siakam was running hard and pushing the tempo while Mogbo seems far too casual bringing the ball up. I think his ceiling is an energy big with good team defense - hope the energy part starts showing more.

He doesn’t have the same electric aura that Pascal had back in the day. Mogbo is a lot calmer on the court, but he gets to the position quickly. His handle and passes are something we usually don’t see from a 4. I hope he can defend 3 and 2 on ball, but can’t evaluate that given the limited amount of minutes.

[PD28]

He's been decent in his limited minutes so far. I expected him to be more aggressive on the court on both ends of the floor. Siakam was running hard and pushing the tempo while Mogbo seems far too casual bringing the ball up. I think his ceiling is an energy big with good team defense - hope the energy part starts showing more.

He doesn’t have the same electric aura that Pascal had back in the day. Mogbo is a lot calmer on the court, but he gets to the position quickly. His handle and passes are something we usually don’t see from a 4. I hope he can defend 3 and 2 on ball, but can’t evaluate that given the limited amount of minutes.

Mogbo was far more tenacious in college, not sure why he has dialed back. Hopefully its just a conditioning thing. This is where I'm glad that Chomche is giving it 100% on the court at least. Can't be out hustled on the court when you are a backup.

[WuTang_CMB]

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/raptors-mogbo-fulfils-nba-dream-after-taking-unconventional-path-1.2152533

He would play a little basketball and soccer between football seasons but didn’t take up organized hoops until the fourth grade. That’s when he met Scottie Barnes, one of his first AAU teammates.

Mogbo recalls his mom driving them to their first game. He also remembers that they were late; they had to wait outside Barnes’ house as he got ready. They may not have shared the same penchant for being on schedule, but their personalities meshed well and the two became fast friends: Scott and J-Mo.

“He was a funny guy, goofy, I would say he was really goofy,” Mogbo said of Barnes. “I feel like we bonded together because we are similar … We love to bring smiles to peoples’ faces.”




“He brought a lot of joy, just a cool person,” Barnes said of Mogbo. “He did a lot for me growing up … His family are great people, very loving to God, so grateful and blessed, and super humble. Just great people overall, and they have great hearts.”

The two friends played AAU together for a couple years before Barnes switched teams, but they kept in contact and then reconnected when both ended up at Cardinal Newman High School. Needing a place to stay that was closer to the school, Mogbo and his mother took Barnes in. He lived with them for his entire freshman year.

With three teenagers, and the two older boys popping in and out, there was a lot of testosterone in the house. Fortunately, Ms. Mogbo has always had a kind and welcoming heart, and almost always had a pot of her famous oxtail stew – with the accompanying rice and peas – on the stove.

When they weren’t at school or doing homework, Mogbo and Barnes would spend most of their free time working out and playing ball. Zach would get them into runs at LA Fitness and occasionally have to stand up for them when they would beat the older kids.

“They were inseparable,” Ms. Mogbo said. “[Barnes] was a good kid. Let me say it this way, they were both clowns. They were always picking at each other. But it was a privilege to have him. Never gave an ounce of problem. They both ate, they shared everything, they were like brothers.”

[Duffman100]

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/raptors-mogbo-fulfils-nba-dream-after-taking-unconventional-path-1.2152533

He would play a little basketball and soccer between football seasons but didn’t take up organized hoops until the fourth grade. That’s when he met Scottie Barnes, one of his first AAU teammates.

Mogbo recalls his mom driving them to their first game. He also remembers that they were late; they had to wait outside Barnes’ house as he got ready. They may not have shared the same penchant for being on schedule, but their personalities meshed well and the two became fast friends: Scott and J-Mo.

“He was a funny guy, goofy, I would say he was really goofy,” Mogbo said of Barnes. “I feel like we bonded together because we are similar … We love to bring smiles to peoples’ faces.”




“He brought a lot of joy, just a cool person,” Barnes said of Mogbo. “He did a lot for me growing up … His family are great people, very loving to God, so grateful and blessed, and super humble. Just great people overall, and they have great hearts.”

The two friends played AAU together for a couple years before Barnes switched teams, but they kept in contact and then reconnected when both ended up at Cardinal Newman High School. Needing a place to stay that was closer to the school, Mogbo and his mother took Barnes in. He lived with them for his entire freshman year.

With three teenagers, and the two older boys popping in and out, there was a lot of testosterone in the house. Fortunately, Ms. Mogbo has always had a kind and welcoming heart, and almost always had a pot of her famous oxtail stew – with the accompanying rice and peas – on the stove.

When they weren’t at school or doing homework, Mogbo and Barnes would spend most of their free time working out and playing ball. Zach would get them into runs at LA Fitness and occasionally have to stand up for them when they would beat the older kids.

“They were inseparable,” Ms. Mogbo said. “[Barnes] was a good kid. Let me say it this way, they were both clowns. They were always picking at each other. But it was a privilege to have him. Never gave an ounce of problem. They both ate, they shared everything, they were like brothers.”

As much as I don't love catering to players. It will be interesting to hear if this has a positive impact on Barnes and keeps him motivated and happy throughout the season.

[GP2]

Extremely lazy comparison, but all I see is Faried. We didn't get to see much of him in Summer League, but he seemed like he would be the type to devour the competition. And it didn't happen. Hopefully, playing with Scottie unlocks him.

[WuTang_CMB]

utside of the lottery, there was almost no consensus, making it tough to get a sense of where someone like Mogbo would fall. Walton was preparing his client to hear his name called anywhere between picks No. 22-41, a broad range that spoke to the unpredictability of this draft.

The Nuggets and Thunder were both high on Mogbo, but they traded up to draft DaRon Holmes II and Dillon Jones at 22 and 26, respectively. The Hawks and Grizzlies liked him, but neither had picks in that range. The Bucks passed on him at 23, selecting guard AJ Johnson instead, but the belief was that they would not have let him slip past them again at 33.

The Raptors, who were blown away by his workout in Toronto earlier that month, may have considered him at 19 if Ja’Kobe Walter wasn’t available. They were pleasantly surprised he was still there at 31; they had him ranked in the early-20s. But unlike past years, when they would’ve had a few minutes to make their selection in between rounds, they were on the clock for nearly 17 hours thanks to the league’s new two-night draft format.

The extra time gave Toronto a chance to do further due diligence on a couple projected first-rounders who fell unexpectedly, Duke big man Kyle Filipowski and Australian forward Johnny Furphy. The Raptors briefly considered taking Bronny James before deciding against it, according to a source. Nigerian big man Adem Bona, who went to Philadelphia at 41, was also high on their board.

In the end, they made the same decision that they likely would have the night before, making Mogbo the first player selected on the second day of the draft.

Mogbo, who watched with his family and friends from a party room in Fort Lauderdale, was shocked. Toronto is known for keeping these things close to the vest, and this was no exception. Even Barnes, who was standing at the back of Mogbo’s draft party and capturing the moment on video, had no idea that his oldest friend was about to become his newest teammate until the pick was announced.

“With the way our system is, with the way that the game of basketball is going in the NBA, IQ and a feel for the game is so important,” said Raptors assistant general manager Dan Tolzman. “And he’s a guy that checks off a lot of those boxes in terms of understanding how to play. You can plug him in at different spots within our system.”

[ash_k]

Extremely lazy comparison, but all I see is Faried. We didn't get to see much of him in Summer League, but he seemed like he would be the type to devour the competition. And it didn't happen. Hopefully, playing with Scottie unlocks him.

Can't recall seeing Faried play Point Forward in College?

[Duffman100]

Extremely lazy comparison, but all I see is Faried. We didn't get to see much of him in Summer League, but he seemed like he would be the type to devour the competition. And it didn't happen. Hopefully, playing with Scottie unlocks him.

Can't recall seeing Faried play Point Forward in College?

The big difference between the two is Mogbo's passing.

[PoundTown]

Extremely lazy comparison, but all I see is Faried. We didn't get to see much of him in Summer League, but he seemed like he would be the type to devour the competition. And it didn't happen. Hopefully, playing with Scottie unlocks him.

Can't recall seeing Faried play Point Forward in College?

The big difference between the two is Mogbo's passing.

I'd say that's accurate, but I'd also say Faried's a bit more of a quick twitcher and more explosive. Like one poster said, Mogbo's motor didn't run as high in SL as it seemingly did in college. Not sure if he just didn't understand what he was doing system wise yet, but he did look a little bit better in those limited minutes in game 2 before his injury, so who knows; too early to tell, but unfortunately, the jump shot doesn't look close yet. If everything else but the jump shot is good, he might be a good pairing with Kelly off the bench, as Kelly could mitigate his lack of shooting/ spacing a bit, in a bit of a high low big tandem. If he's not providing energy, he shouldn't be getting minutes. That motor needs to be running high for him to be successful.

[Duffman100]

Can't recall seeing Faried play Point Forward in College?

The big difference between the two is Mogbo's passing.

I'd say that's accurate, but I'd also say Faried's a bit more of a quick twitcher and more explosive. Like one poster said, Mogbo's motor didn't run as high in SL as it seemingly did in college. Not sure if he just didn't understand what he was doing system wise yet, but he did look a little bit better in those limited minutes in game 2 before his injury, so who knows; too early to tell, but unfortunately, the jump shot doesn't look close yet. If everything else but the jump shot is good, he might be a good pairing with Kelly off the bench, as Kelly could mitigate his lack of shooting/ spacing a bit, in a bit of a high low big tandem. If he's not providing energy, he shouldn't be getting minutes. That motor needs to be running high for him to be successful.

Yeah I agree. I think Mogbo has that twitchiness / explosiveness, but we just didnt' see it as much in SL.

Hopefully with the increased NBA spacing and system, he'll show more

[ATLTimekeeper]

His growth spurt sounds like a fairy tale.

For all the critics of Scottie's personal trainer, he's Mogbo's trainer, too. That's two NBA players this guy has helped deliver.

[OakleyDokely]

I'm not a fan of the Faried comparison because Faried couldn't pass or defend and those are probably Mogbo's best qualities along with the rebounding.