Toronto Raptors take guard Gradey Dick 13th overall in NBA Draft.
Posted June 22, 2023 8:41 pm.
Last Updated June 22, 2023 9:41 pm.
The Toronto Raptors selected Gradey Dick of Kansas with the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday.
Donning an astoundingly bright red suit, tattered with glitter and as much flair as you can ask for, Dick came to the draft wearing the colours of the team that would eventually take him.
The Toronto Raptors select Gradey Dick with the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. ???? pic.twitter.com/cGGNNMgvnP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 23, 2023
“So I’m from Kansas, obviously, Dorothy’s got her little red slippers so I made that come into the jacket,” Dick said in describing his draft day look as an ode to the Wizard of Oz.
“It’s a dream come true,” he added about his selection by the Raptors. “It’s a perfect place for me to be at.”
The six-foot-six guard from Wichita, Kansas made it clear that he doesn’t lack the confidence of the Lion from the Wizard of Oz, knocking down shot after shot in his one year with the Kansas Jayhawks.
He averaged 14.1 points a game while shooting 40.3 per cent from long range on 5.7 attempts per game.
That shooting is a much-needed asset for the Raptors, who finished last season as the third-worst three-point shooting team in the league, knocking down only 33.5 per cent of their looks from deep.
RELATED: Victor Wembanyama is the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, with expectations of stardom
His shooting mechanics are top-notch and was a strong shooter off the catch, knocking down 37 per cent of his shots from those looks. Whether it was in transition, off the dribble, or off a handoff, he was exceptionally gifted at getting the ball in the hoop.
Dick is more than just a shooter though. He excelled in a ball-movement heavy Jayhawks offence, showcasing strong playmaking chops after attacking closeouts and on drives. He’s also not scared of getting physical and has nice touch when finishing at the rim.
https://twitter.com/LindsayDunnTV/status/1672054757890957313
Though his offence is what the Raptors were looking for, he’ll need to work on his defence at the next level. He doesn’t have the strength to bang bodies down low or the lateral quickness to move with some of the quicker guards, but he’ll be joining a Raptors team building around strong help defence and switching.
Raptors assistant GM Dan Tolzman said that they don’t draft based on their current roster situation and instead choose to always go with the best player available. However, in this case, the Raptors may have gotten both, with Dick addressing the biggest team need while also being one of the highest-rated prospects left on the board.
It is the third time Toronto has had a lottery selection in the past decade.
It was also the Raptors’ lone pick of the draft.
