27-06-2025
Former Wisconsin basketball star signs two-way contract with NBA team
Louisville's Chucky Hepburn – the ACC Defensive Player of the Year – has agreed to a two-way NBA contract with the Toronto Raptors, sources tell ESPN.
Former Wisconsin basketball star Chucky Hepburn agreed to a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
News of Hepburn's contract arrived shortly after the second round of the 2025 NBA draft on Thursday evening, an event that welcomed another 29 newcomers to the professional stage. Hepburn's two-way deal with Toronto will enable him to split time between the Raptors and their G League affiliate, Raptors 905.
The development isn't uncommon for undrafted college standouts. Arizona's Caleb Love signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, St. John's RJ Luis Jr. agreed to a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz and Gonzaga's Ryan Nembhard inked one with the Miami Heat, to name a few.
Prior to the draft, the Omaha, Nebraska, native participated in the G League Elite Camp before working out for the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets, per the RookieWire's Cody Taylor. His introduction to Toronto's brass, while brief, appears to have paid off.
Following his stint in Madison, Hepburn transferred to the Louisville Cardinals and delivered his most prolific individual season of his collegiate career. In 30 games, the feisty guard averaged 16.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals per contest while shooting 43% from the field, 33% from 3 and 84.4% from the free-throw line. The output even earned him a spot on the First Team All-ACC and the 2024-25 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award.
While at UW, Hepburn morphed into a fan favorite with clutch performances and timely buckets. From 2021-2024, he averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 32.1 minutes across 103 games.
The Raptors roster includes several ball-handlers, including Immanuel Quickly, R.J. Barrett, Jamal Shead and A.J. Lawson. If Hepburn shows out with Raptors 905, he could certainly fill the team's need for an on-ball defender at the point guard position. His journey in the G League will begin in November.
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