Latest news with #JaKobeWalter
National Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Young Raptors Ja'Kobe Walter, Chomche, Murray-Boyles coming along nicely in Vegas
The Toronto Raptors are undefeated in Las Vegas, with the latest win coming 101-97 over Denver on Tuesday night. Article content That's two straight close victories now after the opening night annihilation of Chicago. Article content Article content The play of second-year guard Ja'Kobe Walter really stood out against the Nuggets, but his fellow 2024 draft classmate Ulrich Chomche — the youngest player amongst that crop — continues to impress with how far he has come compared to last summer. Article content This corner has repeated often the belief that Walter has a chance to be a really good NBA player and he has shown little in Vegas to disprove us of the notion. Article content He has averaged 18 points in 24 minutes a game (he averaged 11.6 in 24 minutes last summer), had seven steals against Denver and has also been active on the glass. Walter has been strong defensively, like most of his teammates, and looks the part of a strong two-way player. Article content About the only thing you could quibble with is that Walter hasn't shown much growth as a creator for others. He has only two assists and eight turnovers in the three games. Article content But on a team with Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and Jakob Poeltl all able to blend play-making and scoring, in addition to the guards who can do that, we're not sure Walter will really need to do much table-setting. Article content They will need pull-up three-point shooters (Immanuel Quickley and Ingram will be keys, but they need more beyond that) and Walter was hot on those types of shots on Tuesday. He looked comfortable pulling up against Denver and that needs to continue. Article content Article content Ja'Kobe Walter did a little bit of everything in the @Raptors win tonight in Vegas! 🦖 26 points 🦖 7 steals 🦖 4 rebounds 🦖 4 triples — NBA (@NBA) July 16, 2025
National Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Raptors Summer League takeaways: The kids are alright
It's possible the 'Toronto Raptors' just played the best game a Raptors team will turn in all season. Article content Yes, it came at Las Vegas Summer League Friday night and, sure, only two locks to be in head coach Darko Rajakovic's rotation (Jamal Shead and Ja'Kobe Walter) suited up and it needs to be noted that opponent Chicago was nowhere close to a real NBA outfit, but that was one heck of a start. Article content Article content Article content Even the news just prior to tip-off that prized rookie Collin Murray-Boyles would be held out due to a left adductor strain couldn't spoil the day for the summer Raptors. The group looked hungry, aggressive but still measured enough to keep the fouling under control and simply overwhelmed the hapless Bulls, who turned the ball over 33 times. Article content Here are some takeaways: Article content • Maybe hold off on assuming Jonathan Mogbo's minutes will be replaced by Murray-Boyles and others. The 31st pick a year ago was arguably the best player on the court. Not only did he hit all but one of his eight shot attempts (though none were of the three-point variety, something Mogbo needs to change), but he also was as good as anyone defensively. When Chicago's most talented player, Matas Buzelis, tried to make things happen, Mogbo was there to say absolutely not repeatedly. It was impressive stuff. Article content The real Raptors are stacked with long, big men who do many things well, with shooting being the exception. Mogbo is one of them, but if he keeps playing like this, Rajakovic might have to find a spot for him. Article content Article content Keep in mind that Mogbo flashed his potential late in the season with one triple-double in April, another game where he was a point shy of a triple double, another where he had eight points, rebounds and assists and one where he was three assists short. Meaningless games or not, it isn't easy to consistently fill the boxscore like that and offence isn't even what will get Mogbo on an NBA court. Article content Article content • Despite only being around for 31 years, the Raptors arguably boast the most impressive history of elite slam dunkers in league history. Vince Carter is widely regarded as the best dunker of all-time, Tracy McGrady, Terrence Ross and DeMar DeRozan were also nearly as good as it gets and Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard had some historic jams too with the team in the playoffs. Hardcore Raptors fans remember the likes of Keon Clark, Sonny Weems, Fred Jones and Jamario Moon as well. We feel confident adding Alijah Martin to the list after one appearance. This year's 39th pick threw down an absolutely silly one-handed cradle jam in the second quarter that probably will be the best dunk of Summer League this year.
National Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Raptors Summer League primer: Look for Ja'Kobe Walter, Shead, rookies to impress
Toronto Raptors fans that have grown used to their favourite team losing most games are in for something different the next couple of weeks. Article content Toronto has brought a powerhouse of a roster to Las Vegas for the NBA's annual Summer League slate. Article content Article content The benefit of winning only a third of the time over the past two years has been an influx of young talent — maybe not the top-of-the-lottery additions bad teams dream of, but enough solid prospects to start to turn a corner, which is the plan for 2025-26. Article content Article content But before that, Toronto brings a group with the second-best odds of winning the Vegas tournament (behind Utah, according to the prognosticators). Article content It's a change from recent editions which featured only one or two intriguing names and is actually a bit of a callback to the most storied Raptors summer roster of 2017, which included stalwarts Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl. Article content The hope is there's a future all-star or two from the current crop, which is headlined by this year's No. 9 overall draft selection Collin Murray-Boyles, recent first-rounder Ja'Kobe Walter, and second-rounders Jamal Shead, Jonathan Mogbo, Alijah Martin and Ulrich Chomche, plus shooter Jamison Battle and defensive standout Chucky Hepburn. The team will be coached by Raptors assistant James Wade. Article content Murray-Boyles doesn't really have the type of game that typically stands out in the run-and-gun, erratic Summer League circuit, but this will be a first look in an 'NBA environment' for the highly touted former South Carolina star. Article content How will he look alongside new teammates like Walter and Shead, who Murray-Boyles likely will play with plenty off Toronto's bench to begin the season? How has his jumper come along? How has the work he has done on his body progressed in terms of slimming down a bit? Article content The Toronto Raptors have selected Collin Murray-Boyles with the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2025
National Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Raptors Summer League primer: Look for Ja'Kobe Walter, Gradey Dick, rookies to impress
Toronto Raptors fans that have grown used to their favourite team losing most games are in for something different the next couple of weeks. Article content Toronto has brought a powerhouse of a roster to Las Vegas for the NBA's annual Summer League slate. Article content Article content The benefit of winning only a third of the time over the past two years has been an influx of young talent — maybe not the top-of-the-lottery additions bad teams dream of, but enough solid prospects to start to turn a corner, which is the plan for 2025-26. Article content Article content But before that, Toronto brings a group with the second-best odds of winning the Vegas tournament (behind Utah, according to the prognosticators). Article content It's a change from recent editions which featured only one or two intriguing names and is actually a bit of a callback to the most storied Raptors summer roster of 2017, which included stalwarts Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl. Article content The hope is there's a future all-star or two from the current crop, which is headlined by this year's No. 9 overall draft selection Collin Murray-Boyles, recent first-rounders Ja'Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick, and second-rounders Jamal Shead, Jonathan Mogbo, Alijah Martin and Ulrich Chomche, plus shooter Jamison Battle and defensive standout Chucky Hepburn. Article content The team will be coached by Raptors assistant James Wade. Article content Murray-Boyles doesn't really have the type of game that typically stands out in the run-and-gun, erratic Summer League circuit, but this will be a first look in an 'NBA environment' for the highly touted former South Carolina star. Article content How will he look alongside new teammates like Walter, Dick and Shead, who Murray-Boyles likely will play with plenty off Toronto's bench to begin the season? How has his jumper come along? How has the work he has done on his body progressed in terms of slimming down a bit? Article content The Toronto Raptors have selected Collin Murray-Boyles with the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. — Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2025
