In a league filled with exceptional athletes, there are a few players who stand out. Agbaji, the recently acquired guard for the Toronto Raptors, is one of those players who wows even the most experienced basketball veterans. Kelly Olynyk, an 11-year NBA veteran and Agbaji’s teammate, describes him as one of the most physically talented players he’s ever seen. Agbaji has a 6-foot-5 frame with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, making him a valuable asset on defense. He can guard opposing guards and even supersized wings.
Agbaji was highly anticipated coming out of the 2022 draft after winning a national championship with the Kansas Jayhawks as the tournament’s most outstanding player. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 14 pick, which was later traded to the Utah Jazz for Donovan Mitchell. However, Agbaji’s performance in his first 110 career games has been somewhat disappointing, with his three-point shooting not developing as hoped and averaging only 6.7 points per game.
Despite this, the Raptors see potential in Agbaji and believe he fits the mold of the hardworking, high character, two-way players they have pursued in the past. General Manager Bobby Webster sees Agbaji as a young player with a lot of upside.
Toronto has had their eye on Agbaji for some time, with Raptors president Masai Ujiri having a prior relationship with Agbaji’s father. Ujiri reached out to Agbaji after the trade, making him feel like he was part of the family in Toronto. However, the Jazz essentially gave up on Agbaji, trading him and Olynyk for a late first-round pick in a weak draft. Despite being an older prospect, Agbaji is excited for the fresh start in Toronto and is ready to show more of his game, particularly on defense. The Raptors are hoping Agbaji can be a versatile defender and above-average three-point shooter, and are eager to see what he can do on the court. With plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills, Toronto is determined to help Agbaji reach his full potential.
