The Toronto Raptors selected Forward Jonathan Mogbo with the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Mogbo played four years in college, most recently with the San Francisco Dons. Mogbo averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds last year for the Dons while being named to the All-WCC 1st team. After his long journey, he was the first pick of the 2nd round of this year’s NBA Draft.
The Raptors are coming off a tough season where they finished with a record of 25-57 and were 12th in the Eastern Conference. Toronto is going through a massive rebuild and is looking for younger players they can develop for the future. This should allow Mogbo to play a lot of minutes next year.
What Jonathan Mogbo Brings To The Raptors
Despite only being 6’8”, Mogbo still dominated the WCC in the post. His athleticism to get above the rim set him apart from everyone else on the floor. The pick-and-roll into an alley-oop was heavily utilized for the Dons this past season.
In addition to his offensive production, Mogbo is skilled at boxing out and protecting the rim on defense. His ball awareness is one of his biggest strengths in addition to his athleticism. The Raptors, picking him 31st overall in the NBA Draft, liked what they saw.
There are some things Mogbo will need to improve upon. Being an undersized big, he has to get better at playmaking and being confident taking jump shots. When Mogbo faced teams with good big men last season, they would dare him to beat them from outside the paint. He was very hesitant to take mid-range jump shots and to handle the ball around the perimeter. He’s going to have to improve on that. Overall, he has a lot of potential to do great things.
Mogbo’s Journey To Being An NBA Draft Pick
When Jonathan Mogbo puts on his Toronto uniform for the first time, it will be the fifth different team he has played for in the last five seasons following the NBA Draft. After high school in Florida, he started his collegiate career at Independence Community College in Kansas. After one season there, he transferred to Division II Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Seeking a Division I opportunity, Mogbo went from A&M to DI Missouri State. There he averaged eight points per game. He received interest from many other DI schools. Mogbo took his talents to the West Coast, where he played his final collegiate season for the USF Dons. The Dons had a great campaign in 2023-24 which helped his NBA Draft stock.
The Raptors are getting a talented forward who has shown the ability to adapt to every situation around him.
About the Author
Cory is an Oregon Duck alumni from the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been playing, watching, and following basketball + baseball his whole life. Follow Cory on X @cory_pappas1 for more breaking stories and game previews.
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