The Toronto Raptors have been actively expanding their pre-draft evaluations, recently welcoming a diverse group of prospects to their training facilities for workouts. On June 16, they hosted a lineup that included French guard Nolan Traore, Russian and BYU guard Egor Demin, Chinese center Hansen Yang, Louisville guard Chucky Hepburn, and Alabama big man Clifford Omoruyi.
Nolan Traore, who recently turned 19, is a highly sought-after player projected to be a first-round draft pick. After a strong finish with Saint-Quentin last season, he faced some challenges early on but rebounded impressively, posting averages of 13.7 points, 5.1 assists, and shooting 47.6 percent from the field over his last 12 games. His combination of speed and playmaking abilities has made him a standout prospect.
Egor Demin, another promising first-round candidate, is a 6-foot-8 point guard known for his size and proficiency in passing. During his time at BYU, Demin averaged 10.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, showcasing his versatility on the court.
Hansen Yang has also drawn attention, boasting impressive stats from his stint with the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association. Averaging 15.8 points and 10.7 rebounds, Yang’s physical attributes—standing at 7-foot-1 and possessing a remarkable wingspan—make him an intriguing prospect, projected to be selected in the second round.
Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn and Alabama’s Clifford Omoruyi have both experienced a transition in their collegiate careers, with Hepburn achieving career highs during his senior season and Omoruyi excelling in field goal percentage at Alabama. While both are currently regarded as undrafted prospects, their performances could potentially attract interest from teams looking for value in the later stages of the draft.
The Raptors’ focus on such a diverse group of players reflects their strategy to enhance their roster with global talent and varying skill sets. As the draft approaches, the team’s commitment to scouting and evaluating different prospects presents an exciting opportunity for fans and a hopeful direction for the franchise’s future.