Chucky Hepburn, the Louisville guard who previously earned accolades as the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, has signed a two-way contract with the Toronto Raptors, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Hepburn, standing at 6’2″, has a solid collegiate career under his belt. Over four years, he started 137 games, initially playing three seasons at Wisconsin before transferring to the Cardinals. During his time in Louisville, he significantly improved his offensive contributions, averaging 16.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 steals in his final season. His shooting percentages were also impressive, with 43.2% from the field, 32.8% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 84.4% from the free-throw line.
Noteworthy performances include scoring 14 points in the ACC championship game against Duke and contributing 22 points along with six assists in a challenging NCAA Tournament opener against Creighton.
With the Raptors having an open two-way slot after the previous season, Hepburn is expected to start his professional journey in the G League, where he can further develop his skills. However, given his collegiate experience and defensive prowess, he stands a good chance of stepping into the NBA if any injuries impact the Raptors’ backcourt.
This move demonstrates the Raptors’ commitment to nurturing young talent, and Hepburn’s track record suggests he could become a valuable asset to the team moving forward.