Despite a “lottery pick” status, since it was selected by the Raptors in 13th position in the last Draft, Gradey Dick struggling to launch his career in the NBA. After more than a month in his rookie season, the shooter who passed through Kansas is only averaging 3.9 points per game (24.4% from 3-point range), despite playing 14.7 minutes per game.
To keep the pace and above all the confidence, the young back/winger of Toronto also spends time with the Raptors 905, the team affiliated with the Canadian club in the G-League, while continuing to take part in the first team's matches. A pace that is inevitably difficult to maintain for a 20-year-old who has just left university and is still trying to acclimatize to a completely new professional environment.
“ I keep saying it's mostly the calendar “, has indeed confirmed Gradey Dick. “ We are constantly on the move. From time to time there is a small series of home games, but overall you have the feeling of sleeping in a different city every night. This is the biggest challenge. But it’s a positive challenge. »
Better pace in the G-League
In any case, if the former Jayhawk assures that the “logistical” difficulties are the same in the NBA and in the G-League, he is on the other hand, for the moment, undeniably much more comfortable and efficient on a field of the antechamber of the Great League. Logical, since he plays a lot more (37 minutes per match), and his pace is therefore much better. Just like his productivity, while his playing style remains unchanged.
“ I play in this same role [de shooteur], but at a much higher frequency. On a larger sample of possessions », he adds, he who is in fact averaging 15 points per game with the 905 in the G-League. “ With more minutes, there are more shots to be taken. But I always want to make sure they're good shots. »
Internally, we advocate patience in any case. This is also why the staffs of the two teams (Raptors and 905) apply the same playing precepts, both offensive and defensive. So that players like Gradey Dick, who will undoubtedly spend his entire rookie season going back and forth, are not disturbed.
“ When we have players who are assigned to the G-League, or to a two-way contract, they play in the same system, with us or with the 905 », concludes Darko Rajakovic. “ This helps them with their adjustment. Regarding Gradey, I like his progress, match after match. He's just starting to find his rhythm. »
| Gradey Dick | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | TOR | 15 | 15 | 27.0 | 24.4 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 3.9 |
| Total | 15 | 15 | 27.0 | 24.4 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 3.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
