Blake Murphy Sports Writing

Title: Raptors Mock Draft: Reacting to Hollinger’s selection of Zeke Nnaji at No. 29
Date: November 10, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I broke down John Hollinger’s mock draft from a Raptors perspective, where he has them selecting Zeke Nnaji.

The Toronto Raptors could have a big need at centre. In his latest mock draft, The Athletic’s John Hollinger looked to fill that need. With the No. 29 pick in the Nov. 18 NBA Draft, Hollinger mocked Zeke Nnaji, a 19-year-old centre out of Arizona, going to the Raptors.

From Hollinger’s mock draft:

“Enter Nnaji. He gives them a big man who shoots well enough to space the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell, while also offering some board muscle. His defensive ability at the next level is a concern, but this is what you get at 29.”

You have to think way back to May, but we’re actually well-prepared for a Nnaji selection. He was one of the first bigs we profiled when looking at options for the Raptors at No. 29 (then presumed to be No. 28). Here’s what I wrote at the time.

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