Fans of the Toronto Raptors didn’t know much about Jakob Poeltl prior to his selection by the team with the #9 pick in 2016. We’ve since learned he met and befriended Delon Wright when both played for the University of Utah Utes (three capital U’s in four words – there’s a first for everything). Delon’s positive comments about Poeltl tipped the balance in favour of his selection.
Jakob’s college career was well above average; he won the highly coveted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pete Newell awards, serious big-man recognition, in his final, sophomore season.
The 2016 draft crop has so far been weak, particularly in comparison with the smokin’ hot 2017 version.