Gradey Dick Struggles in G League Debut with Raptors 905

Toronto Raptors first-round pick Gradey Dick struggled in his G League debut shooting just 1-for-12 for the Raptors 905
Gradey Dick Struggles in G League Debut with Raptors 905
Gradey Dick Struggles in G League Debut with Raptors 905 /
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Gradey Dick’s first G League game didn’t exactly go as hoped.

The Toronto Raptors assigned their 2023 first-round pick to the Raptors 905 on Friday night hoping to kickstart his development with some G League reps. He’d been bouncing in and out of the rotation with his minutes fluctuating from game to game and considering his lackluster start with the Raptors, the organization felt it was wise to get him some extended playing time with the 905.

On Saturday, though, it wasn’t pretty.

Dick shot 1-for-12 from the field and 0-for-6 from three-point range with three turnovers to just one assist in a 115-101 loss for the 905 to the Capital City Go-Go. It’s the continuation of a somewhat concerning trend for the 20-year-old who was considered among the best shooters coming out of college this past year.

It’s too early to be too concerned about Dick who is just 15 games into his NBA career, but his shooting stats have been alarming. He’s converting just 27% of his shots this year with the Raptor and his three-point percentage sits at 24.4%. That is the lowest three-point percentage for any rookie who has attempted at least 40 three-pointers this year.

“The biggest change obviously is just the distance,” Dick said earlier in the month of the NBA three-point line that’s four inches deeper than the college three. “When you first start shooting from a different distance, it’ll take a little bit to get used to, but I think (if) you do it enough and you get used to it.”

Dick will remain with the 905 on Sunday and potentially for a few more games before he returns to the Raptors down the road.


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Aaron Rose
AARON ROSE

Aaron Rose is a Toronto-based reporter covering the Toronto Raptors since 2020.