O.G. Anunoby Ends Season as NBA's Steals Champion

Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby became the first player in franchise history to lead the NBA in steals this season

Aaron Rose | Apr 9, 2023

O.G. Anunoby Ends Season as NBA's Steals Champion /

In this story:

Toronto Raptors

For the first time in franchise history, the NBA's steals champion is a Toronto Raptors.

It was a campaign every seemed to know was coming from O.G. Anunoby. If only the 25-year-old forward could stay healthy for a season. He'd averaged 1.5 steals per game in each of the last two years, putting him in the upper echelon of pick-pocketers. This year, though, Anunoby took his game to another level, finishing the season with 1.9 steals per game, edging Jimmy Butler for the per-game crown, and 128 steals total, topping De'Anthony Melton by two steals on the overall steals leaderboard.

"The steals thing is kind of a unique thing for him," said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. "He can really dart into a passing lane at any moment and he’s such a big body and player to do that. Usually, those guys are smaller, quicker guys that are just in the mix for that stuff, so that’s unique."

What made Anunoby so special for Toronto this season was his ability to go up against opposing superstars regardless of their position. On any given night he could be tasked with defending Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid or Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan.

"He really has guarded literally every position and had some nights where he’s given some really, really good players a tough time out there," Nurse added. "I hope he gets recognized for that. I can’t see who else does what he does defensively and positionally in the league and does such a good job of that."

Only four players, Mikal Bridges, Dejounte Murray, Anthony Edwards, and Dillon Brooks faced more difficult defensive matchups on a nightly bases, per Crafted NBA's stats. Anunoby also ranked eighth in defensive versatility, trailing Scottie Barnes who led the league in positions defended, per Crafted NBA.

"Defensive player of the year," said Precious Achiuwa. "Amazing. He can guard multiple positions. The way he plays defense, his instincts, when he's guarding someone or playing off the ball, it's crazy."

If Anunoby earns All-Defense recognition this season, he'll be just the second Raptors player to earn the nod, joining Kawhi Leonard who earned second-team honors in 2018-19.

With six steals recorded as a team Sunday, Toronto also set a single-season franchise record with 770 steals and averaged a league-best 9.4 steals per game.

"That's something that we emphasize and it's good to see it," said Nurse. "When you sit down and say, well, how are we going to play this is this is one thing we can do well, and to do it over the course of 82 games means there was a lot of good effort and energy and a lot of good pressure and aggressiveness out there."

Further Reading