Raptors add – Toronto has added Canadian guard Jalen Celestine, an Ajax native and recent Cincinnati Bearcats fifth-year, to its Las Vegas Summer League roster.
The Toronto Raptors may have missed out on any immediate offseason fireworks after the NBA Draft, but their Summer League plans are already taking shape. A familiar name is coming home.
Toronto has added guard Jalen Celestine—an Ajax, Ont. native—to its Summer League roster, with Sportsnet’s Michael Grange reporting the move. Celestine joins the franchise that’s local to his roots after spending his fifth NCAA season with the Cincinnati Bearcats.
In 32 games for the Bearcats, Celestine averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists. His shooting profile stands out too: he hit 40.5 per cent from beyond the arc, attempting 5.4 three-pointers per game.
The Raptors’ offseason attention on guard depth is also tied to what happened earlier in the draft cycle. Celestine previously worked out with Toronto leading into the draft, and the Raptors selected Allen Graves with the 19th overall pick and Jaden Bradley with the 50th overall pick.
Celestine won’t be the only Toronto link to the college ranks turning into Summer League work. The roster also includes Burnett and Bittle. with Burnett averaging 8.2 points. 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 37.5 per cent from three as a senior starter through 40 games with the National Champion Wolverines. Bittle’s numbers were built around production and presence as well. making 25 appearances for the Oregon Ducks and averaging 16.8 points. 6.9 rebounds. 2.6 assists and 1.8 blocks.
Las Vegas Summer League action is set to begin on July 9. The Raptors’ last trip through the tournament ended with promise and pain: Toronto went 4-1 during the off-season event before losing to the Sacramento Kings in the semifinals.
That loss still lingers at the back of the storyline heading into this year’s showcase. With Celestine now added. the Raptors will get a new look at a hometown guard whose recent season—eight points plus per game with efficient three-point shooting—comes with clear reasons for Toronto to keep evaluating him in live games.
Toronto Raptors Jalen Celestine Summer League Las Vegas Summer League Cincinnati Bearcats Ajax Ont Allen Graves Jaden Bradley NBA Draft Oregon Ducks Wolverines