The Toronto Raptors selected Florida guard Alijah Martin with the 39th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Raptors had an opportunity to draft a center as Maxime Raynaud was still on the board, but they decide to prioritize defense once again.
Martin is an undersized guard at 6-foot-2, he but brings explosiveness and defensive versatility to the Raptors franchise. He hangs his hat on defense. He averaged a career-high 14.4 points this past season to help Florida win the national title. He also posted 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals. He shot 36 percent on 5.4 three-point attempts in college.
He’s a winning player and culture setter who will fit in what the Raptors are trying to build.
The 23-year-old previously played his first four college campaigns at Florida Atlantic before transferring to Florida.
The Raptors went all-in on defense with their two draft picks. In Martin and Collin MUrray-Boyles they have two tremendous defenders and tone setters. The Raptors offense remains a question mark, but their defense is going to be much improved going into next season.
Toronto took Murray-Boyles with the 9th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
While the Raptors didn’t address their big man void, they were able to draft two hard-nose defenders with winning mentalities.
Collin Murray-Boyles went viral for his reaction when the Toronto Raptors selected him No. 9 in the 2025 NBA Draft.
When NBA commissioner Adam Silver called his name, Murray-Boyles stood up, buttoned his jacket and quietly dropped an f-bomb.
The moment was caught on ESPN and then made its rounds on social media as fans speculated if his reaction was out of disappointment or shock.
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