Jalen Celestine gets shot with hometown Raptors

The Toronto Raptors continue to waste no time after the 2026 NBA Draft. With draft night now behind them, the Raps have already started putting together its Summer League roster. According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Toronto has added Ajax, Ont., native Jalen Celestine.

Celestine arrives after spending his final NCAA season with the Cincinnati Bearcats. In 32 games, the guard averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 40.5 per cent from three-point range on 5.4 attempts per game.

Some memorable moments in his final year with the Bearcats came in Cincinnati’s Big 12 Tournament win over Utah, where he scored a season-high 19 points and surpassed 1,000 career collegiate points. He also chipped in 11 points and five rebounds against UCF in the following game of the tournament.

The Raptors have already added two players through the draft, selecting Santa Clara forward Allen Graves with the 19th overall pick and Arizona guard Jaden Bradley at No. 50.

Toronto has also handed an Exhibit 10 contract to guard Nimari Burnett as the organization continues to build out its roster heading into the summer.

The Raptors will open play at the Las Vegas Summer League on July 9. Last year, Toronto posted a 4-1 record before its run ended in the semifinals against the Sacramento Kings.

Beyond Summer League preparations, the Raptors continue take part in offseason rumours around the league. Before LaMelo Ball was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Toronto was reportedly among the teams that had interest in the All-Star guard calibre guard.

The organization has also been connected to Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard. The former Raptors star has been mentioned as a potential reunion candidate after helping Toronto capture the first NBA championship in franchise history in 2019.