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Toronto Raptors: Top 5 Draft Picks Since 1995

By Joshua Howe

Oct 18, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Antawn Jamison (33) and Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard (11) go for a rebound in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Antawn Jamison (33) and Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard (11) go for a rebound in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 16, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats assistant coach Damon Stoudamire talks to forward Brandon Ashley (21) during the second half against the Cal State Northridge Matadors at McKale Center. Arizona won 86-68. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats assistant coach Damon Stoudamire talks to forward Brandon Ashley (21) during the second half against the Cal State Northridge Matadors at McKale Center. Arizona won 86-68. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Damon Stoudamire

Taken Seventh Overall in 1995

To kick off the Raptors’ inaugural season (in which they eventually went 21-61), they needed to prove that they deserved a spot in the league. They ended up with the seventh pick and the pressure was on to select someone who could really give the team a boost and make them noticeable. The fact that it was the franchise’s first ever draft also magnified the choice.

General manager Isiah Thomas went with a surprising pick to some: the 5’11” point guard from Arizona, Damon Stoudamire.

The pick didn’t stay surprising for long. Right from the get-go Stoudamire dazzled with an excellent blend of explosive scoring and brilliant passing. Despite being so short, he was a great rebounder and worked hard on the defensive end.

His efforts earned him not only the 1995-6 Rookie of the Year award, but also the beloved nickname Mighty Mouse from Raptors fans.

And mighty he was. Check out the numbers from his first two seasons in the league:

  • 1995-6: 19.0ppg, 9.3apg, 4.0rpg, 1.4spg, 42.6 FG%, 39.5 3FG%,
  • 1996-7: 20.2ppg, 8.8apg, 4.1rpg, 1.5spg, 40.1 FG%, 35.5 3FG%

In a way, Stoudamire was the first Kyle Lowry to the franchise.

Here are some highlights from those two seasons:

  • Won the 1995-6 Rookie of the Year award, receiving 76 of 113 votes
  • Set the record for three-pointers made by a rookie with 133, breaking Dennis Scott’s record (record currently held by Damian Lillard with 185)
  • Third in assist average by a rookie
  • Ranked second in scoring among all rookies in 1995-6
  • Led all rookies in minutes played and assists in 1995-6
  • Made the All Rookie First Team
  • MVP of the Rookie All-Star Game in 1995-6
  • Third lowest draft pick ever to win Rookie of the Year (lowest is Mark Jackson, who was taken 18th overall)
  • Shortest player ever to win Rookie of the Year

Unfortunately, the bond between Mighty Mouse and the Raps was not to last. Stoudamire was traded (along with Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers) during the next season after 49 games to the Portland Trail Blazers for Kenny Anderson, Alvin Williams, Gary Trent, two first-rounders, a second-rounder and cash considerations.

He never again reached the same individual heights as he had in his first two seasons with the Raps. So it’s fitting that Toronto fans remember him most fondly.

Despite having only been around for a couple seasons, he still has a place on some of Toronto’s franchise records lists:

  • First in minutes per game (41.1)
  • Third in steals (1,761)
  • Seventh in threes made (374)
  • Ninth in free throws made (745)
  • 10th in points (3,917)
  • 10th in steals (301)

People often forget how good Stoudamire really was. But we shouldn’t. He was the right pick and for two years, one of the best players Toronto has ever had.

Next: Number 2

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