TORONTO – Mo Bamba is aware of he suits in properly within the Toronto Raptors’ locker room. Now he simply has to seek out his place with them on the court docket.
The seven-foot centre signed with Toronto on Sunday and made his Raptors debut the following evening, enjoying 4 minutes in a 107-106 win over the Orlando Magic.
Bamba was nonetheless discovering his footing lower than 24 hours into becoming a member of his sixth NBA staff — his baggage was misplaced on his technique to Toronto — however mentioned getting acclimated was extra about studying the Raptors’ lingo than studying his teammates’ names.
“Though a whole lot of groups do a whole lot of the identical stuff, each staff has their very own terminology,” mentioned Bamba, sitting in entrance of his new locker at Scotiabank Enviornment. “So a down right here may be an ice elsewhere, or, you recognize, a left name on a choose and roll is occurring right here may be a weak name elsewhere.
“Everybody runs the identical performs, usually, nevertheless it’s all completely different phrases. However if you’ve been blessed to be across the league for so long as I’ve, you choose up on these items.”
Bamba was taken sixth total by Orlando on the 2018 NBA draft however didn’t catch on with the Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans over seven seasons. He’s averaged 6.8 factors, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 16.8 minutes in 364 NBA video games (101 begins).
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He performed 14 video games for the Salt Lake Metropolis Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, this season and was strong in averaging 16.5 factors, 12.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.9 blocks and 28.7 minutes.
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“It at all times simply exhibits you ways laborious it’s to make it on this sport,” mentioned Bamba on his time within the G-League. “How dialled in it’s essential to be, and the way proficient these 450 guys (within the NBA) are.
“However it’s additionally a way of watching and understanding that I belong.”
There was little doubt in Bamba’s thoughts, nevertheless, that he belongs in a Raptors locker-room crammed with acquainted faces.
“I do know all people on the staff,” mentioned Bamba, gesturing across the room. “RJ (Barrett) jogged my memory that he stayed at my home when he was in school in Orlando. Scottie (Barnes), I’ve identified for some time. I do know all of those guys
“I performed towards (Immanuel Quickley) after we have been seventh grade. It’s loopy.”
These teammates Bamba didn’t know earlier than this yr knew of him.
“I feel we’ve simply acquired to assist Mo just a little bit with the ins and outs of the defence and the offence,” mentioned backup guard Jamal Shead. “His ability set and what he brings and I feel he may actually assist us as soon as his motor will get going.
“I’ve seen it firsthand. He went to (the College of Texas) and I’m an Austin child, so I’ve seen Mo firsthand and what he can accomplish and what he can do. I’m excited to play with him.”
The Raptors have a urgent want for Bamba’s measurement and expertise as beginning centre Jakob Poeltl might be out for a minimum of per week with a sore decrease again. Bamba will share time on the 5 spot with Sandro Mamukelashvili, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, and Scottie Barnes enjoying out of his best position as a swingman.
Murray-Boyles mentioned that Bamba’s capacity to dam photographs might be a “large” asset. Bamba has common 1.3 blocks per sport over his profession.
“Everyone is aware of that we wanted that,” mentioned Murray-Boyles. “We’ve been operating a whole lot of small ball 5, particularly with Jak being out, it has been simply me, Sandro and Scott.
“So positively having anyone else to guard the paint, get extra rebounds, one thing that we actually want.”
It regarded just like the Raptors’ patchwork core of centres can be sorely examined on Wednesday evening, when the Denver Nuggets come to Toronto. However Nuggets star centre Nikola Jokic hyperextended his left knee on Monday in a 147-123 loss to the Miami Warmth. The staff mentioned Tuesday that the three-time MVP might be re-evaluated in 4 weeks.
It’s an apparent blow to the already short-handed Nuggets — however is just not a season-ending harm nor one that may require surgical restore. If Jokic misses a month, meaning he can be sidelined for about 16 video games however may very well be enjoying once more earlier than February’s NBA All-Star Sport.
— With information from The Related Press.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Dec. 30, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
