After selecting Kansas shooting guard Gradey Dick with the 13th overall pick in the NBA draft, the Toronto Raptors were not done and signed undrafted free agent Markuis Nnwell to a two-way contract. Nowell was a standout in the NCAA with Kansas State and was a SUPERSTAR in March Madness helping carry the Wildcats to the Elite 8. His successes on court garnered NBA interest but the big problem? He is only 5’8.
They say it is heart over height and there is no doubt that Nowell has a ton of heart, but there is a lot of height to overcome if he is to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
What Makes Markquis Nowell such an exciting player? How did a player of his size manage to get himself an NBA contract? Jacob Gramegna takes a deep dive into the player and what he can bring to the Toronto Raptors in today’s video on Amateur Hour Sports.
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0:00 – Overview
0:49 – Who is Markquis Nowell
2:20 – College Stats
3:49 – Strengths
6:33 – Weaknesses
8:24 – Why the Raptors signed HIM
This is Amateur Hour Sports. On this channel, Jacob Gramegna analyzes and breaks down the latest on the Toronto Raptors NBA team from trade rumors to post-game reactions, analysis, and much more. By subscribing to this channel you will be there first to watch and enjoy 3-4 videos a week all focused on this team and on game days Jacob goes live on the channel for a watch party where he interacts with chat, answers your questions, and analyses the game as it happens with play by play and commentary. Join the Amateur Hour Army today by subscribing and consider becoming a member to give extra support to the channel and help create better content more often.
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#raptors #nbadraft #markquisnowell
27 Comments
What do you think Markquis Nowell's role will be with the Raptors?
Side bar, AH are you a Nascar head? I'm a Nascar fan and grew up a HUGE Rusty Wallace/Mark Martin/Carl Edwards/Kasey Kane/Kevin Harvick were (and are) my favorites!!!
Isaiah Thomas was a stud and a #1. If dude can ball, which it seems like he can at the college level, then he can thrive.
I think by the end of summer league they will convert his two way into a standard contract and he will start a few games
HE WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON THIS TEAM! why? Have you seen what he did against bigger men in the ncaa tourney? He ran circles around the lottery guy cason wallace and practically broke down defenses with his drive penetration, basically this dude is gonna be Elite .. watch and see .. steal of the draft. I even believe he has a better ceiling than fvv. Despite his size it doesn't matter , this dude got kobe and jordan in his veins…he chose #24 for a reason. And you gotta live up to it… Norman didn't, but nowell will!!!!!
If he can run the 905 unit and help others develop, a great assist guy, he will easily earn this opportunity. Will he see the NBA, even as a 2way, I doubt it and that's ok.
He's earned his shot to make it to the NBA. Lets see what he what he can do and go from there.
I mean, hopefully we sign Jakob, at least we have some decent drop coverage if we play him… shield him a little bit… though it still will be a little tough if taller players just shoot over him. Can't help rebound that much.. so I get why teams passed up on him. That said, why not give him a try?
Possible his height is not a problem but to his opponents who’s taller which makes them hard to bend. Let see how he performs, he seems really good and fast…
He has a massive hurdle to overcomw, I wouldn't get too excited over him.
Purely skill-wise, a good player comparison is Trae by just the amount of space he creates and breaks down defenses to find the open man. Of course, he is not at the same level but you can see him backing up Young in ATL to keep the same pace with the bench. We would be lucky to have even 35-45% of what Trae brings to the table for back of the bench emergency depth guy to come in with Dowtin and Dalano.
If he can develop to a really good guard like Isaiah Thomas, man he’s going to be a huge inspiration to short people that you can still make the nba by being short
Player comp: Isaiah Thomas
If they treat him and pay him like a guard that leads the bench then there is a spot for him on any team. You CANNOT make have an undersized guard as frnachise player. Use him in this manner and put him in to up the tempo with a tall rangy lineup and it works
I am five ft eight with a six four wing span. I should have played Bball. We had Mugsy Bougues
Such a huge pick up! So many good undrafted players this year. Nowell could be the new FVV
Most likely he doesn't crack the NBA bench.
Would rather develop Jeff Dowtin tbh
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Yessir
Get healthy Bro!
At the very least this guy can teach D Banton how to be professional guard. Work on shooting, passing, ball control and how to run a team. If 905 runs same offense as Big Raps then he could help young players learn what Darko wants.
I think he can be 3rd to 4th pg on a team change of pace.
He's kinda a Freddie v2. So what if he's short (comparatively) look at Muggsie (also a former Raptor) this guy can dribble the ball at the level of the big guys knees. Reach down for the ball big guy. I want to see him at the Rico runs and summer league.
Nowell actually measure at 5'6" 3/4 at the g league combine. Nowell is a high IQ and tough minded player. Iets see what Nowell can in summer league. I expect Nowell to be with the 905 team.
I think it’s a good move
Nowell Just Needs A Chance To Show What He Is Capable. I Wish Him The Best! 🦖🦖🦖
He can score that’s for sure but how is he on defense since he’s 5’8 it feels like that’s his weakness ever team will be targeting him when they got the ball
@gurrarai I agree! I’m so happy the raptors signed him. Did you see him light up Michigan state with his record breaking 19 dimes in the sweet 16, to get them to the elite 8? Game breaker! So he’s 5’8! Muggsy Bogues was short too and carved out a nice nba career! Looking forward to him betting on himself and eventually ending up on the raptors