Toronto Raptors Ink NCAA Champion Alijah Martin to Deal, Bolstering Backcourt with Second-Round Steal…read more…

Toronto Raptors Ink NCAA Champion Alijah Martin to Deal, Bolstering Backcourt with Second-Round Steal…read more…

 

Toronto, ON — The Toronto Raptors have officially signed Alijah Martin, their second-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, in a move that brings a proven winner and NCAA champion into the fold as part of their ongoing youth movement. Martin, a dynamic guard who played a pivotal role in the Florida Gators’ national title run, is expected to bring tenacity, shot-making, and defensive grit to a Raptors squad undergoing a significant roster retool.

 

A National Champion Arrives in the North

 

Martin, the 42nd overall pick in this year’s draft, turned heads throughout his senior season and especially during the NCAA tournament, where he emerged as a key leader for a Gators team that stunned several higher seeds en route to their championship. His high motor, clutch scoring, and elite perimeter defense made him a fan favorite in Gainesville and an intriguing prospect for NBA scouts looking for undervalued talent in the later rounds.

 

Toronto’s front office, led by general manager Bobby Webster and new head coach Jordi Fernandez, has made it clear that they’re building a team rooted in competitiveness and versatility. Signing Martin aligns perfectly with that vision.

 

“Alijah embodies the kind of player we want in Toronto—fearless, fundamentally sound, and team-first,” Webster said in a press release. “He’s already shown he can rise to the occasion on the biggest stage, and we believe his best basketball is still ahead of him.”

 

Contract Details and Summer League Expectations

 

Though the Raptors did not disclose the exact terms of Martin’s deal, league sources suggest it’s a standard second-round rookie contract, likely a partially guaranteed two-year deal with team options—a common structure for non-lottery picks.

 

Martin will debut with the Raptors during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he’s expected to log heavy minutes alongside fellow young guards like Gradey Dick and Markquis Nowell. Raptors fans and executives alike will be watching closely to see how the 6’2″ combo guard handles the pace, spacing, and physicality of the pro level.

 

Early training camp reports from Toronto staffers praised Martin’s defensive instincts and vocal leadership, noting that he arrived to workouts already in peak shape and eager to prove himself.

 

“Alijah came in ready to compete,” said Raptors Summer League head coach Nathaniel Mitchell. “You can tell he’s a winner. He’s not intimidated by the next level. He’s attacking drills, asking the right questions, and leading by example.”

 

From Underrated to Unmissable

 

Martin’s path to the NBA hasn’t been traditional. A lightly recruited high school player from Mississippi, he committed to Florida Atlantic University before transferring to the University of Florida ahead of his senior year. The move paid off in spades: Martin averaged 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game during the 2024–25 season while leading the Gators to a national title.

 

In the NCAA Final, Martin scored 21 points and held the opposing team’s leading scorer to just 4-of-15 shooting. His performance earned him Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament and solidified his status as one of the most impactful two-way players in college basketball.

 

Despite those accolades, Martin fell into the second round of the draft, a fact that many attributed to concerns about his size and lack of elite athleticism. But for the Raptors, that slide was a gift.

 

“We weren’t expecting him to be there when we picked,” said Raptors assistant GM Dan Tolzman. “But when he was, it was a no-brainer. He’s a guy who knows how to win, and that’s hard to teach.”

 

Fit with the Raptors’ Rebuild

 

With Toronto firmly in rebuild mode following the departures of OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, and Fred VanVleet over the past two seasons, Martin joins a youthful core that includes Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Gradey Dick. The team is betting on internal development, and Martin is seen as a high-upside addition who can contribute early and potentially become a rotation regular.

 

While not projected to start right away, Martin has a clear path to minutes if he continues to impress. The Raptors’ backcourt remains unsettled, with Dennis Schröder gone and veteran help sparse. Martin’s ability to defend multiple positions, hit open shots, and lead second units could give Fernandez a reliable piece off the bench—possibly even more.

 

“He reminds me a little of a younger Bruce Brown,” one Eastern Conference scout noted. “Not the tallest guard, but strong, smart, and fearless. Every team needs a guy like that.”

 

What’s Next?

 

Martin will get his first taste of NBA action at the Summer League, where Toronto opens against the Utah Jazz this weekend. He’s expected to start and take on primary ball-handling responsibilities. While the Summer League is often chaotic and difficult to evaluate, strong performances can accelerate a rookie’s integration into the main roster.

 

More importantly, Martin is bringing a winning mindset to a locker room in need of new leadership. Though only 22, he’s already shown he can guide a team through high-pressure situations—an intangible quality that Toronto’s coaching staff deeply values.

 

As the Raptors continue reshaping their identity in the post-championship era, Alijah Martin represents both a nod to the franchise’s gritty past and a symbol of its promising future.

 

 

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From NCAA champ to North of the border 🌪️ — Alijah Martin signs with the Raptors, bringing grit, defense, and winning DNA to Toronto’s backcourt.