Ochai Agbaji is strong defensively for Raptors

TORONTO – Ochai Agbaji’s relatively small stature won’t stop him from defending some of the biggest and best forwards in the NBA.

All-star forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were Agbaji’s top defensive assignments in the Toronto Raptors’ 119-118 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. Those are tough numbers for the 6-foot-4 Agbaji, who gives up an inch to Brown and three to Tatum, but the Raptors forward is up for the challenge.

“I embrace that every night,” Agbaji said. “That’s the fun of this, showing up and having those matchups, having the defending champions and knowing that you have to take it to another level.

“It’s just always fun, no matter what match it is, whether it’s them or Kevin Durant or whoever it is, it’s just always fun to match up with them.”

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Agbaji averaged 6.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 27 games for the Raptors last season after Toronto acquired him in a trade with the Utah Jazz on Feb. 8. He was listed as shooting guard for all those games – his natural attribute. position – but for the relatively small Raptors he will spend most of this season playing against big players.

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“There has to be a helper mentality in the defense,” Agbaji said. “Everyone obviously has that helping mentality, ready to cover when their man is in a post-up situation or gets knocked off the ball.

“That’s just the way it is and it has to be a collective effort every night.”

Brown averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his third all-star campaign last season. Tatum received MVP votes and was named an All-Star for the fifth straight year, averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season.

Despite battling two scoring powerhouses, Agbaji had a plus-29 defensive rating on Tuesday and limited it to below average, with Brown getting 19 and Tatum 24.

Agbaji scored 16 points, five rebounds and three assists on Tuesday. Those points came on 7 of 11 shooting, including 1 for 4 on three-point attempts.

“For me, the priority is what he does defensively, and he has impacted the game, and in a big, big way,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said. “Tonight he was also able to score in transition and create those chances.

“He can do so many other things that can affect our game (besides shooting).”

The Raptors face the Nets on Friday in Brooklyn for their final preseason game.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.

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