The Toronto Raptors made their backcourt a priority in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft, selecting Baylor guard Ja'Kobe Walter with the No. 19 overall pick.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Ja'Kobe Walter
Position: SG
Size: 6'5", 195 lbs
Pro Comparison: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Scouting Report: Walter immediately popped this year as a three-and-D prospect with his shotmaking and defensive tools. Teams will see a plug-and-play off-ball scorer with his shooting and physical line-driving. He just hasn't shown any signs of self-creation or playmaking due to limited ball-handling.
R.J. Barrett, SG: $25.8M (2027)
Jakob Poeltl, C: $19.5M (2027)
Kelly Olynyk, PF: $12.8M (2026)
Chris Boucher, PF: $10.8M (2025)
Scottie Barnes, PF: $10.1M (2025)
Gradey Dick, SG: $4.8M (2027)
Jalen McDaniels, SF: $4.7M (2025)
Ochai Agbaji, SF: $4.3M (2026)
Javon Freeman-Liberty, G: $1.9M (2025)
D.J. Carton, PG: Two-way (2025)
Mouhamadou Gueye, F: Two-way (2025)
Ja'Kobe Walter, SG: Rookie scale contract
Bruce Brown Jr., SG (club option)
Gary Trent, Jr., SG: UFA
Garrett Temple, SG: UFA
Jordan Nwora, SF: UFA
Immanuel Quickley, PG: RFA
Malik Williams, C: RFA
Jontay Porter, PF: RFA
Walter was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and a third-team All-Big 12 honoree in 2023-24. In 35 games with the Bears, he averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He also shot 34.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Baylor didn't have an NCAA tournament run to remember, falling to sixth-seeded Clemson in the second round. Walter made the most of his brief stay in the Big Dance, combining to put up 39 points and 10 boards over two games.
The 6'5" guard's three-point percentage doesn't do full justice to the threat he can pose from deep. He can be an effective shooter whether he's working off the ball or pulling up off the dribble.
Walter is unlikely to develop into a major star, but he possesses a two-way game that can help him carve out a long career at the next level.
