The Toronto Raptors gave their fans one final bit of history at Scotiabank Arena to close out their final home game of the year.
While much of their fanbase is more focused on their draft lottery odds than the actual on-court product, one Raptors rookie ended up doing something rarely seen in team history on Wednesday night.
Raptors rookie forward Jonathan Mogbo achieved his first career triple-double on Wednesday night in the 126-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, picking up 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
“It was a lot of stuff going on, but it was great to see everybody happy,” he said.
Not only was Mogbo’s triple-double the first by any rookie in the NBA this season, but it was also the first in Raptors history by a first-year player since Damon Stoudamire pulled it off in the franchise’s 11th-ever game back on November 21, 1995.
RJ Barrett leads the Raptors with two triple-doubles this year, while Scottie Barnes has one. Kyle Lowry is the franchise all-time leader with 16, while Barnes is in second place with six in his career.
Mogbo, who played for four different college programs before being selected 31st overall last year by the Raptors, said it was the first triple-double of his career at any level of basketball.
“To finally get it in the NBA, I wouldn’t expect it. Just blessed and thankful for my teammates…. It’s been a great journey. Just every day, trying not to take anything for granted. It’s a blessing to be here at the end of the day. So just take it day by day,” Mogbo said.
And his big night definitely made waves across the organization.
“People that are inside the organization know how much work he put in this year and are really proud of the kid,” Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said.
Though Mogbo likely slots in deeper into the Raptors’ rotation in the years moving forward, he’s gotten the opportunity to start 16 games this season as they battle through injuries and test out different lineups.
The Raptors have just two games remaining in their season, as they head to Dallas and San Antonio for a quick road trip to close things out.
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