The Toronto Raptors have bolstered their roster by signing Mo Bamba, a seven-foot center. The NBA team made the announcement on Monday following reports of the deal. Specific terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Bringing Bamba on board addresses the Raptors’ need for size, especially with starting center Jakob Poeltl sidelined due to a back injury. The team has struggled with rim protection in Poeltl’s absence. In a recent game against Golden State, power forward Scottie Barnes, standing at six-foot-eight, filled in at center and impressively grabbed 25 rebounds. However, his height makes him undersized for the position.
In Poeltl’s absence, the six-foot-nine Georgian forward Sandro Mamukelashvili has also taken on the role of starting center. Bamba, a 27-year-old New York native with Ivorian heritage, was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by Orlando. Despite stints with various teams, including the Lakers, 76ers, Clippers, and Pelicans, Bamba has not made a significant impact in his seven-year NBA career.
Across 364 NBA games, with 101 starts, Bamba has averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 16.8 minutes per game. He showcased his skills in the G League this season, playing for the Salt Lake City Stars, the Utah Jazz’s affiliate, where he averaged 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.9 blocks in 28.7 minutes over 14 games.
Bamba was slated to face his former team, the Orlando Magic, as the Raptors hosted them on Monday night.