Toronto Raptors: Last 5 Eighth Overall Picks Taken in the NBA Draft

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After failing to win the lottery back in May, the Raptors are stuck with the eighth overall selection. While this might not seem like a bad pick, history has shown that it’s tough to draft an All-Star this late.

While these picks are usually filled with potential, it is rare that a player actually reaches it.

Without further ado, here are the last five players taken at eighth overall and how they have developed to this point in their careers. 

2011: Brandon Knight

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Knight had an impressive rookie campaign this year, and showed he should be the Pistons' point guard of the future. In 60 games as a starter, Knight averaged 13.1 points per game, 3.9 assists per game and 3.4 rebounds per game.

Expect Knight to improve on those numbers next season, as he and Greg Monroe will be the core of the Pistons for years to come.  

2010: Al-Farouq Aminu

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Al-Farouq Aminu may never end up being the next Josh Smith like some believed he could be, but he still has a chance to be a decent pro. As a starter for New Orleans last season, he put up 8 points per game and 7 rebounds per game.

With New Orleans in rebuilding mode, Aminu will be given ample opportunity to prove he was worth the mid-lottery selection. 

2009: Jordan Hill

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Already on his third team in three years, Hill hasn’t quite lived up to the hype after the New York Knicks selected him with their first round pick. However, he should end up being a solid bench player for years to come.

Hill is a good rebounder who plays with a lot of energy, and has a chance of playing a key role for Los Angeles next season. 

2008: Joe Alexander

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Easily the worst selection of the five listed in this article, Alexander isn’t even in the league anymore. In his only full season in the league, Alexander averaged 4.7 points per game and 1.9 rebounds per game.

Drafted because of his ridiculous athleticism, Alexander could never adjust to the NBA game, and now plays overseas in Russia. 

2007: Brandan Wright

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Wright missed out on the opportunity to win a championship at North Carolina and hasn’t made up for it by having a good pro career. Wright has turned into a journeyman big man, playing for three different teams after being drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats.

He showed promise in his second year when he averaged 8.3 points per game and 4 boards per game, but has not put up as good of numbers since.