Gradey Dick scores 18 points in first half of NBA Summer League game

Gradey Dick scored a game-high 18 points before halftime during the Toronto Raptor’s Summer League game against the Detroit Pistons.

The former Kansas star made six of his 12 baskets count, nailing two deep balls and grabbing four rebounds in 16 minutes on the floor.

Check out some of his highlights from the first half below:

Gradey Dick is cooking 👨‍🍳

The Kansas kid is up to 18 PTS in the first half!#NBA2KSummerLeague pic.twitter.com/o0Pelu8kQt

— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2023

Toronto selected him with the No. 13 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and it seems to be paying off. He’s already building off his stellar freshman season with the Jayhawks, which saw him average 14.1 points and 5.1 rebounds.

Overall, his production under Bill Self, which earned him selections on the All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Newcomer Team, and Big 12 All-Freshman Team, helped the Jayhawks win 28 games in ’22-’23 and earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Gradey Dick says he ‘hit the jackpot’ being drafted to Toronto Raptors

Gradey Dick had a fitting way to summarize being taken in the lottery by the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night. The Raptors selected the former Kansas star 13th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, leading him to tell reporters he “hit the jackpot” with his new team. 

Appearing at his introductory press conference, Dick was asked what stuck out most to him in the short time he has spent in Toronto so far. Above all else, it has been the interactions he’s had with fans.

“Just how beautiful the city is and the people around here,” he said. “My parents and I have noticed just walking around the street how genuine people are around here. I’ve talked about a lot going into this team stuff and even before the draft I wanted to be in an organization where I can find that good fit in it but also be in a winning culture with a fan base that’s not like anybody else, and I think I hit the jackpot coming here. 

“I see that with my parents walking down the street. It’s just families coming up. The first thing they say is just, ‘Welcome to Toronto. We’re glad to have you.’ I think that’s what we take to heart the most rather than a quick hi and bye.”

Dick joins a Toronto squad that is coming off of a 41-41 record this past season. The Raptors finished ninth in the Eastern Conference and lost a play-in game to the Chicago Bulls. They parted ways with coach Nick Nurse at the end of the year, bringing on Darko Rajaković as his replacement.