Former Kansas basketball star Gradey Dick officially signed his first professional contract with the Toronto Raptors.
Gradey Dick became the first of two Kansas Jayhawks to ink their rookie deals after being drafted into the NBA. He’ll make $4,536,720 as a rookie with the Raptors and a combined $21,422,550 if Toronto picks up his third and fourth-year options.
The 13th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Dick was a freshman phenom at Kansas. He was a consensus 5-star recruit coming out of high school and did not disappoint in college, averaging 14.1 points and 5.1 rebounds on 40.3 percent three-point shooting in 2022-23. He was also named to the All-Big 12 Second Team and the All-Big 12 Freshman Team.
After being considered a late first-rounder at the beginning of the year, Dick skyrocketed to the lottery in the draft this past June. He forgoed his three years of eligibility remaining at KU to pursue his lifelong dream of being an NBA player. It has paid off in a big way for the Sunflower State native, as he recently received a shoutout from Toronto-based artist Drake on his Instagram story. He encountered a plethora of media coverage for his extravagant draft day suit and even had a Chipotle bowl named after him.
READ: Evaluating Dick and Wilson’s NBA Draft team fits
Dick will join a guard room consisting of Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby in Toronto. Whether it be in the starting lineup or as a sixth man off the bench, he figures to carve out a big-time role with the Raptors.
Although he likely generates a lucrative amount of money through endorsements, Gradey can officially say he’s guaranteed an NBA contract. His former teammate Jalen Wilson, who was taken 51st overall by the Brooklyn Nets, has yet to sign his rookie deal.
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