‘A dream come true’: Wichita native Gradey Dick scores 1st NBA points in Raptors game

Wichita native Gradey Dick scored the first points of his NBA career for the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.

After playing sparingly in the first two games of the season, the former Kansas star poured in 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including four 3-pointers, in 28 minutes off the bench for the Raptors in a 114-107 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dick’s first basket came with 2:34 remaining in the first quarter when he took a swing pass on the wing and didn’t hesitate to rise up and send a swish through the net for a 3-pointer, the shot he’s become known for since his high school playing days at Collegiate and Sunrise Christian Academy.

“It’s another 3 in my career, but to say that was my first points in an NBA game was something special and a dream come true that I’ve had since I was a little kid,” Dick told Toronto media after the game. “I can’t wait to go talk to my brothers and my sister and my parents about it.”

Adding to the memorable experience, the 19-year-old said he received a welcome-to-the-NBA moment from a fellow Jayhawk and reigning MVP Joel Embiid of the 76ers.

“The first time I came off of him, he gives me a little ‘Rock Chalk’ and then bumps me and hits me off my course and knocked some things loose,” Dick said with a laugh. “But it was good. It was really cool.”

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard was the No. 13 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Raptors. He played a combined eight minutes in Toronto’s first two games of the season, missing a total of three shots.

Saturday was a coming-out party for the former KU sharpshooter, as he made the first three shots he attempted in the first quarter of Saturday’s game.

After canning the wing 3, Dick took a hand-off and dribbled into a jumper less than a minute later. At the end of the quarter, he spotted up from the left corner and was ready to fire away on a pass from Scottie Barnes, as his moonshot barely escaped the extended reach of Embiid.

Dick’s fourth and final 3-pointer of the night trimmed Philadelphia’s lead to 100-95 with 6:19 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“I see a lot of potential to develop his game,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I think he’s moving without the ball really well. He’s a good cutter. I think he’ll be able to create off the dribble. His game is progressing. Obviously he’s still very young, a rookie, but I can see him being able to be in a big role for us. I think he’s a very good decision-maker when he has the ball in his hands, finding open people. I see a lot of upside with Gradey.”

Dick’s role is sure to fluctuate in his rookie season with the organization, but he said his time at KU under coach Bill Self has prepared him to accept whatever role is asked of him.

“I’m going to come back (next game) the same way that I always do and play the game I’ve been playing since I was a little kid,” Dick said. “Come with the approach of not trying to do too much, knowing my role and really the only things that change are the things coach wants of me. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win, whether that’s to take shots or whether that’s getting on the floor to get a loose ball. Whatever is going to help the team win, that’s what I’m going to try to do.”

Dick will return to action with the Raptors on Monday in a home game against Portland. The closest he will be to his hometown of Wichita is when the Raptors visit the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 6 p.m. game on Sunday, Feb. 4.

Wichita also had another NBA connection on Saturday, as former Wichita State star point guard Craig Porter Jr. made his NBA debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter of a 125-113 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Porter, who is signed to a two-way contract, logged four minutes and registered an assist during his time on the floor.