ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

“Believe me, you guys got a good one.�

There’s no reason not to believe English, who fashioned a Hall of Fame career in 15 NBA seasons as one of the most gifted scorers in the game. He scored 25,613 points, 23rd on the all-time list, and was an eight-time all-star. Now 71 years old, English made the all-NBA team three times, won a regular-season scoring title and was a Raptors assistant from 2003-2011.

He may be biased — English was raised in Columbia, S.C., as was Murray-Boyles; he went to South Carolina, as did Murray-Boyles, and he serves on the university’s board of trustees — but English also knows a thing or two about the game. His opinion of Murray-Boyles should matter.

“I heard the commentators (Wednesday) night talk about him being like Draymond Green and he’s that,� English said of the six-foot-seven, 240-pound Murray-Boyles.

“He’s probably a young Draymond but a better passer. And he’s a beast inside, he’s a physical type of player, lefty, good passer.�

There’s no dispute Murray-Boyles is far from a finished product, as few ninth picks are. But the Raptors, as general manager Bobby Webster said Wednesday, are in the “talent acquisition� phase and Murray-Boyles has undeniable talent.

Whether he becomes a shooter and whether his defensive chops translate to the NBA are to be seen. Any rush to judgment now is folly.

So, too, would be making any rash decisions on ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½â€™s second-round pick, 23-year-old guard Alijah Martin, who the Raptors took with the 39th selection.

Martin, a six-foot-one guard, continues a Raptors tradition of taking a shot on small, tough, long-term collegians. Martin played five NCAA seasons split between Florida Atlantic and Florida, earning a reputation as a tough on-the-ball defender with offensive skills that need severe development.

“They were probably interested in me looking back at my college career, impacting winning on both sides of the ball, elite role guy and just ready to win … the ultimate competitor,� Martin said from New York in a Zoom call with reporters.

“Just my ability to play on the ball, off the ball and sacrifice my body defensively. As a defender, you have to lay your body on the line and that’s where you win games at, on the defensive end.�

That’s the level of toughness that drew the Raptors to Martin and the characteristics they saw in the just-completed playoffs.

“I think we see guys that, when the game gets tough and winning time happens … they won’t back away from that fight, they’ll run to it and they’ll do all the little things,� Raptors vice-president of player personnel Dan Tolzman said Thursday. “Hopefully the skill development comes with just working our development program from there.�

The key for Martin will be to expand his offensive skills to match his defensive abilities and athleticism. If the former all-state football quarterback can do that, maybe there’s a spot for him long term.

“I don’t think he’s a finished product. Even though he’s a senior, he’s got a lot of room for growth still,â€� Tolzman said. “He’s one of those guys, get him in our program and see what he can do. He’s going to fight for everything he can get.â€�

One thing Martin is going to have to do is change his uniform number. He was decked out in a large No. 15 pendant on a chain. The number’s not going to last once he arrives in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ and sees Vince Carter’s name and number hanging from the Scotiabank Arena rafters.

“Fifteen has a lot of meaning to me but I’m not trying to take away from Vince’s legacy,â€� Martin said. “Obviously, he’s a legend and I want him to keep his number retired.â€�

The Raptors once again bypassed any possible centres to fill a roster need, staying with the organizational ethos of “best available draft pick.”

“Big picture, we’re still in talent acquisition mode,â€� Webster said Wednesday at the outset of the draft process. “I think we’re not so worried about position as we try to find these players.â€�

What they are looking is for players to grow into great ones. English, who has more first-hand knowledge of the 19-year-old Murray-Boyles than many, sees promise.

“He’s good kid, he’s a leader-type of kid in the sense that he’s like Draymond on the court, directing guys and telling them let’s do this, do that,� English said.

“He wasn’t forceful (in the overbearing manner at South Carolina) but he was a leader … he was the one that took care of that. Very outspoken when it comes to what’s going on on the court and very passionate about the game.�