Lucas Nogueira

The giant Brazilian with the giant hair barely made an impression on the court during his rookie season, averaging just four minutes, 1.0 point, 1.8 rebounds, and zero blocks in six games off the end of the Raptors' bench, but the team is still very high on his future. Just shy of seven feet tall, Nogueira has the athleticism to someday be an effective rim protector and defensive presence in the paint, a potential highlighted by his offseason performance when he recorded the second-most rebounds in the Las Vegas Summer League despite limited playing time. The 23-year-old will likely spend the majority of this season suiting up alongside countryman Bruno Caboclo for the Raptors' new D-League affiliate in Mississauga, a Toronto suburb, but if he continues to develop at his current rate, he could find himself back in the NBA in short order.

On his third NBA organization before he's even played a game in the NBA, Nogueira had his European contract bought out after the Hawks dealt him to the Raptors, and he'll make his North American debut this season. Possessing good size and athleticism, the 22-year-old Brazilian was named the best defender in Spain's top league last season, and he should be able to develop into an effective shot-blocker once he gets acclimated to the Association. That process should be a bit smoother thanks to the presence of fellow Brazilian rookie, and first-round pick, Bruno Caboclo on the Raptors' roster. Nogueira's positivity and passion for the game (not to mention his giant hairdo) have already drawn notice from his more veteran teammates. Jonas Valanciunas has the starting center spot locked up in Toronto, so Nogueira will need to earn his minutes off the bench, but he appears to be yet another young, hungry, high-upside asset on a Toronto roster looking to build on last season's surprising postseason appearance.