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LAS VEGAS — It was two months ago that Branden Carlson left Chicago with some disappointment.
The former Bingham High and University of Utah star had been hoping a strong showing at the G League Elite Camp would propel him to the NBA combine and up on NBA draft boards. Instead, he went 0-for-7 from 3-point range and struggled to stand out.
There were no such struggles in his first NBA summer league game.
Carlson, who signed a two-way deal with Toronto after going undrafted, had 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the Raptors' 94-69 win Saturday in Oklahoma City.
Now with the benefit of hindsight, he can see how that weekend in Chicago helped him along his NBA path.
"It really helped me get some of those nerves out for the NBA workouts," he said. "I kind of went into those a lot more confident than I thought I was going to be. … It was a good setup for going finishing out the process."
Toronto could see that. They were impressed with the 7-foot center's shooting, ball skills and mobility. In short, Carlson checked a lot of the boxes teams look for when it comes to a modern stretch big.
"I love their organization," Carlson said. "The people I've met with when I worked out with them, I think we hit it off great and felt like they were fantastic in coaching me up at the workout, as well. I thought it was a great place for me."
Based on early impressions, the Raptors certainly agree. They've even been pleasantly surprised with the former Utes player.
"He's a really good rim protector. We didn't realize that when we first got him," Raptors assistant coach Jama Mahlalela said. "That's been exciting for us to see that development. The sort of slender frame, you don't think he's going to be that presence at the rim, but his rim protection has been great."
Mahlalela credited Carlson for being "efficient" as a rim protector. Carlson said that meant not failing for shot fakes and staying in front of players in order to make a play on the ball.
"You don't need to go over and try to block it, just going at the right times," he said.
Some pleasant surprises are nothing new for Carlson. While at Utah, he looked around the basketball landscape and realized that if he wanted to reach the next level he needed to be able to stretch the floor. In his freshman season, he took just 13 3-point attempts. As a senior, he shot nearly five per game at a 38% clip.
"Getting better at that each year has been super helpful," he said.
That shot gave him a chance at the NBA. So far, he's taking advantage.
"I'm very proud being a Utah guy," he said. "I have a lot of pride in the state and my university, obviously being there for all my five years. To be able to make it here and continue to represent my state, means a lot."
