Say what you will about former Kansas guard Gradey Dick, but there's no questioning his honesty. Even on one of the biggest nights of his life, with NBA fans from all over watching, he couldn't contain his excitement.
After Dick was selected No. 13 overall by the Raptors, the 19-year-old knew exactly what that meant—a life potentially involving Drake, and he couldn't contain his excitement about it.
As Alex Kennedy of Basketball News reported, Dick was ready to get to Toronto ... to see Drake and get to work on his goal of becoming boys with the popular rapper/signer/songwriter.
Raptors rookie Gradey Dick can't wait to meet Drake.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 23, 2023
"Gotta get out there, see Drake. I haven't seen him a bunch, but I'm looking forward to that. [Becoming boys with Drake], that's the goal. I need him to wear my jersey. That's how I know [I've made it]. That's my priority."
The newest addition to the Raptors roster isn't wrong about the likelihood of meeting Drake, either.
The musician was named the Raptors' global ambassador in 2013 and also partnered with the franchise in 2019 on a new naming rights deal featuring his record label, OVO. The Raptors' training centre was then rebranded as the OVO Athletic Centre.
To cap off draft night for the new Raptors guard, one of the best nights of his professional career may have become one of the best nights of his personal life as well. Dick got the follow back from Drake on Instagram, which he showed in a video posted by the team.
Secured the @Drake follow ✅🦉 pic.twitter.com/ypYP5PShdx
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 23, 2023
Dick played just one season with the Jayhawks, averaging 14.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and an impressive 40.3 percent from 3-point range.
He was exceptional from beyond the arc, setting the school's freshman record for single-season 3-pointers with 83. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Dick knocked down 54 percent of his attempts off the dribble, the highest mark in NCAA Division I.