Toronto Raptors’ GM had a feeling KU’s Gradey Dick might wear wild outfit at NBA Draft

Bobby Webster, the Toronto Raptors’ 38-year-old general manager, learned early of lottery-pick hopeful Gradey Dick’s plan to go for an unconventional look at the 2023 NBA Draft.

“I don’t want to steal (Dick’s story). He showed it to us at dinner, when we were out. He kind of gave us two options. I don’t remember which one we chose. We had a sneak peek that he was going to do something pretty outlandish,” Webster told media members who cover the Raptors.

The GM was speaking Thursday night after the Raptors selected Dick with the 13th pick of the first round.

Dick, a 6-foot-8, 19-year-old guard from Kansas, at the draft was dressed in a ruby red electric “Dorothy suit” and matching turtleneck shirt as a tribute to the Wizard of Oz movie. He also wore a chain flaunting his new “GD” logo as well as black slacks and black and red Christian Louboutin shoes in Barclays Center.

“You should ask him what the other suit was,” Webster added smiling in suggesting a topic for Monday’s media availability with Dick in Toronto.

Dick was Toronto’s only selection in the two-round, 58-pick NBA Draft. However the Raptors did sign former Kansas State guard Markquis Nowell to a two-way contract moments after the draft was over.

“It was clear when we met him (Dick), we went through a lot of that. He said it’s kind of his way to show his identity,” Webster said of colorful outfits. The week before draft day, the Raptors had Dick travel to Canada for a workout and interview over dinner.

“I’m sure he’ll talk to you all (media) about it. It’s a space he’s comfortable in. I think he’s able to connect with people and show if he is a little bit quirky. That’s kind of how he connects with people,” Webster noted.

The Raptors have no problem with their players showing personality.

‘You always want chemistry and camaraderie,” Webster said. “We’ve been talking about it all offseason, kind of energy and excitement. The basketball has to be there first.”

“Often with the workouts, you get to sit and meet with them (prospective players),” added Webster, who was GM with Toronto in 2019 when the Raptors won the NBA title. “We went to dinner with him. You get more an interaction. Hopefully there’s nothing that’s happening on the court that’s a surprise. That’s more of it too. The staff gets to meet him. I’m sure everybody started to see he’s a pretty big character and that comes through when you meet him.”

Dick, in his one year at KU, averaged 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He hit 44.2% of his shots and was 83 of 206 on three-pointers for 40.3%. The Raptors are in need of outside shooting Dick can provide.

“I think we had Gradey in kind of his own group. I’m sure we’ll see how it all plays out over the next couple years,” Webster said, noting the Raptors liked “probably the size, shooting, IQ stood out a bit.

“He’s not just a shooter. He knows how to play off the ball. He knows how to make backdoor cuts. He can pass well. He rebounds well. I think he’s more of a well-rounded player even though he’s probably going to get pegged early as just a shooter.

“I think it’s a combination (of skills) that makes him unique. He’s a shooter who can handle the ball, play defense, rebound. That was more the appeal. He can do all the other things too. We didn’t make enough shots this year (as a team). That’s part of it, yes. He’s a good basketball player. We always want to put a premium on those type players who can do a little bit of everything,” Webster noted.

The Raptors, who went .500 in 2022-23, won’t put immense pressure on Dick early.

“You hope he can come in off the bench, make some shots and not make too many mistakes and the coaches trust him,” Webster said. “(We’ll) keep expectations in line. We do have expectations he probably can come in (and contribute as rookie).”

Webster said the Raptors have been aware of Dick for some time now. He was the No. 14-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2022 by ESPN.com prior to starting at KU.

“Watching him play … he’s a bit of a known commodity. He was high school national player of the year (by Gatorade in 2021). He’s kind of been around,” Webster said. “Just the more you watch him … you watch him off the ball. He played on a real good Kansas team, played with some upperclassmen who were kind of the leaders of that team. So to watch him play off that gives us a sense he can come in here and play off the current group.”

KU coach Bill Self said he could envision Dick making the Raptors’ rotation immediately.

“He’s long, legit 6-8, great length,” Self said. “He can slide. I do think he’s a very adequate defender who plays to his athleticism and length. He did a much better job (defensively) as the season went on.”

Also … “he makes shots,” KU’s coach added. “He is a good mover without the ball, a very sneaky rebounder, good at transition, good finisher. He can finish above the rim. Offensively he can always get better. He will and can improve his skillset, ballhandling, making plays off his own. (But) offensively he is pretty darn good.”

And his personality makes him an asset in the locker room.

“He is a terrific kid. He’s goofy, too,” KU assistant coach Norm Roberts said. “He doesn’t worry about anything, just the next shot going in.”

“He’s good. He’s confident,” Self stated.

“He has no conscience when it comes to shooting the ball,” noted Jalen Wilson, a forward who was taken No. 51 in the draft by Brooklyn.

“Every time he shoots we think it’s going in. It’s what makes a great shooter, being confident every time you shoot you see it going in. I mean he’d be similar to Christian (Braun, former KU guard who played a key role off the bench for the NBA champion Denver Nuggets last season). You saw how effective CB was in transition. You see how effective Gradey can be. Fast release, makes plays for others, hard worker, will do anything to win. I think it’ll be great,” Wilson added of Dick’s upcoming pro career.