The Raptors signed Noel, who fell out of the draft, on draft night this past June.
He spent a total of five years in college playing for the Kansas State University Wildcats and the Little Rockets Los Angeles. Not long ago, Noel wrote in his social media:
“One day I will have everything I prayed for, I truly believe that.” In a subsequent story, Nowell shared, “I’m going to be the best Raptors player ever and make history, I’m sure of it.”
The full story is posted below:
Kyle Lowry, step aside, the Raptors have a new point guard to hit the team record books.
Though he has yet to play in an NBA game outside of Summer League, undrafted rookie Noel is looking to stand out among the ranks of Raptors greats.
The Raptors signed Noel, who went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, on draft night this past June after spending five years of his college career with the Kansas State University Wildcats and Little Rock Special Olympics Los Angeles.
“One day I’m going to have everything I prayed for. I really believe that.” Noel wrote in an Instagram story Monday night.
In a subsequent story, Noel shared, “I’m going to make history by being the best Raptors player ever.” It’s certainly a bold statement, but it’s also something that has motivated the 23-year-old throughout his basketball career.
If there’s a market for undrafted point guards to flourish, it’s probably the Raptors. Fred VanVleet developed into an All-Star and NBA Champion during his time with the Raptors, while Jose Calderon flourished during his time with the Raptors from 2005 to 2013, and he went undrafted in the 2003 draft.
Noel drew international attention for his stellar play during this past year’s NCAA March Madness tournament. At the time, his Kansas State Wildcats defeated Michigan State in the Sweet Sixteen, and he set a single-game record for assists in a game with 19.
Last season, Noel averaged 17.6 points and 8.6 assists on 35.5 percent three-point shooting in 36 games with Kansas State.
While he is expected to spend most of the season with the Raptors’ G League Division 905 team, if he does become the greatest player in team history, remember this now.