Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Raptors add size up front by signing seven-foot centre Mo Bamba

Raptors add size up front by signing seven-foot centre Mo Bamba | iNFOnews.ca
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, has a shot blocked by Utah Jazz center Mo Bamba (11) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have added some much-needed size with the signing of seven-foot centre Mo Bamba.

The NBA team announced the signing of the 2018 lottery draft pick on Monday, a day after reports of a deal emerged. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bamba’s addition gives the Raptors some size up front as starting centre Jakob Poeltl recovers from a back injury. The Raptors said Monday that Poeltl will be out at least another week as he undergoes a strengthening and rehabilitation program.

Rim protection has been an issue without the seven-foot Austrian in the lineup. Star power forward Scottie Barnes started at centre and pulled down 25 rebounds in the Raptors’ 141-127 overtime win over Golden State on Sunday, but at six-foot-eight he is undersized at the position.

Six-foot-nine Georgian forward Sandro Mamukelashvili has also started at centre in Poeltl’s absence.

The 27-year-old Bamba, born in New York to Ivorian parents, was selected sixth overall by Orlando at the 2018 NBA draft but has failed to make an impact over seven seasons with the Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans.

Bamba has averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 16.8 minutes in 364 NBA games (101 starts).

He played 14 games for the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, this season and was solid in averaging 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.9 blocks and 28.7 minutes.

Bamba was set to face his former team when the Raptors hosted Orlando on Monday night.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2025.

Raptors add size up front by signing seven-foot centre Mo Bamba | iNFOnews.ca
New Orleans Pelicans center Mo Bamba (4) drives the ball past Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

Related Articles