The young guard impressed during NBA Summer League play, averaging 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game over two appearances.
The Toronto Raptors might have a solid bench piece on their hands in guard Chucky Hepburn who joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2025 out of Louisville where he spent his final collegiate season.
As a Cardinal, he had his best season yet, averaging 16.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game through 34 games of playing time. Prior to transferring in 2024, he spent three seasons at Wisconsin where he averaged 12.2 points his sophomore season before having a slight regression to 9.2 points per game the following year.
Even then, these statistics alone don't paint the whole picture on Hepburn's history of efficient ball handling and lockdown defense.
Despite Louisville coming up short to Creighton 89-75 in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Hepburn still mustered 22 points while logging six assists, two rebounds and one steal.
Hepburn was also electric during the Cardinals' March 1 matchup against Pittsburgh, scoring a season-best 37 points and shooting 100% from beyond the arc. Moreover, the 23-year-old went a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc while shooting 81.8% from the field and recording a 76.5% conversion rate at the free throw line.
Going into the upcoming 2026-27 season, the 23-year-old accepted a two-way qualifying offer to return to Toronto.
So far, that decision appears to be paying off for the Raptors after Hepburn averaged 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game through two NBA Summer League appearances this year.
During the team's opener on July 10 against the Boston Celtics, Hepburn scored 11 points while tallying five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Even when he only recorded two points the next day versus the Houston Rockets, Hepburn helped in other facets with eight assists, five rebounds and two steals.
Even though Hepburn may be undersized for his position at six feet tall, he has been proving himself to be a low-leverage contributor for a team in the right situation.
As a result, Toronto could be the franchise to give him a long-term role with their excellent offensive depth in Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles who can mask his shortcomings while giving him opportunities to get reps whenever it comes time for one of them to take a rest.
The Raptors will return to regular-season action on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. EDT against the Chicago Bulls in front of the Scotiabank Arena faithful.
