Raptors rookie Anunoby earns kudos from LeBron

CLEVELAND — LeBron James spent four games up-close and personal with OG Anunoby and came away impressed with the Toronto Raptors rookie.

“I think he has a bright future. His future is now, actually,” the Cavaliers star said after dispatching Toronto in a 128-93 blowout to cap a four-game sweep in a National Basketball Association Eastern Conference semifinal.

“You look at the rookie class from this year, it’s probably the best since 2003,” he added, breaking himself and the assembled reporters up.

James was the first player taken in the ’03 draft. The top five that year also included Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

Anunoby’s draft credentials were more modest. The Indiana University product tore his anterior cruciate ligament in early 2017, dropping to 23rd in the draft perhaps as a result. But he has shown he belongs. And the rookie from England was a bright spot in the Raptors’ disappointing loss to the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinal.

The 20-year-old was given the assignment of guarding James, with Pascal Siakam his understudy. James got plenty of points but the six-foot-eight Anunoby didn’t make it easy. He stuck to James like glue. He also sank a key three-pointer with seconds left in Game 3, to tie the game at 103-103. Known as a tenacious defender, he has shown signs of burgeoning offence.

“I think he’s just getting more confident on what his abilities are,” Raptors all-star guard Kyle Lowry said prior to Game 4. “He’s super athletic, super strong.”