Achiuwa ready for his breakout
Rising Stars participant aims to become a ‘lethal’ two-way option
Precious Achiuwa is back at the NBA’s all-star weekend — sort of — and will certainly have some fun and enjoy himself while taking part in the Rising Stars event on Friday night.
It will be a relaxing break from the rigours of the regular season and validation of the young Raptor’s place in the pecking order of firstand second-year players in the league.
But it is also just another step in a bold career path the 22-year-old forward has set out for himself.
“I want to be lethal,” Achiuwa said in a conversation earlier this week. “Being lethal on both sides of the ball game, both offence and defence.
“I think I have the physical abilities and God’s given abilities to evolve into that player.”
This is the second time Achiuwa’s been voted into the Rising Stars challenge, which this year includes 12 rookies, 12 sophomores and four players from the G League Elite team who will be split into four seven-man teams for a mini-tournament.
He was voted in by assistant coaches last season as a rookie with the Miami Heat but the game was never played as the NBA held a pared down all-star weekend in Atlanta.
This time around, Achiuwa and rookie Raptors teammate Scottie Barnes will take part in what’s always been a rather laid-back competition.
Still, he’s there. He’s going to enjoy himself. And he appreciates the recognition.
“It just goes to show that the work I’m putting in is showing,” he said. “It may not look like it but I remember somebody told me one time, just keep working and eventually it’s going to show.
“That’s basically it. It may not be as glamorous as I want it to look right now, but it’s definitely something that’s coming.”
The “lethal” part may or may not come but there’s no doubt Achiuwa’s game has been evolving since the Raptors obtained him from the Heat last summer in the Kyle Lowry deal.
He’s a better offensive player now — hitting seven of his last 13 threepoint attempts, shooting 42.3 per cent from the field.
He’s an active rebounder — 6.9 per game, including 2.2 on the offensive end — and he looks far more comfortable with the ball and in the flow of the game.
It’s not “lethal” maybe but it’s good and there’s every reason to think it might grow.
“He certainly can (be that good) defensively, rebounding, running, etc., right now,” coach Nick Nurse said. “He’s athletic and strong and big and he can use his will in those areas to be an enforcer.
“Offensively, I think that cleaning up what he’s doing, simplifying what he’s doing, going straight to his strengths for now and let the rest of the stuff develop as we go here is what we’ve trying to do.”
The Raptors brass sees a promising future in Achiuwa, who was originally drafted 20th overall by Miami in 2020. His size (six feet eight inches) and athleticism fit right with the kind of roster Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster are building, and Achiuwa’s seen as a key future piece.
“It’s a great feeling just knowing people are willing to invest time into you and believe in your abilities and basically see a vision for you for the future and allow you to expand,” he said. “It’s a great feeling and I’m really appreciative of that.”
The addition of Thaddeus Young and the continued improved health of Khem Birch might reduce Achiuwa’s role in the final 25-game stretch of the regular season that begins a week Friday in Charlotte.
Achiuwa, however, knows that the longer-term picture of his contribution has yet to come into full focus.
“I’m just staying patient, continue to work and eventually it’s going to come, sooner or later,” he said.
“If you know me, I’m going to keep working, my teammates are believing in me and what I can do, and the coaching staff.
“Eventually it’s going to happen.”