Jamal Shead was drafted 45th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the second round in 2024. He played under head coach Kelvin Sampson at Houston. At the time of the draft, no one seemed to bother looking into Shead as a potential first-round selection.
On Friday, Shead showed why he was worth more than where he was picked as the Raptors forced Game 7 against the much favored Clevelad Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena. In Game 6, with injuries piling up, he stepped into a larger role again. Shead played 37 minutes for seven points to go along with six assists and one steal. Before that, in Game 5, he recorded 18 points on 7-15 shooting, along with seven assists and two steals.
After Game 6, Sampson recalled how fearful NBA teams were about drafting the guard.
“There’s nothing that boy does that surprises me,” Sampson said. “I just remember how fearful a lot of the teams were that were calling. Scared money don’t make money, brother. If you knew him like I knew him, you wouldn’t be sitting there asking questions. But the questions you’re asking me, you’re trying to talk yourself into him. And I’m not going to do that.”
ESPN’s Reporter Reveals Jamal Shead Detail After Raptors Star Made Game Changing Play
In crucial Game 4 against the Cavaliers, Jamal Shead made a game-changing defensive play, diving for a loose ball and forcing a turnover in the final minute to help secure a 93-89 win.
“I kinda looked up, saw there was like 17-16 (left on the shot clock) and I just kinda shot up there trying to get the eight-second count,” Shead said of the play. “It just happened, so shoutout to Scottie. Scottie was working, man. And we just try to come behind him and make that eight-second happen.
Scottie Barnes called Shead “a smart player” for making that read and having the clock awareness in that split second.
Shead has constantly disturbed important Cavs scorers like Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.
ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla recalled what he told many in the NBA about Shead:
“Your coaching staff will never, ever be able to cut this guy.”
Over all 82 regular-season games this year, Jamal Shead has put the defensive identity learned from Houston on display in the NBA. Diving for loose balls, pressuring ball-handlers, and forcing mistakes are some of the traits the Raptors have enjoyed and benefited the whole season. Shead may have just averaged 6.6 points and 5.4 assists but his value is rooted beyond just numbers.
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