Former Missouri State basketball standout Jonathan Mogbo picked by Raptors in NBA Draft

Former Missouri State standout Jonathan Mogbo became one of the highest former Bears selected in the NBA Draft when the Toronto Raptors picked him with the 31st overall pick.

Mogbo, the first former Bear to be drafted since Alize Johnson was selected in the second round of the 2018 draft with the 50th overall pick, was the first pick of the second round.

Don Anielak is the only former Missouri State player selected higher than Mogbo. Anielak was the 26th overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 1954 draft.

Mogbo played one season at Missouri State in 2022-23 before he entered the transfer portal and played last season at San Francisco. His draft stock took off as a member of the Dons, developing into a versatile player who averaged a double-double. He was named the West Coast Conference's newcomer of the year.

At Missouri State, Mogbo showed he had a high ceiling because of his frame and athleticism. He showcased it at the NBA Combine where he had one of the largest height-to-wingspan ratios and the fifth-fastest sprint of any of the prospects. He had a 37.5-inch max vertical, something he showed with his many blocks and dunks in his one year under former head coach Dana Ford.

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Jonathan Mogbo stats at Missouri State

Missouri State was Mogbo's third college in three years. He was a junior college transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M after transferring from Independence (Kansas) Community College.

Mogbo started 28 of 30 games for the Bears during a 17-15 season. He averaged 24.4 minutes, eight points, seven rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

Almost every one of his numbers went up after he transferred to San Francisco where he averaged 28.9 minutes, 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He went from a 58.9% shooter to a 63.6% shooter the next year. He took only a pair of shots from deep during his senior year, missing both.

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USA Today's scouting report on Jonathan Mogbo

• Advanced stats absolutely love Mogbo’s performance at USF last season. He was in the 94th percentile in overall offense, 97th percentile in possessions plus assists, 98th percentile in transition, and 94th percentile in at the rim scoring.
• Mogbo’s ability to score around the rim is outstanding, especially at his size, but it’s his ability as a connector that will wow teams. His decision-making and passing skills are top-notch for a big, and in the right system could really allow him to thrive.
• Mogbo moves well without the basketball, cutting to the rim and getting out in transition, which should help him be impactful at the next level without needing a bunch of touches.
• Mogbo is an elite rebounder thanks to his massive 7-foot-2 wingspan, and while he’s unlikely to be a big-time shot blocker he should rebound well at the next level.
• Defends well in space, uses his size and wingspan to alter shots and keep guards in front of him.
• A non-shooter, Mogbo did not make a three pointer last year and only shot 69.2% from the free throw line. Perhaps improvement as a three point shooter will come in time, but it’s not there now.
• At 6-foot-6 without shoes, Mogbo is an extremely undersized big man. The lack of size or shooting pigeonholes him into a somewhat limited role at the next level, and his teammates in the frontcourt will need to have certain skills for Mogbo to be playable.
• Mogbo will be 22 entering his rookie season, and while age isn’t always a big factor the fact that he has only performed at or near this level once could give scouts some pause.
• Mogbo had a habit of disappearing in bigger games last year, scoring eight points at Gonzaga and six points at St. Mary’s. He did have big assist numbers in those games, but fair to wonder if he can bring it against better opponents.