Memphis senior Dain Dainja drew attention on June 16, 2025, when he worked out for the Toronto Raptors as part of his pre-draft tour . Standing 6-foot-9 and weighing 255 pounds, Dainja is garnering buzz—not as a locked‑in first-round pick, but as a promising candidate for a summer league roster spot or Exhibit 10 contract.
Dainja burst onto the scene this past season after transferring to Memphis from Baylor and Illinois. He averaged an impressive 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting a remarkable 61.5 percent from the field. His dominance in the paint helped lead the Tigers to the AAC regular-season and tournament titles . What separates him from many bigs is his ability to handle the ball—he can push the pace in transition and even initiate plays from the perimeter.
Despite his offensive flashes and strong post presence, Dainja does raise some concerns. Scouts note his tendency to over-dribble, leading to turnovers, and his lack of conditioning and lateral quickness might limit how much he can defend on the perimeter or switch onto smaller, quicker players .
For the Raptors, this workout aligns with their strategic depth-building approach. Toronto holds the No. 9 pick in the upcoming draft but may petition to trade down—or even out of the first round—to free up flexibility . In such a scenario, low-risk, high-upside players like Dainja become attractive targets. He fits a classic development profile: dominant in college, with physical tools that might translate in the pros with coaching and conditioning.
Toronto’s front office has already expressed interest in multiple bigs—including Auburn’s Johni Broome and Maryland’s Derik Queen—and Dainja likely ranks alongside them as a potential summer league or Raptors 905 addition .
At this stage, Dainja’s future pivots on a few factors: a resolution on his NCAA waiver, the Raptors’ draft and workout decisions, and his ability to address mobility and stamina concerns. If he can demonstrate he can guard in space and maintain energy through full games, he may earn a coveted Exhibit 10 deal—or even a two-way contract.
In short, Dain Dainja’s combination of size, efficiency, and ball skills make him an intriguing developmental piece. His Raptors workout signals that, even if he isn’t a first-round pick, he has a pathway to NBA opportunity this summer.
—