Raptors add size up front by signing seven-foot centre Mo Bamba

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, has a shot blocked by Utah Jazz center Mo Bamba (11) during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

TORONTO — Help has arrived for the Toronto Raptors and he’s seven-feet tall and 231 pounds.

The Raptors signed veteran centre Mo Bamba on Monday, a day after media reports of a deal with the free agent emerged. The announcement of the 27-year-old’s signing came hours before Toronto said that starting centre Jakob Poeltl would be out at least another week as he strengthens and rehabilitates his ailing lower back.

“He’s a seven footer that can block shots, he has a good wingspan, really good timing around the rim to change and block shots,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic, confirming that Bamba would be available to play against the Orlando Magic on Monday night.

“We need for him to be a roller for us, we need from him to bring a lot of intensity on the defensive end and to rebound the ball. All of those traits are very valuable for us at this point, especially when Jak is out.”

Rim protection and presence in the paint has been an issue for Toronto without the seven-foot Austrian in the lineup. Star power forward Scottie Barnes started at centre on Sunday and pulled down 25 rebounds in the Raptors’ 141-127 overtime win over Golden State, but at six-foot-eight he is undersized at the position.

Six-foot-nine Georgian forward Sandro Mamukelashvili has also started at centre in Poeltl’s absence.

Bamba, born in New York to Ivorian parents, was selected sixth overall by Orlando at the 2018 NBA draft but has failed to make an impact over seven seasons with the Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans.

He has averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 16.8 minutes in 364 NBA games (101 starts).

“I know pretty much everything that there is to know about him, from the moment that he came to the league, being drafted really highly and big prospect, very talented player,” said Rajakovic. “I think opportunity that he’s going to have with us is going to be great opportunity for him to prove everybody that he belongs in this league.

“We’re going to have very clear plan for him. We’re going to give him a good opportunity over here with us to show us what he can do, and hopefully works for both sides.”

He played 14 games for the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, this season and was solid in averaging 16.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.9 blocks and 28.7 minutes.

Rookie centre Collin Murray-Boyles, who missed Sunday’s win over Golden State due to illness, was also back in Toronto’s lineup.

Rajakovic said that although Mamukelashvili, Bamba and Murray-Boyles will all be playing at centre throughout the season, Poeltl’s job as starter is safe.

“We need Jak. Jak is extremely, extremely important for us, and when Jak is right physically, he’s so important for us on the offensive end,” said Rajakovic. “He just brings stability. He’s another guy that’s not looking for the ball to be in his hands, but he can playmake.

“He’s a really good screener, good rebounder. He just calms us down on the offensive end.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2025.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press