Team Trae Young has its first NBA Draft pick, and it’s a first rounder.

TTY alum Ja’Kobe Walter was drafted by the Toronto Raptors with the 19th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

“Obviously, [we] feel fortunate to get Ja’Kobe at this spot…[he’s] a kid we’ve followed since high school,” Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said. “Always been a winner, tough, kind of fits the mold of a two-way Raptor way of player. Can make a shot, play defense.”

Ja’Kobe starred for Team Trae Young on the AAU circuit through the summer of 2022, drawing the attention of the Raptors among many others. He committed to Baylor University in the summer of 2022 and after completing his senior season at Link Academy enrolled at Baylor. As a freshman starter for the Bears, he played in all 35 games during the 2023-24 season averaging 14.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game to earn Big 12 Rookie of the Year, All Big 12 Freshman Team and Third Team All Big 12 honors.

“I’m a competitor, a scorer, a two-way player, someone who will sacrifice their body on the defensive end and just do whatever it takes to win,” Walter said. “I hope to show more of my shot creation. I think a lot of people forget that I can score the ball really well, so I’d say that’s the part of my game I’m trying to show more.”

Following his freshman year, Ja’Kobe decided to chase his dreams and make the leap to the NBA.

“Getting drafted means the world to me,” he said. “Me and my family have been talking about this for a long time. I prayed so many times for just this moment right here and that now that it’s here, it’s dreams to reality, and I’m really grateful.”

He joins a Raptors team that recently locked up former first round pick Scottie Barnes to a massive contract extension. Ja’Kobe will likely man the wing opposite Barnes in the future.

“[Toronto] is where I’m meant to be,” Ja’Kobe said. “I think I’m going to fit in well with them and I’m super excited.”