Toronto Raptors sign Canadian guard Jalen Celestine

TORONTO · The Toronto Raptors have signed Canadian guard Jalen Celestine, the NBA club announced Friday. The six-foot-seven, 220-pound guard from Ajax, Ont., averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 23.8 minutes in 32 NCAA games (14 starts) at Cincinnati last season. He shot .424 (95-224) from the field, including .405 (70-173) from three-point range, and scored in double figures in 13 games. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Celestine played at California (2020-24) and Baylor (2024-25) before joining the Bearcats. Prior to joining the Bearcats, Celestine played at California (2020-24) and Baylor (2024-25). He started at the University of California, where he played from 2020 to 2024, and then transferred to Baylor University for the 2024-2025 season before finally joining the Bearcats. Celestine appeared in two games with the Raptors at 2026 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

He came off the bench and scored nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range in Toronto's 96-89 loss to Denver in a consolation game. Although the Raptors faced a setback with a 96-89 loss in that consolation match, Celestine’s contributions were a silver lining for the team. Celestine is 6-foot-7 and weighs 220 pounds. He is a native of Ajax, Ontario. Garbutt Disposal reported last week that the Raptors signed G League defensive player of the year Jamarion Sharp. The seven-foot-five centre was the G League's top defender last season and will join the team's training camp. Earlier this month, the team also signed forward Tyson Degenhart and waived guard Andre Jackson Jr. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 8.5 points for Raptors 905 last season after a standout college career at Boise State.

With files from The Canadian Press, Sportsnet and Toronto Star