NBA Draft 2021: Toronto Raptors select Canada's Dalano Banton with No. 46 overall pick

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With the No. 46 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors selected Dalano Banton, a 6-foot-9 guard from the University of Nebraska and Toronto, Ontario.

The pick is of historical significance, as Banton becomes the first Canadian selected by the Raptors in the franchise's history. The Toronto native played his senior year at Redemption Christian Academy in New York, but still played in the BioSteel All-Canadian Game as well as the All-Canadian Signature Game to close his prep career.

Banton is a versatile big guard that put his skills on display as a redshirt sophomore at the University of Nebraska this past season. Over 27 games (22 starts), Banton averaged 9.6 points to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists, both team highs.

Last season, Banton recorded the second triple-double in Nebraska basketball history, finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 21 minutes in a victory over Doane.

Banton joins a Raptors 2021 draft class that also includes No. 4 overall pick Scottie Barnes and No. 47 overall pick David Johnson. The Canadian joins Joshua Primo, who was selected with the No. 12 overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs, as the second Toronto native selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.

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Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.