Raptors rookie Chris Jefferies was at home in Fresno, California on draft night in late June and was anxiously awaiting his name to be called. He shares his thoughts with us about what that was like and what followed:

We're watching the draft at home and I'm thinking, 'Oh my god, will I be picked?'. My girlfriend kept moving further and further down the couch and wouldn't say anything.

But after getting picked and hearing my name she just started smiling, she looked at me and then she didn't come back. I'm thinking 'are you going to come over here or are you going to just stand there and smile?'. She was pretty excited about it.

Jefferies Then about 15 seconds after the Lakers picked me my agent called and said "I think a trade is going down with Toronto". Then he hung up. Like, is that it?

But I found out immediately after and I was really glad about coming to Toronto too

That's because when I was here for my workout just meeting everyone gave me a great feeling. It wasn't the same feeling as I got when I went to the Lakers. I was just more comfortable here and everybody was relaxed and being themselves. The one night and day I was here (for workout) I thought it was a great staff and I just got a good feeling that they came off as good people. I like hanging around people who are good to me and that's the feeling I got when I came here for my workout.

I think it was maybe my best workout here. I thought I wasn't going to be able to make it through because I was on the road and had 11 workouts in 14 days. This was my last one and I just had to go through it hard and do my best.

So mainly for the next couple months I'll be in rehab but I'll be with the summer league team in Utah. Even though I won't be participating in summer league play I will be there getting to know some of my new teammates. Hopefully I have a few jokes for them so they don't think I'm a nerd.

People think I'm funny, sometimes other people don't think I'm funny and they just look at me and don't laugh but I can only be myself and I just try to have a good attitude

This is a great city and I'm just really happy to be given a chance.


Edmond Jefferies, Chris' father, was also with him in Toronto and shared some of his thoughts about his son making it to the NBA:

This is a dream come true. At the age of six he said one day I'll play in the NBA.

We knew Toronto had and interest. it's a good fit, but the important thing is that he was drafted and he's going to a good team with a good coach.

He's a comedian. He's a solid kid. He lost his mother when he was 18 and they were very close so that was tough but it is great to see him grow and mature as he has. I know she would be proud.