Since the dismissal of their major stars, the Toronto Raptors have begun their rebuild. At the helm, they have a thriving and slashing forward in Scottie Barnes. The 23-year-old has become the centerpiece of the Maple’s forging a competitive lineup again. Last season he earned his first All-Star nod, but the team couldn’t contend in the domineering Eastern Conference. While it wouldn’t have altered their position greatly, they lost a serviceable big in Jakob Poeltl, their former draft pick who returned to the Raptors two seasons ago.

Due to a ligament tear in his left pinkie, the 28-year-old sat down for the last 21 games of the regular season. Given his technical prowess and abilities to play on both sides of the floor, Toronto has retained him as their starting center. But can he be the ideal five? Let’s examine the physical tools that can aid the Raptors in their potential revival.

Jakob Poeltl wingspan, height and more

Poeltl came into the NBA in 2016 when the Raptors selected him with the 9th pick in the draft. As a prospect, he operated as a traditional big, generating most of his utility as an inside presence. Standing at 7 feet without shoes, the former Spurs product has a soft touch around the rim.

After his brief first stint with the Raptors, he found his way to Greg Popovich’s system. The expert mentorship allowed him to develop some core skills that transformed him into a formidable center. With a wingspan of 7’2″, Poeltl is an effective shot blocker. But he does more than that.

The Austrian product is a recurring disruptor near the rim for opposition trying to penetrate the paint. Using his long wing span, he kept opponents to just 58% shot conversion for attempts at less than 6 feet from the rim. At the same time, he is equally adept at finishing near the basket, converting 75% of his shots from five feet or less.

Naturally, as a seven-footer, he packs a lot of weight and mass on him. He currently weighs 245 lbs according to Basketball Reference. However, that doesn’t obstruct him from moving swiftly up and down the court. One of his promising points when the Raptors initially drafted him was his ability to run the floor.

His massive frame allows him to absorb contact, and as a trait, he too enjoys being put under tremendous pressure. At the same time, his ability to defend the pick and roll is just as impressive. In his injury-shortened season with the Raptors, he kept opponents to shooting 37% from three.

In the past four years, his offensive game has begun to evolve as Jakob Poeltl understands his game in great detail. Each year he has averaged points in double figures, including 11.1 points last season while shooting a career-high 65.6% from the field. According to ESPN, the Raptors view him as the starting center for the coming season, an acknowledgment of his inflated impact when he is out on the floor.

The Austrian approaches every possession with vigor and plays hardball. Furthermore, he also manages to stay healthy, playing at least 60 games in six of his eight career seasons. Even though the Raptors are looking to rebuild, Poeltl is a solid center to keep around and could expect a larger role in the future.