Cory Joseph
The hometown guard who hit a buzzer-beater against Washington and scored a career-high 33 points for Toronto.
via Wikipedia: Cory Joseph · see source
Cory Joseph joined the Toronto Raptors as a hometown hero, signing a four-year, $30 million contract on July 9, 2015. Although he was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2011, his tenure with Toronto began when he arrived to bolster the backcourt alongside Kyle Lowry. He made his debut on October 28, 2015, recording three points and two rebounds in a 106–99 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Joseph flourished as a backup point guard, averaging a career-high 23 minutes per game during his early outings while helping the Raptors secure the second seed in the East with a 56–26 record.
- Draft Year
- 2011
- Position
- Point Guard
- Tenure
- 2015–2017
- Career High Points (Toronto)
- 33
- Career High Assists (Toronto)
- 13
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Joseph's time in Toronto was defined by clutch moments and rapid development. On November 28, 2015, he secured an 84–82 win over the Washington Wizards with a three-pointer at the buzzer following a well-worked inbounds play, scoring 12 points that night. He continued to raise his ceiling, posting a season-high 19 points against the Orlando Magic on November 6, 2015. His offensive peak arrived on January 17, 2017, when he poured in a career-high 33 points during a 119–109 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Later that season, on March 27, 2017, he recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and a career-high 13 assists in a dominant 131–112 win over Orlando.
In Their Own Story
The pressure mounted during Game 4 of the second-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 7, 2017. With starter Kyle Lowry injured, Joseph stepped into the starting lineup and delivered an unforgettable performance. He tallied 20 points and 12 assists, nearly leading his team to a victory in a tight contest that ended with a 109–102 loss. This effort capped off a season where he had already scored a playoff career-high 18 points in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers on April 16, 2016. Despite the eventual clean sweep by the Cavaliers, Joseph's willingness to lead under pressure highlighted his growth from a rookie draftee to a key contributor for Toronto.
Reader's Guide
Fans of the Raptors should note that Joseph's journey began when he was selected 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2011 NBA draft. His arrival in Toronto on July 9, 2015, marked a new chapter where he played alongside his former college teammate Tristan Thompson, who had been drafted fourth overall in that same class. Joseph's statistical highs in Toronto included scoring 33 points against Brooklyn and securing a double-double with 13 assists against Orlando. His tenure concluded after the 2016–2017 season when he was traded to the Indiana Pacers on July 14, 2017, ending his time as a Raptor after two seasons of significant growth and memorable playoff appearances.
Did You Know?
- Cory Joseph scored a buzzer-beater three-pointer on November 28, 2015, to lift the Raptors over the Washington Wizards 84–82.
- He recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 13 assists in a win against the Orlando Magic on March 27, 2017.
- Joseph was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs (29th overall) before signing with Toronto as a free agent in 2015.
- He started Game 4 of the 2017 playoffs due to an injury to Kyle Lowry, recording 20 points and 6 assists against Cleveland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cory Joseph to the Raptors?
Cory Joseph is a Toronto-born point guard who became a hometown hero when he signed with the Raptors in 2015. He served as the team's secondary ball-handler behind Kyle Lowry during the 2015–2017 stretch.
What was Cory Joseph's role on the 2015-16 Raptors?
He functioned as the backup point guard, shouldering a meaningful scoring and playmaking load in roughly 23 minutes per game. His contributions helped Toronto post a 56–26 record and claim the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
What is Cory Joseph's career-high scoring game for Toronto?
Joseph dropped a career-best 33 points in a single game during his time with the Raptors. He also recorded a career-high 13 assists in another outing for the team.
How did Cory Joseph end up playing for the Raptors?
After being selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2011 draft, Joseph eventually landed in Toronto when he inked a four-year, $30 million deal on July 9, 2015. He made his Raptors debut on October 28, 2015, in a 106–99 win over the Indiana Pacers.
What is Cory Joseph's most iconic Raptors moment?
One of his most celebrated plays was a buzzer-beater against the Washington Wizards that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. That shot became a defining highlight of his brief but beloved stint with the team.
More in Players & Legends
Related in Toronto Raptors
Links follow this subject's own source article.