From Vienna, Jakob Poeltl played in the Austrian League for two years before going to Utah, where in 2016, he won the Pac-12 Player of the Year.  The Raptors used their First Round Pick (9^th Overall) to take the Center, and he would play his first two seasons in the North.

Poeltl averaged a little over 11 minutes per game as a rookie in the 54 Games he played for the Raptors, which may not seem like much, but it was clear from the start that he was a defensive asset.  In his sophomore season, Poeltl played in all 82 Games, the only Raptor to do so, though he did so from the bench.  Averaging 18.6 Minutes, Poeltl averaged 1.2 Blocks per Game and was 15^th Overall in Blocks.  

Poeltl was showing his effectiveness, but he was thrown in on the deal that traded DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard.   The Raptors ever forgot Poeltl, and traded for him during his 2022-23 season where he continued his quiet production, but now as a starting Center.