Rayan Rupert

Rayan Rupert, born in Strasbourg, France, graduated from the INSEP Academy in France before pursuing professional basketball. From the 2019-20 season through the 2021-22 season, he played for Centre Federal in the French NM1 and appeared in FIBA Junior Team events. Before last season, he signed with the New Zealand Breakers. There, he started 18 of 31 appearances and averaged 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.7 steals in 18.1 minutes. He posted season highs of 17 points, four threes, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Rupert is a defense-first wing and hustles on both ends of the floor. His extensive wingspan and active hands create issues for opposing offenses whether he's on or off the ball. He's got plenty of upside to rack up both steals and blocks. Offensively, he's done well in transition and going to the basket, as he's fluid with the basketball in his hands and can finish over similarly-sized defenders with ease given his wingspan. Off-ball cuts are a significant part of Rupert's offensive repertoire. Rupert shares similarities to a stretched-out version of Isaac Okoro or Herbert Jones tilted more toward ballhandling and playmaking. He will likely begin his career off the bench as a defensive specialist who could occasionally be assigned to slow down an opposing player amid a fantastic scoring night. A more consistent jumpshot could turn Rupert into a starter.