Cory Joseph

The hometown guard who hit a buzzer-beater against Washington and scored a career-high 33 points for Toronto.

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.

Quick Facts

Position: Point guard
League: GBL; EuroLeague
Team: Olympiacos
Born: 20 August 1991
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
High school: Pickering (Ajax, Ontario); Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nevada)
College: Texas (2010–2011)
Draft round: 1

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 9 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 25, 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.

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.

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 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.