Immanuel Quickley, the 26-year-old combo guard for the Toronto Raptors, has carved out a reputation as one of the league’s most electric bench-to-starter success stories. Drafted 25th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2020 (and immediately traded to the New York Knicks), Quickley entered the NBA as a sharpshooting prospect from the University of Kentucky, where he earned SEC Player of the Year honors as a sophomore in 2020. Over five-plus seasons, he’s evolved from a reliable sixth man to a full-time floor general, blending microwave scoring, playmaking vision, and lockdown defense. With career totals of 3,978 points, 1,012 assists, and 980 rebounds across 291 games, Quickley ranks as a rising star in Toronto’s rebuild. His trajectory hit a high note this offseason with a lucrative five-year, $175 million extension, signaling the Raptors’ faith in his All-Star potential.
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College Roots: The SEC Sniper
Quickley’s foundation was laid at Kentucky, where he transformed from a freshman reserve to a sophomore sensation. In his breakout 2019-20 campaign, he averaged 16.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, drilling threes at a 38.3% clip. Highlights included a career-high 30 points (with eight threes) in a February 2020 rout of Texas A&M, earning him SEC First-Team and Player of the Year accolades. His poise under pressure—honed in high school buzzer-beaters like a game-winning three in the Baltimore Catholic League championship—propelled him to the NBA.
Rookie Impact: Instant Sixth-Man Spark
Debuting amid the 2020-21 bubble protocols, Quickley wasted no time. In 64 games off the Knicks’ bench, he averaged 11.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, shooting an eye-popping 38.9% from deep on 4.6 attempts. His 19.4 minutes per game belied his impact: Quickley finished 10th in Sixth Man of the Year voting, a remarkable feat for a late first-rounder. A brief injury sidelined him early, but he returned with nine points in a gritty win over Indiana, foreshadowing his clutch gene.
Knicks Era: Triple-Doubles and Bench Brilliance
Quickley’s Knicks tenure (2020-23) showcased his versatility. In 2021-22, he notched his first career triple-double—20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists—in a blowout of Orlando. The next season, he elevated to 14.9 points and 3.4 assists across 81 games (21 starts), finishing second in Sixth Man voting while tying his career-high four steals in a road win over Utah. Playoff glimpses were limited but telling: In 2023, he averaged 2.9 points in eight games against Miami, including key minutes in New York’s Eastern Conference semifinal push. Career highs during this stretch include 40 points (2022) and 16 rebounds (2022 vs. Atlanta).
Raptors Renaissance: Starter’s Stage and Scoring Surges
The December 2023 trade to Toronto—part of the OG Anunoby deal—unlocked Quickley’s prime. In 38 games (all starts) with the Raptors that season, he exploded for 18.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.8 rebounds, capping it with a career-high 18 assists in a March 2024 loss to Phoenix. Injuries hampered his 2024-25 campaign (33 games, 17.1 PPG, 5.8 APG), but he rebounded with the monster extension. This season (2025-26), through 13 games, Quickley’s averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds on 46.2% shooting, including a 25-point gem (10-of-13 FG, five threes) in a November 13 win over Cleveland.
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | FG% | 3P% | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | NYK | 64 | 19.4 | 11.4 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 39.5 | 38.9 | 10th in Sixth Man voting |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 78 | 23.1 | 13.6 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 39.2 | 34.6 | First triple-double (20-10-10) |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 81 | 28.9 | 14.9 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 44.8 | 37.0 | 2nd in Sixth Man; 4 steals high |
| 2023-24 | NYK/TOR | 68 | 29.2 | 15.3 | 4.9 | 3.8 | 43.4 | 39.5 | 18.6 PPG post-trade; 18 AST high |
| 2024-25 | TOR | 33 | 27.8 | 17.1 | 5.8 | 3.5 | 42.0 | 37.8 | Injury-shortened; extension signed |
| 2025-26* | TOR | 13 | 31.4 | 15.8 | 6.2 | 4.3 | 46.2 | 37.5 | 25 PTS vs. CLE (5/7 3P) |
*As of November 15, 2025
Quickley’s intangibles—elite off-ball movement, quick-release threes, and high-IQ passing—make him a perfect fit beside Scottie Barnes. As Toronto eyes playoff contention, his mid-game flair (like last night’s shoe giveaway) underscores a career defined by heart as much as highlights. At 6-3 with room to grow, Quickley’s best chapters are still unwritten.
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