Good question. I think he can defend the 3. But From his college film, I would say offensively he looks more like a 4.
Trail Blazers rookie Toumani Camara impressing coach Chauncey Billups https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2023/10/trail-blazers-rookie-toumani-camara-impressing-coach-chauncey-billups.html?outputType=amp Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon. Those were the notable names that ended up in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform after multiple trades that reshaped the roster and sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. The less-known player acquired was forward Toumani Camara, the Phoenix Suns’ second-round pick in June’s NBA draft. Camara, who played collegiately at Dayton, likely won’t contribute much as a rookie. He could land with the Rip City Remix, the Blazers’ new G League team. But at the very least, Camara has caught the eye of Blazers coach Chauncey Billups. "I’ve been very impressed with Toumani,” Billups said. “He’s just a basketball player. He’s just in the right places.” Specifically on defense, something Billups greatly values. After a training camp practice at UC Santa Barbara in California, Billups praised Camara’s ability to pick up guard Anfernee Simons fullcourt and make him work. “He just has a good feel about him,” Billups said. “He has a toughness about him. I was pretty impressed.” The Blazers worked out Camara prior to the NBA draft and had a chance to select him in the second round. But the Blazers instead used the 43rd overall pick to take 6-6 forward Rayan Rupert, 19. Camara, 23, went 52nd overall to the Suns. In both, the Blazers found two long, athletic, defensive-minded forwards. Of the two, Camara has the more refined offensive skills. Last season at Dayton, he averaged 13.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54.6% from the field and a career-best 36.3% on threes. His performance earned him first-team all-Atlantic 10 and a spot on the conference’s all-defensive team. During NBA Summer League, Camara averaged 16.3 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists per game for the Suns. Camara, raised in Brussels, said he brings the Blazers energy and the ability to play and guard multiple positions. Mainly, he seeks to play winning basketball. “Whatever the team needs me to do at the moment or is needed, that’s what I’m going to do,” Camara said, adding: “I can do a lot of different things.”
really fun to have ended up ass backwards with a rotational two-way wing after a decade of struggling to find one. thank, suns,
Holton mentioned on the radio that Camara wears Pippen's Blazer number 33 and Pippen is his favorite player, then went on to say Camara's game looks like a young Pippen. Not a bad SF to pattern your game after
I sure don't see the Pippen comp. Pippen had incredible lateral mobility and great straight line speed. I like what I've seem from Camara, but he's simply solid rather than fast he kind of reminds me of Jim Jackson. Camara is bigger and will be better on defense and the boards. Jackson likely quite a bit better on offense. Actually, and nobody but someone my age will get this, Camara reminds me of Greg Ballard
Not only did the Suns send Portland a rotation-worthy rookie—he’s going to get heavy rotation minutes this year and is probably in pole position in front of Murray and Jabari Walker at this point. Camara did so many little things on both ends of the court that just show how polished he is already. I’m not sure how Billups can keep him on the bench.
I love having 2nd round gems fall in our lap. It’s unexpected and nice surprise, to go along with a super cheap contract. But, how did Camara fall so far given that he’s 6’8 220 wing with good size and defensive instincts. He was almost undrafted.
I love our young wings all of a sudden. I'd still like to trade Grant and Ant for a young PF like Jabari Smith Jr. Can you imagine a starting lineup (sub in a different PF you like that you think is in that value range. PG: Scoot SG: Sharpe SF: Toumani PF: Smith Jr. or your fave young PF C: Ayton Man that looks like a really nice core. Even just a defensive PF who can block shots, rebound, catch lobs and dunk putbacks with the occasional 3 ball.
