If you, like me, have been locked in on Dancing with the Stars this season, you know ball. If you haven’t been in tune with one of the best reality television shows ever in its 20-year history, let me explain
how it works. Celebrities are paired with professional ballroom dancers, and each week they rehearse a new ballroom or Latin dance to perform live on the show. They are then scored, and the couple with the lowest scores + viewer votes is eliminated each week. In the end, one couple wins the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy — which is, yes, a disco ball.
Athletes have a long history on the show, and basketball players, especially, have been fan favourites over the years. Mostly NBA players, but the WNBA’s Arike Ogunbowale was once a competitor as well. Usually, on the men’s side, NBA guys on the show are retired, since the DWTS season overlaps with the NBA season.
Maybe the most famous NBA player to ever be on the show was Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who participated in an athletes-only season. He and his partner, Lindsay Arnold, were eliminated during a double elimination, placing them in 7th/8th place that season. Iman Shumpert won his season with his partner Daniella Karagach, displaying a surprising amount of skill for an NBA player and creating several viral dance moments. Other NBA players who have graced the dance floor include Dwight Howard, Baron Davis, Lamar Odom, Metta World Peace, and Charles Oakley.
Now, here is a ranking of how I think a few of the current Toronto Raptors would do on Dancing with the Stars:
1. Scottie Barnes
Scottie can move! He also seems like the kind of guy who wouldn’t be afraid to really bust a move on the dance floor. Based on Scottie’s love for the musical Hamilton, he would probably also get into the theatrics of the dances as well, and be able to emote and sell the dance moves. His goofy and loving personality would likely endear fans, and his competitive energy would push him to want to improve each week as well.
NBA players often struggle because their lankiness inhibits their ability to look fluid when they are dancing. This, and the height discrepancy that NBA guys often have with their dance partners, makes doing ballroom dances in frame a little harder. Those would probably be Scottie’s shortcomings, but if Iman can do as well as he did, maybe Scottie could too!
2. Garrett Temple
Our dapper veteran, Garrett Temple, would THRIVE in the ballroom. We already know he loves fashion and can rock a tuxedo, so he would look great in the costumes. Temple also carries a grace and poise that would lend well to the ballroom styles where you’re in frame. He wouldn’t have trouble with elegant waltzes or intense tangos.
I feel like Garrett would also be really excited for his kids to see a different side of him! He’s such a family guy and would be a fun presence on the show. Fans would easily fall in love with his endearing personality.
3. Jamal Shead
With Jamal Shead being on the smaller side, the height factor would not be as bad for him as it would be for other NBA players. That could help in the ballroom. Shead is another Raptor who has a very outgoing personality and may not be afraid to get down on the dance floor. He also has a ton of energy, meaning he would bring a lot of theatricality to his dances and have a lot of fun learning the different styles.
4. Immanuel Quickley
When Immanuel Quickley makes a shot, his celebration sound is the “meep meep” of the Looney Tunes Road Runner. Obviously a nod to his name being Quickley, but he’s also a speedy guy! This could help him in dances like the quickstep and jive, which require a lot of bouncy energy. His fun personality matches that energy, and he would be fun to watch.
Retired NBA players often struggle with those kinds of dances, given the years and years of stress on their knees and ankles, so staying healthy is the key.
5. Gradey Dick
Remember Gradey’s TikTok dancing era? That’s the kind of energy he could bring to the ballroom! Once lanky and slightly awkward rookie Gradey is becoming more solid and strong as he develops into a great NBA role player, but that love of dance could still translate onto Dancing with the Stars.
He’s another who I think would really commit to trying to learn each dance style and improve his scores each week. I could also see him doing well in the ballroom style dances, and even being a dark horse to get far in the competition with steady improvement and dedication.
What do you think? Which other Raptors do you think could have a shot on Dancing with the Stars?
