Garrett Temple, Undrafted in 2009, Still Anchoring the Raptors 17 Seasons Later

Key facts

• Garrett Temple went undrafted in 2009 but is now in his 17th NBA season.
• At 39, he is the fourth-oldest active player in the league.
• Temple made his NBA debut with the Houston Rockets on Feb. 9, 2010.
• He played four years at LSU and reached the Final Four as a freshman.
• Temple has played only two total minutes in the Raptors' first-round series against the Cavaliers.
• The Raptors are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing the fourth-seeded Cavaliers 3-2 in the series.
• Game 6 is in Toronto; a win forces Game 7 in Cleveland on Sunday.
• LeBron James congratulated Temple on his 17-year career during a chance encounter in Las Vegas.

A Veteran's Presence on the Sidelines

Garrett Temple, 39, has played just two minutes in the Toronto Raptors' first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Yet his impact is felt every game. He stands alongside the coaching staff, calling plays, or hyping teammates from the bench. Gradey Dick, Toronto's 2023 first-round pick, calls Temple "basically like a player-coach." "He's always talking to the coaches and learning what they want," Dick said. "Obviously, the coaches are gonna coach us, but it's kind of different when it comes from a player and a guy that's in our position." Temple's wife once explained his bench role to their son: "That's kind of what my wife told my son when my son asked, 'Why is daddy always on the bench?'" Temple said.

Mentoring the Next Generation

Temple joined the Raptors in the 2023-24 season, the same year Dick entered the league as a rookie. "He taught me the ropes to the NBA as much as he could," Dick said. "Coming in as a young guy, any questions I have, I lean towards him, always." Temple also guided Brandon Ingram during his first postseason in 2022, when they were teammates on the New Orleans Pelicans. Ingram, then 24, averaged 27 points, 6.2 assists and 6.2 rebounds in that series—postseason bests he has yet to surpass. Now 28, Ingram is the Raptors' third-oldest player behind Temple and Jakob Poeltl, 30. "[Temple's] been there for me for a very long time," Ingram said before the 2026 postseason. "He always speaks highly of me. He's always a voice to help me to [see] things that I don't see. [He] always comes to me, whispers it to me. Let me know the things I could be doing to lead some of the younger guys on the team."

A Journey from Undrafted to 17 Seasons

Temple's path to longevity is remarkable. A four-year starter at LSU who played in the Final Four as a freshman, he was not among the 60 players selected in the 2009 NBA draft. He signed with the Houston Rockets later that summer and spent most of his first professional season in the G League with the Rio Grande Vipers. He made his NBA debut on Feb. 9, 2010. Seventeen years later, he is the fourth-oldest active player in the league. LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and current oldest player, acknowledged Temple's career during a chance encounter at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas last summer. "'Bron told me congratulations when I complimented him on playing 23 years in the league," Temple recalled. "I said, 'Twenty years, bro, this is crazy.' He's like, 'Man, 17 for you now.'"

Playoff Stakes and a Possible Farewell

The Raptors, fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, are locked in a tight first-round series against the fourth-seeded Cavaliers. After splitting the first four games, Cleveland won Game 5 at home on Wednesday, taking a 3-2 lead. Game 6 is in Toronto tonight; a Raptors win forces a decisive Game 7 in Cleveland on Sunday. "We got to come out and fight and make it a gritty game," Temple said. "If we don't defend, then we have to try and beat them at their own game, and that's not to our advantage. I don't want this to be my last game. … We know that we have to protect home court. We need to play our defense. Our backs are against the wall. We have to do whatever we can to win."

Respect Across Eras

Temple's encounter with James underscored the mutual respect between two players who have defied the typical NBA lifespan. Temple first met James during a training camp in Miami. "He knows my journey better than most," Temple said. "He's always shown a lot of respect, and obviously I have the utmost for him, too." Temple made a point to get James's jersey signed when the Raptors played the Lakers. "Who knows how much longer he's going to play? Who knows how much longer I will play?" Temple said. "Obviously, I knew him when I was in training camp with him in Miami. So, he knows my journey better than most."

What Comes Next for Temple and the Raptors

Whether these are the final games of Temple's NBA career remains uncertain. The Raptors face elimination tonight. A loss ends their season and potentially Temple's 17-year run. A win extends the series to Sunday. Temple's role as a mentor, however, has already left a mark on Toronto's young core. "I'm always in the locker room with them, I'm always talking with them, and they understand that I'm still one of the guys," Temple said. His influence on players like Dick and Ingram may outlast his playing days. For now, all focus is on Game 6. "I don't want this to be my last game," Temple said.

The bottom line

• Garrett Temple went undrafted in 2009 but has played 17 NBA seasons, currently with the Toronto Raptors.
• At 39, he is the fourth-oldest active player and serves as an unofficial player-coach for a young Raptors team.
• LeBron James publicly acknowledged Temple's career longevity during a chance meeting in Las Vegas.
• Temple mentored Gradey Dick as a rookie and previously guided Brandon Ingram through his first postseason.
• The Raptors trail the Cavaliers 3-2 in the first round; Game 6 is in Toronto, with elimination at stake.
• Temple's journey from undrafted to 17-year veteran is a story of perseverance and adaptability.