Jakob Poeltl is an Austrian professional basketball player who plays as a center for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA. Born on October 15, 1995, in Vienna, Austria, he stands 7 feet tall and weighs 260 pounds. Both of his parents were members of the Austrian national volleyball teams, which influenced his early introduction to sports.
He began his basketball career with the Vienna DC Timberwolves and later played for the Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions in the Austrian Bundesliga during the 2013–14 season.
Poeltl moved to the United States to play college basketball for the Utah Utes from 2014 to 2016. In his sophomore year, he was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year and received both the Pete Newell Big Man Award and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award as the top collegiate center. He declared for the NBA draft in April 2016 and was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the ninth overall pick.
Throughout his NBA career, Poeltl has also played for the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he signed in July 2018. After five seasons with the Spurs, he returned to the Raptors in February 2023.
In the 2024–25 season, Poeltl has been a key contributor for Toronto, averaging 14.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 61.6%.
In July 2023, Poeltl signed a four-year, $78 million contract with the Raptors, solidifying his role as a central figure in their lineup.
His consistent performance has been instrumental in the Raptors’ success, including a notable victory over the Indiana Pacers in November 2024, where he contributed 30 points and 16 rebounds, marking his third consecutive double-double.
Poeltl’s journey from Austria to the NBA highlights his dedication and resilience, making him a valuable asset to the Toronto Raptors and a source of inspiration for aspiring basketball players worldwide.