The Raptors tried to make trades which included attempts at moving up to get an impact player in the deep 2012 NBA Draft.

Toronto almost had their preferred choice land on their lap when North Carolina Harrison Barnes remained available until the seventh pick.

Instead General Manager Bryan Colengelo and his team decided on Terrance Ross.

Ross is a strong shooter with range from all over the court — the Raptors said coming into the draft they were eager to find shooters — and also is an excellent defender and rebounder, capable of playing either shooting guard or small forward.

Unable to land a potential star, the Raptors opted for safety in the form of sophomore Washington swingman Terrence Ross with the No. 8 selection, surprising even the man himself.

“I was shocked. I found out (when) my agent told me: ‘This is you, you’re up next.’ It kind of like took my breath away,” Ross told the Toronto Sun.

“My heart started racing, I didn’t know what to expect.”

Ross had a good workout earlier this month, but the club badly wanted North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes, who has more star power but went a pick earlier to Golden State. The team’s other main targets, Dion Waiters of Syracuse and Damian Lillard of Weber State, went fourth and sixth, respectively.