TORONTO (AP) For now, anyway, Chris Bosh is known mostly as the guy drafted after LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

The way the 19-year-old rookie is playing for the Toronto Raptors, he just might change that perception.

Bosh doesn't mind that he lacks a major endorsement deal and hasn't been on the cover of Sports Illustrated, like those other two rookies. Playing basketball is his only concern.

``To tell you the truth, it's OK to be under the radar and not have that pressure,'' Bosh said. ``That's my situation and I enjoy it.''

Bosh jumped to the NBA after playing one year at Georgia Tech, and in a draft that included top picks James, Anthony and Darko Milicic, nobody talked much about No. 4.

Raptors star Vince Carter represented the team at the draft lottery in Secaucus, N.J., in May, and he shook his head in disappointment when the Raptors didn't get a higher pick. Carter later said Toronto should trade the pick for a veteran.

Carter isn't saying that now.

``Everybody talks about LeBron and Carmelo. Nobody talks about the rest of that rookie class, so he really doesn't have any pressure,'' Carter said. ``He can't go anywhere but up as far as jumping onto the scene and possibly winning rookie of the year. I think he's very capable.''

The wiry 6-foot-10 Bosh, averaging 9.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, has improved with each game. He might have had the best performance by any rookie so far when he forced overtime with his first NBA 3-pointer and scored 10 of his season-high 25 points in the extra periods to lead Toronto to a double-overtime victory over Houston on Nov. 16.

That outburst came one game after he struggled in his first start of the season, a loss to Sacramento in which he was physically overmatched against center Brad Miller.

Raptors coach Kevin O'Neill said Bosh wasn't ready to be a starter and instead used him in a reserve role against the Rockets.

Bosh responded by shooting 7-of-11 from the field and making all 10 free throws, including 6-of-6 in overtime. He also grabbed nine rebounds, six of them on the offensive glass.

Earlier, Bosh made clutch shots in a season-opening victory over New Jersey and a game-winning layup against Washington two days later. In Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia, Bosh had 16 points, six rebounds and a season-high six blocks.

O'Neill has been urging Bosh to shoot more.

``I have a lot of faith in that kid,'' said O'Neill, in his first season as Raptors coach. ``I've said all along that he's going to be a special player in this league at some point.

``He's a guy that, if we don't stunt his growth, will continue to make strides on a weekly basis. He's very intelligent, very mature.''

Carter and veteran Michael Curry, president of the NBA Players Association, say the same about Bosh, and both have taken him under their wing.

Before the season, Curry pulled Bosh aside and said he would meet with the rookie before every pregame shootaround and after every practice to work on his game and teach him about life in the NBA. He also has given Bosh a couple of books about personal finance.

``He's just like my son. They are both well-mannered,'' said Curry, whose eldest, Xavier, is a year younger than Bosh. ``He's getting to the point now where he's making a mistake and he realizes before anyone says anything. That just shows tremendous growth.''

Bosh also receives guidance from his 24-year-old cousin, Adriene Mayes, who has moved to Toronto from Detroit to cook and manage his schedule.

``I couldn't even imagine coming home to an empty house every day,'' Bosh said.

Mayes makes sure Bosh eats right, which is fine with the Raptors, who want him to add to his 225-pound frame. O'Neill says Bosh is more suited to make jump shots than work inside, but he says he'll eventually be an excellent post player when he adds weight.

``He's going to play an all-around game at this level,'' Toronto center Antonio Davis said. ``He's going to improve. We just have to pack a few pounds on him.''

Bosh has already impressed Anthony with his development.

``I think Bosh is coming along, man,'' the Denver Nuggets' rookie said. ``It's all about confidence, and that's starting to build for him. ... He's a sleeper right now because all the attention is on me and LeBron.''

Although Anthony makes $25 million in endorsements compared to $1 million for Bosh, he envies Bosh's anonymity.

``I'd love to be in his position,'' he said, shaking his head with a big smile. ``He gets to go out and play and he doesn't have to worry about anything.''

Like Anthony, Bosh tracks how other rookies are doing. He watches highlights and frequently talks with Milwaukee's T.J. Ford and Miami's Dwyane Wade. He doesn't phone James or Anthony, though.

``They are a little different,'' Bosh said. ``They have a lot of things to do.''

So does Bosh, but away from the media glare, where he likes it for now.