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Toronto Raptors

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Toronto Raptors
NameToronto Raptors
Founded1995
HistoryToronto Raptors, 1995–present
ArenaScotiabank Arena
LocationToronto, Ontario
ColorsRed, black, silver, gold
ConferenceEastern Conference
DivisionAtlantic Division
OwnerMaple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
General managerBobby Webster
Head coachDarko Rajaković
Championship titles1 (2019)
Conference titles1 (2019)
Division titles7 (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)

Toronto Raptors. The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, competing in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. Established in 1995 as part of the NBA expansion into Canada, the franchise won its first and only NBA championship in 2019, becoming the first team based outside the United States to claim the title. The team plays its home games at Scotiabank Arena, which it shares with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League.

History

The franchise was awarded to a group headed by John Bitove in 1993, with the team beginning play in the 1995–96 NBA season alongside the Vancouver Grizzlies. Early stars included Damon Stoudamire, who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1996, and Vince Carter, whose electrifying play in the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest brought global attention. A significant turning point came in 2006 when Bryan Colangelo was hired as General Manager and later President, overseeing the acquisition of cornerstone players like Chris Bosh. The team's competitive era accelerated under the leadership of Masai Ujiri, who became President of Basketball Operations in 2013. Ujiri engineered the pivotal 2018 trade for Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs, a move that culminated in the franchise's historic victory in the 2019 NBA Finals over the Golden State Warriors.

Franchise records and achievements

The franchise's greatest achievement is winning the 2019 NBA Finals, with Kawhi Leonard earning the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. The team has appeared in the NBA playoffs numerous times, with its first conference finals appearance occurring in 2016. Individual accolades include Vince Carter's eight NBA All-Star selections as a member, Kyle Lowry's six All-Star nods, and Pascal Siakam's NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2019. The team holds the record for the longest winning streak by a Canadian team in the NBA regular season. Several players have had their numbers retired, including the #15 of Vince Carter and the #7 of Jose Calderon, honoring their contributions to the organization's history.

Players

The current roster features All-Star Pascal Siakam and rising talent like Scottie Barnes, the Rookie of the Year in 2022. Historically, the team has been defined by iconic figures such as Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, and DeMar DeRozan, whose tenure was marked by multiple All-Star appearances. The championship core was led by Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry, supported by key contributors like Fred VanVleet and Marc Gasol. Notable international players have included Jose Calderon from Spain and Andrea Bargnani from Italy, the first European player selected first overall in the NBA draft. The team's G League affiliate, Raptors 905, based in Mississauga, has been instrumental in player development.

Home arenas

The team initially played at the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) from 1995 to 1999. In 1999, they moved to the Scotiabank Arena, originally known as the Air Canada Centre, a state-of-the-art facility they share with the Toronto Maple Leafs. This arena, located in the city's downtown Entertainment District, has hosted numerous major events including the NBA All-Star Game in 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic, due to border restrictions, the team was temporarily relocated to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida for the 2020–21 NBA season.

Culture and fan base

The team boasts a passionate and diverse fan base known as "Raptors Nation," with supporters across Canada and a strong following in the Greater Toronto Area. The official mascot is the The Raptor, and the team's anthem, "Jurassic Park," refers to the massive outdoor fan zone outside Scotiabank Arena during playoff runs. The "We The North" marketing campaign, launched in 2014, became a powerful national slogan. The team's global appeal is amplified by its international players and its status as Canada's sole NBA representative since the relocation of the Vancouver Grizzlies to Memphis.

Management and ownership

The franchise is owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, a conglomerate that also owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. The current President of Basketball Operations is Masai Ujiri, with Bobby Webster serving as General Manager. The head coach is Darko Rajaković. Key figures in the team's executive history include Isiah Thomas, who served as an early General Manager, and Bryan Colangelo, who was instrumental in shaping the team in the 2000s. The board of MLSE includes representatives from major shareholders like Rogers Communications and Bell Canada.

Category:Toronto Raptors Category:National Basketball Association teams Category:Sport in Toronto Category:1995 establishments in Ontario