The Toronto Raptors were founded in 1995 as part of the NBA's expansion into Canada.1)
The name “Raptors” was inspired by the popularity of Jurassic Park, released just two years earlier in 1993.2)
After the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, the Raptors became the only Canadian team in the NBA.3)
The Raptors' first-ever draft pick was Damon Stoudamire, selected 7th overall in 1995.4)
Damon Stoudamire won the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996—Toronto’s first major award.5)
The Raptors played their early home games at the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre), a stadium shared with the Toronto Blue Jays.6)
Their current home is the Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, since 1999.7)
Vince Carter became a global phenomenon and dunking icon in the early 2000s, earning the nickname “Air Canada.”8)
Vince Carter’s 2000 Slam Dunk Contest performance is often considered the best in NBA history.9)
In 2013, rapper Drake was named the team’s Global Ambassador, increasing the Raptors' international profile.10)
The Raptors made their first NBA Playoffs appearance in 2000.11)
They won their first playoff series in 2001 against the New York Knicks.12)
The iconic “We The North” campaign launched in 2014 and became one of the most successful marketing slogans in sports.13)
The 2017–18 Raptors had their best regular season record: 59–23.14)
In 2018–19, Kawhi Leonard was traded to Toronto and led the team to its first NBA championship.15)
Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater in Game 7 vs. the Sixers (2019) was the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history.16)
The Raptors won the NBA Championship in 2019, defeating the Golden State Warriors in 6 games.17)
Kawhi Leonard was named 2019 NBA Finals MVP for his heroic performance.18)
Toronto has one of the largest global fanbases due to its diverse population and Canada's national support.19)
Fans gather outside Scotiabank Arena in a designated area called Jurassic Park to watch games together.20)
The Raptors are known for having one of the most internationally diverse rosters in the NBA.21)
Team President Masai Ujiri is widely credited with building Toronto into a championship team.22)
The Raptors 905 (their G-League affiliate) won the G-League Championship in 2017.23)
Pascal Siakam, a late first-round pick, won Most Improved Player in 2019 and became an All-Star.24)
Nick Nurse won NBA Coach of the Year in 2020.25)
Toronto has been instrumental in inspiring a boom in Canadian basketball talent, including NBA stars like Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.26)
In 2016, the Raptors reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.27)
The Raptors and Brooklyn Nets have developed a low-key rivalry, meeting in multiple intense playoff matchups.28)
During the 2020–21 season, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Raptors played home games in Tampa, Florida.29)
Fred VanVleet scored a franchise-record 54 points in a game against the Orlando Magic in 2021.30)
In 2022, Chris Boucher became one of the few Canadians to play a major role on the team.31)
Masai Ujiri was the first African-born executive to become president of an NBA team.32)
The Raptors’ “City Edition” jerseys often feature nods to Canada—like gold OVO themes or “North” across the chest.33)
Drake’s OVO brand has designed special jerseys and collaborated on merchandise with the team.34)
Toronto was one of the top defensive teams during their 2019 championship run.35)
Fred VanVleet went from undrafted to NBA All-Star in 2022—an inspirational story for many.36)
Masai Ujiri is the founder of Giants of Africa, a program that develops basketball talent in Africa.37)
The Raptors have yet to officially retire any jersey numbers, but Vince Carter’s No. 15 is widely expected to be first.38)
Toronto won their first ever NBA game, defeating the New Jersey Nets on November 3, 1995.39)
Toronto has one of the highest average attendances in the NBA, regularly filling Scotiabank Arena.40)
The Raptors' mascot, simply named The Raptor, is one of the most beloved and entertaining in the league.41)
Toronto hosted its first NBA All-Star Weekend in 2016—the first time it was held outside the U.S.42)
Drake is often seen courtside and has even received warnings from the NBA for his animated antics.43)
The original team colors were purple, red, black, and silver—they’ve since shifted toward black and gold in OVO-themed branding.44)
Despite being one of the newer NBA franchises, the Raptors have already built a legacy of excellence, resilience, and global reach.45)