Table of Contents
Toronto Raptors
Born in the Dino Era
The Toronto Raptors were founded in 1995 as part of the NBA's expansion into Canada.1)
Name That Dino
The name “Raptors” was inspired by the popularity of Jurassic Park, released just two years earlier in 1993.2)
Only Canadian Survivor
After the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, the Raptors became the only Canadian team in the NBA.3)
First Draft Pick Ever
The Raptors' first-ever draft pick was Damon Stoudamire, selected 7th overall in 1995.4)
Damon's Debut
Damon Stoudamire won the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996—Toronto’s first major award.5)
SkyDome Starts
The Raptors played their early home games at the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre), a stadium shared with the Toronto Blue Jays.6)
Home Sweet Scotiabank
Their current home is the Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, since 1999.7)
Vinsanity Begins
Vince Carter became a global phenomenon and dunking icon in the early 2000s, earning the nickname “Air Canada.”8)
Slam Dunk Royalty
Vince Carter’s 2000 Slam Dunk Contest performance is often considered the best in NBA history.9)
Drake the Global Ambassador
In 2013, rapper Drake was named the team’s Global Ambassador, increasing the Raptors' international profile.10)
First Playoff Appearance
The Raptors made their first NBA Playoffs appearance in 2000.11)
First Playoff Series Win
They won their first playoff series in 2001 against the New York Knicks.12)
We The North
The iconic “We The North” campaign launched in 2014 and became one of the most successful marketing slogans in sports.13)
Best Regular Season
The 2017–18 Raptors had their best regular season record: 59–23.14)
The Kawhi Year
In 2018–19, Kawhi Leonard was traded to Toronto and led the team to its first NBA championship.15)
The Shot Heard Around Canada
Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater in Game 7 vs. the Sixers (2019) was the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history.16)
First NBA Title
The Raptors won the NBA Championship in 2019, defeating the Golden State Warriors in 6 games.17)
Finals MVP
Kawhi Leonard was named 2019 NBA Finals MVP for his heroic performance.18)
International Fans
Toronto has one of the largest global fanbases due to its diverse population and Canada's national support.19)
"Jurassic Park" Fan Zone
Fans gather outside Scotiabank Arena in a designated area called Jurassic Park to watch games together.20)
Multicultural Roster
The Raptors are known for having one of the most internationally diverse rosters in the NBA.21)
Ujiri the Architect
Team President Masai Ujiri is widely credited with building Toronto into a championship team.22)
G-League Success
The Raptors 905 (their G-League affiliate) won the G-League Championship in 2017.23)
Pascal’s Rise
Pascal Siakam, a late first-round pick, won Most Improved Player in 2019 and became an All-Star.24)
Coach of the Year
Nick Nurse won NBA Coach of the Year in 2020.25)
Canadian Talent
Toronto has been instrumental in inspiring a boom in Canadian basketball talent, including NBA stars like Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.26)
Historic Comeback
In 2016, the Raptors reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.27)
Rivalry with the Nets
The Raptors and Brooklyn Nets have developed a low-key rivalry, meeting in multiple intense playoff matchups.28)
COVID Relocation
During the 2020–21 season, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Raptors played home games in Tampa, Florida.29)
Fred VanVleet’s Record
Fred VanVleet scored a franchise-record 54 points in a game against the Orlando Magic in 2021.30)
Canadian Captain
In 2022, Chris Boucher became one of the few Canadians to play a major role on the team.31)
NBA’s First African President
Masai Ujiri was the first African-born executive to become president of an NBA team.32)
Maple Leaf Makeover
The Raptors’ “City Edition” jerseys often feature nods to Canada—like gold OVO themes or “North” across the chest.33)
OVO Collaboration
Drake’s OVO brand has designed special jerseys and collaborated on merchandise with the team.34)
Defensive Dominance
Toronto was one of the top defensive teams during their 2019 championship run.35)
Undrafted Gem
Fred VanVleet went from undrafted to NBA All-Star in 2022—an inspirational story for many.36)
Basketball Without Borders
Masai Ujiri is the founder of Giants of Africa, a program that develops basketball talent in Africa.37)
Retired Numbers
The Raptors have yet to officially retire any jersey numbers, but Vince Carter’s No. 15 is widely expected to be first.38)
Inaugural Game
Toronto won their first ever NBA game, defeating the New Jersey Nets on November 3, 1995.39)
Record Attendance
Toronto has one of the highest average attendances in the NBA, regularly filling Scotiabank Arena.40)
Unique Mascot
The Raptors' mascot, simply named The Raptor, is one of the most beloved and entertaining in the league.41)
First All-Star Game Host
Toronto hosted its first NBA All-Star Weekend in 2016—the first time it was held outside the U.S.42)
Drake’s Courtside Presence
Drake is often seen courtside and has even received warnings from the NBA for his animated antics.43)
Team Colors
The original team colors were purple, red, black, and silver—they’ve since shifted toward black and gold in OVO-themed branding.44)
Still Evolving
Despite being one of the newer NBA franchises, the Raptors have already built a legacy of excellence, resilience, and global reach.45)