Toronto Raptors
In 1946, the Toronto Raptors competed against the New York Knickerbockers in the first game in NBA history. At the time, the NBA was known as the American Basketball Association; the Raptors were known as the Toronto Huskies. The Huskies folded shortly thereafter. But the franchise reemerged in 1993 when NBA Commissioner David Stern's recommendation for a Toronto expansion team was approved.
Toronto team management chose “Raptors” from 11 team names submitted by NBA fans. Isiah Thomas, the franchise's first general manager, helped create the roster via the NBA's 1995 expansion draft. After the Raptors endured several years of poor seasons, draft-day acquisition Vince Carter guided the team to its first playoff series in 2001. Chris Bosh led the team for several seasons of success in the post-Carter years.
After Bosh's departure to Miami, Toronto experienced a slump that only ended when DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry arrived, helping Toronto earn five Division titles. Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Marc Gasol joined the team — sans DeRozan — in 2018. The Raptors won their first NBA championship in 2019, the finale of a successful season that also included Toronto's first Eastern Conference title.
- Founded: 1995
- Championships: 1 championship (2019)
- Additional achievements: 1 conference title (2019) and seven division titles (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Arena: Scotiabank Arena
- Former team name: Toronto Huskies
Featured Articles:
Kawhi Leonard Reveals an Unexpected Reason Why He Couldn’t Stay With the Raptors
Kyle Lowry Once Found Himself Facing a Battery Charge After Things Got Heated During a Pickup Game
Visit the Toronto Raptors at NBA.com.
Read the latest articles about the Toronto Raptors:
In Vince Carter's amazing career he has set many records along the way. What will history show as Carter's most impressive record?
In a recent Instagram conversation, DeMar DeRozan revealed that Kobe Bryant was once legitimately mad at him for wearing the wrong shoes.
The Toronto Raptors have been in the spotlight since winning their first NBA Championship in 2019. Who owns this succesful team?
Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has established himself as one of basketball's brightest minds. His talents, however, extend off the court.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching, will the Toronto Raptors be buyers or sellers? Masai Ujiri has a big decision to make.
In a matter of years, Pascal Siakam has blossomed into an NBA star. Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri shared the forward's key to success.
Masai Ujiri is a hot name in the NBA, especially for a woebegone Knicks franchise, but we don't see him leaving the Raptors anytime soon.
The Toronto Raptors have gotten off to a hot start this season, but head coach Nick Nurse isn't interested in his team's efficiency ratings.
Pascal Siakam has developed into a NBA star with the Toronto Raptors. One change appears to be the driving force behind his meteoric rise.
The Toronto Raptors are already playing without Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka. Now OG Anunoby is joining them on the sidelines.
