Toronto Raptors facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Toronto Raptors
Conference	Eastern
Division	Atlantic
Founded	1995
History	Toronto Raptors 1995–present
Arena	Scotiabank Arena
Location	Toronto, Ontario
Team colours	Red, black, purple, gold, white
Main sponsor	Sun Life Financial
President	Masai Ujiri
General manager	Bobby Webster
Head coach	Darko Rajaković
Ownership	Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Affiliation(s)	Raptors 905
Championships	1 (2019)
Conference titles	1 (2019)
Division titles	7 (2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Retired numbers	1 (15)
Association Icon Statement City

The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team from Toronto, Canada. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Raptors are part of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. Their home games are played at Scotiabank Arena, which they share with the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.

The team started in 1995 as one of two new Canadian NBA teams. The other team was the Vancouver Grizzlies. Since the 2001–02 season, the Raptors have been the only Canadian team in the league. The Grizzlies moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

Like most new teams, the Raptors had a tough start. But after getting Vince Carter in 1998, they became very popular. They even set attendance records. The team made the NBA playoffs in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Carter helped them win their first playoff series in 2001. They reached the Eastern Conference semifinals that year.

After Carter left in 2004, Chris Bosh became the team's main star. In 2006, Bryan Colangelo became the general manager. With Bosh and new players like Andrea Bargnani, the Raptors made the playoffs again in 2007. They also won their first Atlantic Division title. They made the playoffs in 2008 but then missed them for five seasons.

Masai Ujiri took over in 2013, bringing new success. Stars like DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry led the team. The Raptors returned to the playoffs in 2014 and became a strong playoff team. Under Ujiri, they won five Division titles. They also had their best regular season ever in 2018.

Even with success, they couldn't reach the NBA Finals. So, Ujiri made big changes. He traded DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green in 2018. They also got Marc Gasol. Pascal Siakam also became a star, winning the Most Improved Player award. In the 2019 playoffs, the Raptors won their first Eastern Conference title. They then reached their first NBA Finals and won their first NBA championship!

After winning the championship, Kawhi Leonard left the team. Kyle Lowry also left in 2021. Pascal Siakam became the team's leader until 2024. Now, Scottie Barnes is seen as the new face of the Raptors.

Team History

Early Basketball in Toronto

On November 1, 1946, the Toronto Huskies played the New York Knickerbockers in Toronto. This was the very first game in NBA history. However, the Huskies team stopped playing after just one season. Toronto didn't have another NBA game until the 1970s. The Buffalo Braves played some games at Maple Leaf Gardens from 1971 to 1975.

By the late 1980s, people wanted an NBA team in Toronto again. The NBA commissioner, David Stern, thought Toronto was a good choice. Two exhibition games in 1989 and 1992 drew over 25,000 fans each. These games were held at the new SkyDome.

The NBA started to seriously think about a Toronto team. Several groups wanted to own the team. On September 30, 1993, a group called Professional Basketball Franchise (Canada) Inc. (PBF) was chosen.

How the Raptors Were Created

The team officially started on November 4, 1993. The NBA gave the 28th team to a group led by Toronto businessman John Bitove. They paid a record $125 million for the team. There was a rule against gambling on NBA games in Ontario. But an agreement was made to allow the team. The Raptors played their first game on November 3, 1995. The Vancouver Grizzlies also started that same day.

Naming the Team

Many people wanted to bring back the "Huskies" name. But the team decided against it. They thought the logo would look too much like the Minnesota Timberwolves. So, they held a contest across Canada to name the team.

Over 2,000 ideas were sent in. Eleven names were considered, including Dragons, Grizzlies, and Raptors. The name "Toronto Raptors" was announced on May 15, 1994. This name was chosen because of the popular 1993 movie Jurassic Park. The movie featured a dinosaur called a Velociraptor.

On May 24, 1994, the team's logo and first general manager, Isiah Thomas, were shown. The team's colors were bright red, purple, black, and silver. The silver color was named "Naismith" silver. This honored James Naismith, a Canadian who invented basketball. Even before their first game, Raptors merchandise was very popular.

1995–1999: Early Challenges

As general manager, Isiah Thomas hired Brendan Malone as the first head coach. The team got its players through an expansion draft. Toronto picked first and chose B. J. Armstrong. But Armstrong didn't want to play for the Raptors. So, Thomas traded him for Carlos Rogers and Victor Alexander.

The Raptors also picked Damon Stoudamire as their seventh pick in the draft. Fans at the SkyDome booed this choice. They wanted a different player.

In their first NBA game, the Raptors beat the New Jersey Nets 94–79. Alvin Robertson scored the first points for the Raptors. Stoudamire had 10 points and 10 assists. The Raptors finished their first season with 21 wins and 61 losses. Stoudamire won the Rookie of the Year Award.

In 1996, John Bitove sold his share of the team to Allan Slaight. In their second season, the Raptors won 30 games and lost 52. They drafted Marcus Camby with the second pick. Stoudamire continued to play well.

In the 1997–98 season, the team had many injuries. They lost 17 games in a row. Isiah Thomas resigned and was replaced by Glen Grunwald. Stoudamire then asked to be traded. He was sent to the Portland Trail Blazers in February 1998. The Raptors became the youngest team in the league. They had five rookies, including 18-year-old Tracy McGrady. The team finished with only 16 wins and 66 losses.

In 1998, Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. bought the Raptors. This company later became Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). During the 1998 NBA draft, Grunwald traded for Vince Carter. Carter was picked fifth overall. To make the team stronger, Grunwald also traded for veteran player Charles Oakley. New coach Butch Carter helped the team improve. Carter and McGrady played very well.

1999–2002: The Vince Carter Era

In 1999, the Raptors traded for Antonio Davis. Davis became an All-Star player. With Carter and McGrady improving, the team made its first playoff appearance. They lost 3–0 to the New York Knicks. But Carter's exciting play, including winning the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, attracted many new fans. The team also moved to the Scotiabank Arena (then called Air Canada Centre). They finished the season with 45 wins and 37 losses.

Before the 2000–01 season, Grunwald hired Lenny Wilkens as the new coach. Wilkens was a Hall of Fame coach. Tracy McGrady left the Raptors to join the Orlando Magic.

The team made the 2001 NBA playoffs with a record 47 wins. The Raptors won their first-ever playoff series, beating the New York Knicks 3–2. They advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals. They played against the Philadelphia 76ers. The series was very close and went to Game 7. Carter missed a shot at the end of Game 7 that could have won the series. Many people criticized Carter for attending his graduation ceremony on the morning of Game 7. Despite the loss, this season was a big success for the team.

In 2001, the Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis. This made Toronto the only Canadian NBA team. The Raptors signed veteran center Hakeem Olajuwon. The team started the 2001–02 season well. But Carter got injured and missed the rest of the season. Without him, the team lost 13 games in a row. However, they won 12 of their last 14 games to make the 2002 NBA playoffs.

In the playoffs, they faced the Detroit Pistons. Toronto lost the first two games. But they won the next two at home. Game 5 was very close. The Raptors lost, ending their playoff run.

2002–2006: Tough Times Again

The 2002–03 season started with hope, but it quickly faded. Carter was injured again. The team had many injuries, losing a record number of player games. Coach Wilkens was criticized and later fired. The Raptors finished with 24 wins and 58 losses. However, they got the fourth pick in the 2003 NBA draft. They used it to draft Chris Bosh, who became another star for Toronto.

For the 2003–04 season, the Raptors got new red uniforms. They traded for Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall. The team was 25–25 at one point. But injuries to key players like Rose, Carter, and Alvin Williams caused them to lose many games. They missed the playoffs.

In 2004, the team moved to the Atlantic Division. General manager Glen Grunwald and coach Kevin O'Neill were fired. Rob Babcock became the new general manager. Sam Mitchell was hired as the new head coach.

Babcock's first big move was drafting Rafael Araújo. This pick was criticized by fans. Vince Carter was traded to the New Jersey Nets mid-season. This ended his time with the Raptors. Many thought the Raptors got a bad deal in the trade.

Carter's departure meant a new era for Toronto. Bosh became the team's main player. He played very well in his second year. But Araújo struggled. The team finished with 33 wins and 49 losses.

In the 2005 NBA draft, the Raptors picked Charlie Villanueva. They also signed Mike James and José Calderón. The 2005–06 season was disappointing. They lost their first nine games. On January 15, 2006, the Raptors scored a franchise record 129 points against the Knicks. But less than a week later, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against them. This was the second-highest score in NBA history. General manager Rob Babcock was fired.

However, the season wasn't all bad. Villanueva played well and was second for Rookie of the Year. Bosh was chosen for the All-Star Team. On February 27, 2006, Bryan Colangelo became the new president and general manager. He was known for turning around the Phoenix Suns. This gave fans new hope. The Raptors finished with 27 wins and 55 losses.

2006–2010: The Chris Bosh Era

The 2006–07 season was a big turning point. The team made many changes. They drafted Andrea Bargnani as the number one pick. They also got T. J. Ford and signed Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa. Bosh signed a new contract.

The team improved a lot. Bargnani played better. Toronto finished the regular season with 47 wins and 35 losses. They won the Atlantic Division title and got home-court advantage in the playoffs. Bosh was voted to start in the All-Star Game. The team was praised for its better defense and teamwork. Coach Mitchell was named the NBA Coach of the Year. Colangelo was named Executive of the Year.

On April 24, 2007, the Raptors won their first playoff game in five seasons. They beat the New Jersey Nets. But they lost the series 4–2. This series was special because Vince Carter played against his old team.

Before the 2007–08 season, the Raptors added Carlos Delfino and Jason Kapono. But injuries to Garbajosa, Bosh, and Ford hurt the team. Bargnani also struggled to play consistently well.

The Raptors finished with 41 wins and 41 losses. This was enough for a playoff spot. They played against the Orlando Magic. The Magic won the series 4–1. The Raptors' weaknesses, like rebounding and defense, were clear. Changes were expected.

Before the 2008–09 season, the Raptors traded for Jermaine O'Neal. This was a big move to improve their frontcourt. Bargnani also improved a lot. But the team was still inconsistent. Coach Mitchell was fired and replaced by Jay Triano. O'Neal was later traded to Miami. The Raptors missed the playoffs, finishing with 33 wins and 49 losses.

For the 2009–10 season, the Raptors drafted DeMar DeRozan. They also signed Hedo Türkoğlu. The team wanted to build a strong group to convince Bosh to stay. The Raptors started slowly but improved. Bosh was having a great season. But a season-ending injury to Bosh caused the team to fall in the standings. They missed the playoffs again.

2010–2013: Rebuilding the Team

Before the 2010–11 season, Chris Bosh decided to leave. He joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in Miami. The Raptors received two draft picks in return. Toronto drafted Ed Davis. Without Bosh, the team struggled. They won only 22 games.

Dwane Casey was hired as the new head coach before the 2011–12 season. The Raptors drafted Jonas Valančiūnas, a center from Lithuania. The season was shorter due to an NBA lockout. The Raptors finished with 23 wins and 43 losses. In 2012, the Raptors traded for point guard Kyle Lowry from the Houston Rockets. Lowry, Valančiūnas, and Terrence Ross were part of the team's new rebuilding plan. In 2013, the Raptors traded for star player Rudy Gay. The team finished the 2012–13 season with 34 wins and 48 losses.

2013–2018: The DeRozan and Lowry Era

In 2013, Masai Ujiri became the new general manager. He made some trades to improve the team. On December 9, 2013, the Raptors traded Rudy Gay. This trade helped the team a lot.

During the 2013–14 season, the Raptors started winning more games. They won 10 of their next 13 games after the Gay trade. DeRozan was chosen to play in the All-Star game. On March 28, 2014, the Raptors made the 2014 NBA playoffs for the first time since 2008. They also won the Atlantic Division title. They finished the season with a franchise-high 48 wins. The Raptors faced the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs. The series went to seven games. The Raptors lost in the final seconds of Game 7.

The 2014–15 season was the Raptors' best start ever. They had a 24–8 record by the end of 2014. They won the Atlantic Division title for the second year in a row. They also broke their franchise record with 49 wins. Louis Williams won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, the first Raptor to do so. In the 2015 playoffs, the Raptors lost to the Washington Wizards in four straight games.

In 2015, the Raptors drafted Delon Wright and Norman Powell. They also started a new minor league team called Raptors 905. The Raptors added DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph, Bismack Biyombo, and Luis Scola.

The Raptors opened a new practice facility in 2016. They also hosted the 2016 NBA All-Star Game for the first time. On March 30, 2016, the Raptors won 50 games for the first time ever. They won the Atlantic Division title for the third year in a row. Their 56–26 record was the best regular season in Raptors history. In the 2016 playoffs, the Raptors won their first playoff series in 15 years. They beat the Indiana Pacers in seven games. They then beat the Miami Heat in another seven-game series. The Raptors reached the NBA Conference Finals for the first time. They lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–2.

In 2017, the Raptors traded for Serge Ibaka and PJ Tucker. In the 2017 NBA playoffs, they beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. But they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers again in the second round, 4–0.

On January 1, 2018, DeMar DeRozan scored a franchise-record 52 points. This helped the Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks. On March 7, 2018, Toronto was the first team to make the playoffs in the 2017–18 season. On April 6, 2018, the Raptors became the Eastern Conference regular season champions. This was their first time getting the number one seed. They set new records with 59 wins and 33 home wins.

In the 2018 NBA playoffs, the Raptors beat the Washington Wizards. But they were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. This was disappointing for a number one seed. Coach Casey was fired and Nick Nurse became the new head coach.

2018–2019: Championship Season

Toronto made two big changes for the 2018–19 season. First, they traded DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Leonard was a two-time All-Star. Second, they traded for Marc Gasol. They also signed Jeremy Lin. The Raptors started the season with a franchise-record 6–0. They also had their best start through 20 games with a 16–4 record.

Even though Leonard rested for many games, the Raptors finished second in the East. They beat the Orlando Magic in five games in the first round of the 2019 playoffs. In the next round, they beat the Philadelphia 76ers in a very close seven-game series. Leonard made a game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 7. This was the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA playoff history.

They then faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. After losing the first two games, Toronto won the next four. They advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time ever! Their opponents were the two-time defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors were favored to win. But the Raptors won their first championship, beating the Warriors 4–2. Leonard was named Finals MVP. The Raptors became the first non-American team to win the NBA title. They were also the first Canadian team to win a championship in any major North American sport since 1993.

2019–2021: Pandemic Seasons

Kawhi Leonard left the Raptors after one season. But the Raptors still won 53 games in the 2019–20 season. This season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. They finished second in the league. Coach Nurse was named Coach of the Year. Pascal Siakam made his first All-NBA Second Team. Kyle Lowry made his sixth All-Star selection. In the playoffs, the Raptors swept the Brooklyn Nets. They then played the Boston Celtics. The series went to seven games, and Boston won.

Due to travel rules during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Raptors played their home games in Tampa, Florida for the 2020–21 season. Many players and coaches missed games due to health protocols. The Raptors struggled and missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years. In the 2021 NBA draft, the Raptors picked Scottie Barnes fourth overall.

2021–2024: The Pascal Siakam Era

Before the 2021–22 season, Kyle Lowry was traded to the Miami Heat. The Raptors got Goran Dragić and Precious Achiuwa. In September 2021, the Raptors returned to Scotiabank Arena. Fans needed proof of vaccination to attend games. Despite many injuries, the Raptors won 48 games and made the 2022 NBA playoffs. They lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the first round. Siakam was named to his second All-NBA Team. Scottie Barnes was named the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year.

On December 30, 2023, the Raptors traded OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks. They received RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

2024–Present: The Scottie Barnes Era

On January 17, 2024, the Raptors traded Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers. They received Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, Kira Lewis Jr., and three first-round draft picks. Injuries to Scottie Barnes and other players caused the Raptors to struggle for the rest of the year. They finished last in their division. Despite his injury, Scottie Barnes played in the All-Star Game.

Season-by-Season Records

Here are the results for the last five seasons. For all seasons, see List of Toronto Raptors seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Season	GP	W	L	W–L%	Finish	Playoffs
2019–20	72	53	19	.736	1st, Atlantic	Lost in Conference Semifinals, 3–4 (Celtics)
2020–21	72	27	45	.375	5th, Atlantic	Did not qualify
2021–22	82	48	34	.585	3rd, Atlantic	Lost in First Round, 2–4 (76ers)
2022–23	82	41	41	.500	5th, Atlantic	Did not qualify
2023–24	82	25	57	.305	5th, Atlantic	Did not qualify

Logos and Uniforms

Team Logos

The Raptors' first logo was inspired by the Jurassic Park movie. It showed an angry-looking red Velociraptor dinosaur dribbling a basketball. The team's first colors were purple, bright red, black, and "Naismith silver." This logo was very popular.

For the 2008–09 season, the team removed purple from their logo. Bright red became the main color. On December 19, 2014, the Raptors showed a new main logo. It is a circular shield with a basketball that looks like it's been torn by a raptor.

Court Designs

The Toronto Raptors have used different court designs over the years. For special "Huskies Nights," they use the old Toronto Huskies logo. Since 2018, they sometimes use the "Welcome Toronto" logo. This logo has strong ties to Toronto rapper Drake. The name and logo of Tangerine Bank are also on the court.

Team Uniforms

Uniform History

The Raptors' first uniforms (1995–1999) had black and white pinstripes. They also had a raptor claw on the shorts. A large red Velociraptor dribbling a basketball was in the middle of the jersey. In 1999, they introduced a unique road jersey that was purple in the front and black in the back. In 2003, a solid red jersey was added. This red jersey became the main road jersey in 2006 when purple was removed from the team's colors. From 2008 to 2015, the Raptors also had black alternate road uniforms.

2015 Uniform Redesign

On August 3, 2015, the Raptors showed off four new uniforms. These uniforms were designed to honor Toronto and Canada. The main colors stayed red and white, which are Canada's national colors. Black and silver were used for trim. The new uniforms had chevrons (V-shapes) on the sides that pointed up. This matched the team's slogan, "We The North." An upside-down tag with "We The North" was also added to the bottom of the jersey. The shorts now feature a maple leaf logo. The letter "T" is on the sides of the shorts, referring to Toronto's nickname "T-Dot." The Raptors also have an alternate road uniform based on Drake's OVO Sound record label.

2017 Uniforms and Beyond

In 2017, the NBA partnered with Nike. Each team got four main uniforms called "editions." The Raptors made small changes to their home ("Association edition") and road ("Icon edition") uniforms. They also updated their alternate ("Statement edition") uniforms. New "City edition" uniforms were created to celebrate each team's city history. For the 2018–19 season, the Raptors also got "Earned edition" uniforms for making the playoffs. The 2021–22 "City edition" brought back the original Velociraptor logo, but in black and gold.

(2020−)

Association

Icon

Statement

Source: jerseymuseum.org

City editions (2017−)

2017−18

2018−19

2019−20

2020−21

2021−22

Source: jerseymuseum.org

Earned editions (2018−)

2018−19

2020−21

Source: jerseymuseum.org

Jersey Sponsors

Since the 2017–18 season, Sun Life Financial has been the team's jersey sponsor.

Special and Throwback Jerseys

On December 8, 2009, the Raptors wore blue-and-white throwback jerseys. These honored the Toronto Huskies, the first NBA team in Toronto. These "Huskies Nights" jerseys are still used for special games.

In the 2016–17 NBA season, the Raptors also had a Huskies-themed court. They also launched a special red Chinese New Year jersey. This jersey had "Toronto" written in Chinese characters. It also featured a Chinese dragon and the Raptors logo.

Other special jerseys include a green uniform for Saint Patrick's Day. They also wear a camouflage uniform for events with the Canadian Armed Forces. Drake has also designed "Welcome Toronto" jerseys, which are black with gold text.

Team Arenas

Arenas
Arena	Games played	Tenure
SkyDome	117	1995–1999
Maple Leaf Gardens	6
Copps Coliseum	3
Scotiabank Arena	710	1999–2020, 2021–present
Amalie Arena	37	2020–2021

• OVO Athletic Centre (Practice facility: 2016–present)

Team Personnel

Current Roster

Retired Numbers

All retired numbers are honored at Scotiabank Arena.

Toronto Raptors Retired Numbers
No.	Player	Position	Years with Team	Date Retired
15	Vince Carter	G/F	1998–2004	November 2, 2024

• The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all teams on August 11, 2022.

Basketball Hall of Famers

Toronto Raptors Hall of Famers
Players
No.	Name	Position	Years with Team	Inducted
34	Hakeem Olajuwon	C	2001–2002	2008
1	Tracy McGrady	G/F	1997–2000	2017
4	Chris Bosh	C/F	2003–2010	2021
3	Chauncey Billups	G	1998	2024
15	Vince Carter	G/F	1998–2004	2024
Coaches
Name		Position	Years with Team	Inducted
Lenny Wilkens1		Head coach	2000–2003	1998
Gene Keady		Assistant coach	2005–2006	2023
Contributors
Name		Position	Years with Team	Inducted
Wayne Embry		General manager	2006	1999

Notes:

• ¹ Wilkens was inducted into the Hall of Fame three times.

Team Management

General Managers

GM History
Name	Years
Isiah Thomas	1995–March 1998
Glen Grunwald	March 1998–April 2004
Jack McCloskey	April 2004–June 2004 (Interim)
Rob Babcock	June 2004–January 2006
Wayne Embry	January 2006–February 2006 (Interim)
Bryan Colangelo	February 2006–May 2013
Masai Ujiri	May 2013–September 2016
Jeff Weltman	September 2016–May 2017
Bobby Webster	June 2017–present

Presidents of Basketball Operations

Presidents of Basketball Operations History
President	Years
Richard Peddie	1999–February 2006
Bryan Colangelo	February 2006–May 2013
Masai Ujiri	May 2013–present

Owners

Ownership History
Owner	Years
John Bitove, Allan Slaight, Isiah Thomas	1995–1998
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment	1998–present

Head Coaches

Awards and Team Records

Since 1995, the Raptors have made the playoffs 13 times. They have advanced past the first round six times. The Raptors have won the Atlantic Division seven times. Their record for most wins in a regular season is 59 (in 2018). The Raptors reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice. They reached and won the NBA Finals once, in 2019.

Nine Raptors players have been chosen for the All-Star game. These include Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, and Scottie Barnes. Two Raptors coaches have also been All-Star coaches: Dwane Casey and Nick Nurse. In 2020, the Raptors had a 15-game winning streak. This was a record for any Canadian professional sports team.

Broadcasters

Raptors games are mostly shown on Canadian sports channels TSN and Sportsnet. The Raptors also run the Canadian version of NBA TV. This channel shows Raptors games and other NBA news.

Television

Radio

Fanbase and Marketing

The Raptors have always had a loyal fanbase. They set NBA attendance records in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Attendance grew even more after their success in 2006–07.

Since 2013–14, the Raptors' support has greatly increased. Fans started gathering at Maple Leaf Square to watch playoff games. They nicknamed it "Jurassic Park." The team supported this by setting up concession stands. Footage from the square is sometimes shown in the Raptors locker room. The Game 7 win against the Indiana Pacers in 2016 was the most-watched Raptors broadcast ever. This record was broken during their 2019 championship run.

The Raptors team has become much more valuable over the years. In 1998, it was bought for $125 million. By 2018, Forbes estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion.

The Raptor mascot, the North Side Crew, and DJ 4 Korners entertain fans at Scotiabank Arena. Sometimes, special shirts are given to fans. If the Raptors score over 100 points and win a home game, fans can get a free pizza slice. McDonald's Canada also offers free French fries if the Raptors make at least 12 three-pointers.

Partnership with Drake

"We The North" Campaign

In 2013, Toronto rapper Drake became the Raptors' "global ambassador." In April 2014, the Raptors launched a new campaign called "We The North." This campaign celebrated the team being from Canada, the "north side." It showed local basketball players and ended with a flag with the motto.

The "We The North" campaign was very popular with fans. The commercial was viewed over 500,000 times in two days. "We The North" shirts and flags became common at games.

In 2014, the Raptors also launched a new logo. It featured a basketball with claw marks. The new logo was officially used in the 2015–16 season.

Welcome Toronto Program

In 2018, Drake started the "Welcome Toronto" program with the Raptors. As part of this, the Raptors wore special "city edition" uniforms for some home games. These uniforms had a gold chevron with "NORTH" written on it. The home court was also black and gold for these games.

The Raptors and Drake's OVO group also promised to donate money. They would give $1 million to fix up local basketball courts. They would also give $2 million to Canada Basketball.

Community Service

The Raptors Foundation was the team's charity. It helped charities in Ontario that supported children and youth. The Foundation raised over $14 million between 1995 and 2007. In 2009, the Raptors Foundation joined with other charities from MLSE teams. They formed the MLSE Team Up Foundation.

In 2018, the Raptors and Drake announced the "Welcome Toronto" program. They will give $2 million to Canada Basketball over four years. They also plan to donate $1 million to fix four community basketball courts in Toronto. These courts are in different parts of the city.

Team Rivalries

The Toronto Raptors have rivalries with the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets.

New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets

The Nets and Raptors have been rivals since the trade of Vince Carter in 2004. The rivalry grew when they played each other in the 2007 NBA Playoffs. The Nets won that series 4–2.

The rivalry became strong again in the 2013–14 season. The Raptors and Nets fought for the Atlantic Division title. The Raptors won the division. But they faced the Nets in the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs. Before Game 1, Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri made a strong comment about the Nets. The NBA fined him for it. The series was very close and went to seven games. The Nets won 104–103 in the final seconds. The two teams met again in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. This time, the Raptors swept the Nets in four games.

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are also rivals with the Raptors. The Raptors made their first playoff appearance in the 1999–2000 season. They were swept by the Knicks 3–0. The next season, the Raptors beat the Knicks 3–2. This win ended the Knicks' long run as strong playoff contenders.

Images for kids

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  Toronto Raptors logo

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  Wordmark logo for the Raptors (2015–present)

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  SkyDome, known as Rogers Centre since 2005, was the original venue for Raptors home games from 1995 to 1999.

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  The Raptors moved to Scotiabank Arena (then known as Air Canada Centre) in 1999.

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  Vince Carter, drafted fifth in the 1998 NBA draft, played his first six seasons in the NBA with the Raptors.

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  A game between the Raptors and the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2004–05 season. The Raptors were moved to the NBA's Atlantic Division prior to the start of that season.

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  After the trade of Vince Carter in 2004, Chris Bosh became the face of the Raptors franchise until 2010.

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  Jose Calderon with the Raptors during the 2005–06 season. The Raptors signed Calderon as a free agent in the 2005 off-season as a backup for Mike James.

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  Anthony Parker (No. 18) and Jorge Garbajosa (No. 15) with the Raptors during the 2006–07 season. Parker and Garbajosa were signed by the Raptors in the 2006 off-season.

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  Jorge Garbajosa during the 2007–08 season.

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  Chris Bosh during the 2007–08 season.

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  Kyle Lowry was acquired by the Raptors in a trade with the Houston Rockets during the 2012 off-season.

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  The Air Canada Centre during the 2014 first-round playoffs between the Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets.

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  Jonas Valančiūnas with the Raptors in the first round of the 2015 playoffs against the Washington Wizards.

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  On January 1, 2018, DeMar DeRozan scored a franchise-record 52 points against the Milwaukee Bucks.

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  Kawhi Leonard prepares to take a free throw during Game 2 of the 2019 Finals.

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  In the 2019–20 NBA season, Pascal Siakam was named as a starter in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game and a part of the All-NBA Second Team.

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  Scottie Barnes, selected fourth overall in the 2021 NBA draft, was named the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year and became the face of the franchise in 2024.

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  Championship banner for the 2019 NBA Finals, depicting the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

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  Matt Devlin and Jack Armstrong covering Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

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  The Raptor mascot, a red featherless Velociraptor wearing basketball shoes and a jersey numbered 95, after the last two digits of the year of the Raptors' establishment, rallying the crowd during a game.

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  Toronto-based hip-hop musician Drake stands courtside during the first round of the 2014 playoffs. Drake was named the "global ambassador" for the Raptors in September 2013.

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  Bryan Colangelo (right) at a Raptors game in 2009. He was the team's general manager and president of basketball operations from February 2006 to May 2013.