History of the Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1995, becoming the league's first team based in Canada since the departure of the Vancouver Grizzlies in 2001 and one of the NBA's first modern international franchises. Although the Raptors struggled during their early years, they developed into one of the Eastern Conference's premier organizations. The franchise reached its greatest achievement in 2019, capturing its first NBA Championship behind Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Along the way, stars such as Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and Pascal Siakam helped transform basketball in Canada.

NBA Returns to Canada

In 1993, the NBA announced expansion into Canada by awarding franchises to Toronto and Vancouver. The Raptors began play during the 1995–96 season.

The team's nickname was selected through a nationwide fan vote during the height of the popularity of the movie Jurassic Park, making the "Raptors" one of the NBA's most recognizable identities.

Toronto played its inaugural seasons at the SkyDome before moving into the new Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena) in 1999.

The Damon Stoudamire Years

The Raptors selected Damon Stoudamire with the seventh overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft.

Stoudamire averaged 19.0 points and 9.3 assists per game, earning the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Although Toronto remained a rebuilding team, Stoudamire gave the franchise its first star and helped establish professional basketball in Canada.

The Arrival of Vince Carter

The franchise's popularity exploded after acquiring Vince Carter in a draft-day trade with the Golden State Warriors in 1998.

Carter won the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year Award and quickly became one of basketball's biggest stars thanks to his spectacular athleticism and highlight-reel dunks.

His legendary performance during the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest remains one of the greatest in league history.

Joined by his cousin Tracy McGrady for one season, Carter helped make Toronto one of the NBA's fastest-growing franchises.

First Playoff Success

The Raptors reached the playoffs for the first time in 2000.

The following season, Toronto won its first playoff series by defeating the New York Knicks before narrowly losing a memorable seven-game Eastern Conference Semifinal series to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Game 7 ended when Vince Carter's potential game-winning jumper narrowly missed at the buzzer.

The Chris Bosh Era

Following Carter's departure in 2004, the Raptors rebuilt around Chris Bosh, selected fourth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

Bosh became one of the NBA's premier power forwards and led Toronto to division titles in 2007 and 2008.

Despite regular-season success, the Raptors struggled to advance deep into the playoffs.

Bosh left in 2010 to join the Miami Heat, ending another era in franchise history.

The Lowry and DeRozan Era

The arrival of Kyle Lowry and the emergence of DeMar DeRozan transformed Toronto into one of the Eastern Conference's most consistent contenders.

Under head coach Dwane Casey, the Raptors won multiple Atlantic Division titles and reached the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Although successful during the regular season, repeated playoff losses prompted the organization to make a bold move.

The Kawhi Leonard Championship Season

In the summer of 2018, Toronto traded franchise icon DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard.

The move proved historic.

Led by Leonard, Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet, and Serge Ibaka, the Raptors enjoyed the greatest season in franchise history.

Leonard hit one of the most famous shots in NBA history—a Game 7 buzzer-beater against Philadelphia—to send Toronto to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Raptors then defeated the Milwaukee Bucks before beating the defending champion Golden State Warriors in six games to win the 2019 NBA Championship.

Kawhi Leonard was named NBA Finals MVP.

The Modern Raptors

Although Leonard departed after the championship season, Toronto remained competitive under head coach Nick Nurse.

The franchise continued developing young talent led by:

• Pascal Siakam
• Fred VanVleet
• Scottie Barnes
• OG Anunoby

Scottie Barnes won the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, giving fans optimism for the future.

The Raptors continue rebuilding around a talented young core while maintaining one of the NBA's strongest international fan bases.

Home Arenas

Franchise Timeline

Franchise Greats

• Kyle Lowry
• Vince Carter
• Chris Bosh
• DeMar DeRozan
• Kawhi Leonard
• Pascal Siakam
• Fred VanVleet
• Scottie Barnes
• Damon Stoudamire
• José Calderón
• Antonio Davis
• Marc Gasol
• Serge Ibaka
• OG Anunoby

Notable Coaches

• Nick Nurse
• Dwane Casey
• Sam Mitchell
• Lenny Wilkens

Awards and Achievements

• 2019 NBA Champions
• 1 NBA Finals appearance (2019)
• Kawhi Leonard – 2019 NBA Finals MVP.
• Damon Stoudamire – 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year.
• Vince Carter – 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year.
• Scottie Barnes – 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year.
• Multiple Atlantic Division championships.

Legacy

The Toronto Raptors have grown from an expansion franchise into one of the NBA's premier organizations. Their 2019 championship not only delivered Canada's first NBA title but also demonstrated that an international franchise could reach the pinnacle of professional basketball.

From Vince Carter's electrifying dunks to Kyle Lowry's leadership and Kawhi Leonard's unforgettable playoff run, the Raptors have produced countless memorable moments while helping basketball flourish throughout Canada. With a talented young core and passionate nationwide fan base, the franchise continues to build upon its championship legacy.