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[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors on Film: Tracking the captivating Ulrich Chomche

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors’ youngest player has an enticing ceiling and a developmental path worth taking note of.

The NBA’s annual Summer League in Las Vegas isn’t always about the fun overreactions on social media.

Somewhere in these games are compelling stories that foreshadow the future of basketball.

Several players stood out in the Toronto Raptors’ 116-72 win over the Chicago Bulls. But Raptors centre Ulrich Chomche might demand further attention, especially with the team’s lack of length beyond Jakob Poeltl.

Chomche finished with nine points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 19 minutes off the bench.

Let’s take a look at what the Raptors teenager did on opening night.

Defence​

As inexperienced as Chomche is, he’s always drawn interest from scouts due to his defensive potential. Chomche was visibly slow to track action last season. And while he still has a long way to go, there’s evidence of his improved processing speed.

In the first clip, Chomche switches onto the ball after it is inbounded. With Jonathan Mogbo’s help, Chomche hands off his man and switches into the pick-and-roll (PnR) action. He’s athletic enough to back peddle into drop coverage and has the reflexes to steal the bounce pass.

A similar switch happens in the second play, and Chomche shows off his hand-eye coordination. It’s a great display of his athleticism and balance, especially at six-foot-11.

Designed sets​

Mapping out play calls and sets during Summer League can be an adventure. It’s difficult to decipher what was properly executed or intentionally designed. But it’s worth highlighting two similar-looking sets that involved Chomche.

The first clip is designed to get A.J. Lawson the ball but it begins with a Jamison Battle ghost screen followed by a “half” ghost screen by Chomche. Lawson follows up with one of his own before getting the ball in motion on the right wing. Chomche looks like he’s about to set an off-ball pin down screen for Battle before pivoting into a right-wing PnR. With Lawson already going downhill, the Bulls have no choice but to respect the drive, which opens up a small window for Chomche to get the pass.

In the second clip, there’s a similar 1.5 ghost set-up but the Raptors don’t have an empty side to execute it. Instead, they run it to the bunched area with Ja’Kobe Walter and Lawson. The Bulls defence prepares for an off-ball screen with either Lawson or Alijah Martin. Instead, the Raptors use it as misdirection, Walter sneaks into the play and goes into a PnR with Jamal Shead. Shead rejects the screen, penetrates and dumps it off to Chomche for an easy bucket.

Room for growth​

Although Chomche is more involved this summer, he has plenty of room to improve. There are instances where it takes him a few seconds too long to assess what’s happening around him, especially when defences throw curveball adjustments.

A budding skill set​

Chomche is only one year and nine days older than this year’s No.1-pick Cooper Flagg, and just seven months older than the top centre prospect Khaman Maluach. His developmental path will be long and winding, but it’s encouraging to see the Raptors give him more responsibilities.

In the first clip, Chomche is the designated trigger man for the backdoor Walter cut. And in the second highlight, Chomche is put in a fun 45 PnR with bruiser Mogbo. The second-year Cameroonian has an inherent ability to make plays that most others can’t due to his measurements. It’ll be up to Chomche to string those moments together consistently.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/7/12/24466213/raptors-on-film-tracking-the-captivating-ulrich-chomche

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Toronto Raptors dominate in first Summer League matchup

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

The sophomores Shead, Mogbo, Battle, and Walter all stepped up to help create an insurmountable lead in the Raptors’ first game in Las Vegas

Stepping onto the court in Las Vegas for the first time in this year’s Summer League, the Raptors came to dominate. By the time the buzzer sounded, their advantage was 116-72. They put the Bulls away easily, showing aggression, energy and a sense of togetherness that will be fun to watch over the next week, and undoubtedly into next season.

Often the fact that some of the youngest players in the league are setting foot on the court means mistakes, throwaways, and airballs. The Raptors showed poise tonight despite their youth, largely due to the play of their sophomores. Both teams had a strong presence of prior NBA experience that helped right the ship, but it was Toronto’s who had a bigger impact.

.@UlrichChomche14 IN TRANSITION pic.twitter.com/pOFHhQdPFr

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 12, 2025​

For Chicago, their first round pick from last year, Matas Buzelis found ways to score and steady some of the play on the court. Two-way player Yuki Kawamura also played substantial minutes, playing tough defence and helping facilitate. Their strongest performer was former Raptor Javon Freeman-Liberty, who finished with 21 points to lead the bulls in scoring.

For the Raptors, last year’s rookies played phenomenally. Each one played to their strengths and showed off-season growth that is promising for next year. AJ Lawson, a player with almost 60 games of NBA experience is one of the most mature players here in Summer League, but seems to have no issue. His energy was tone-setting for the team, and allowed him to rack up 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in only 20 minutes.

AJ is on FIRE

Leads all scorers with 21 points pic.twitter.com/g444XPimJP

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 12, 2025​

While this game highlighted some of the sophomore players, the rookies weren’t on display as much. Chicago’s draft picks Noa Essengue and Lachlan Olbrich both struggled, scoring a combined 7 points. For Raptors fans, the disappointing scratch of Collin Murray-Boyles just before the game meant a delay in watching his debut, but second-rounder Alijah Martin played solid defence and scored 16 points. The highlight of the night for him was this poster that left an excellent first impression:

ALIJAH MARTIN ON YOUR HEADTOP https://t.co/thI5fgvhTL pic.twitter.com/EpUSWNMFHp

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 12, 2025​

Overall, it was a dominant game by the Raptors from start to finish and by virtually every measure. More rebounds, steals, assists, 3-pointers, and so on. About halfway through the final quarter, it was bench-clearing time, and the Raptors were able to find minutes for everyone available tonight. So, other than the fact that owned the Bulls tonight, we have three main takeaways from this game:

• Defence first. The aggression and effort on that end of the floor was stifling. The Bulls undoubtedly felt it from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Shead, Martin, Lawson, and Hepburn all stood out, but everyone who checked into the game matched that energy. The defensive plays seemed to draw almost more applause from the bench and crowd, with a charge drawn, a steal, or an 8-second call generating a ton of noise from the crowd. This is going to be a big part of their identity moving forward, and if they can get this level of buy-in night in and night out, it will certainly elevate the Raptors’ season.

"Does everyone on the Raptors pick up full court?"

yessir we certainly do

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 12, 2025​

• Last years’ rookies have all made massive leaps. Jamal Shead’s passing and defensive edge haven’t gone anywhere, now paired with his confidence and improved decision making that come with another year. Jonathan Mogbo demonstrated some genuinely remarkable court vision, showing potential for more triple-doubles in his future. Battle’s shooting continues, but he also made some excellent plays around the rim and has seemingly improved defensively as well. Ja’Kobe’s physical growth allowed him to improve finishing, and he made it evident early on, scoring from all over the floor.

MOGBO DOWN THERE SOMEWHERE pic.twitter.com/ydR04wO8YR

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 12, 2025​

• Alijah Martin is probably already a fan favourite. For the first few moments of the game, it was mostly a defensive effort, but his dunk elicited even more energy from him. It’s hard not to put too much into a single Summer League game, but he stuffed the stat sheet, adding 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals alongside his 16 points. He also boasted the highest plus/minus of the game at +36. His age and maturity increase the probability that this isn’t a one-off performance. He’s going to be one to watch for the rest of Summer League for sure.

… if this happened. pic.twitter.com/YJ6z1UPMnw

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 12, 2025​

The next challenge the Raptors will face will be on Sunday, July 13 at 6:00 PM where they matchup against the Orlando Magic.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/7/11/24466153/toronto-raptors-dominate-in-first-summer-league-matchup

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors hold out to win second Summer League matchup

Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

The debut of Collin Murray-Boyles didn’t disappoint as he joins the Raptors’ suffocating defence to deliver a victory

The Toronto Raptors continue to roll through Summer League with another win, this time dispatching the Orlando Magic 89-86. For the second time in a row, their defensive pressure won them the game, combined with strong scoring performances from A.J. Lawson, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead, Jonathan Mogbo, and Ulrich Chomche who all scored in double figures. Orlando put up a fight, but ultimately they weren’t able to overcome Toronto’s aggression.

WE ALWAYS TURNING DEFENCE INTO OFFENCE https://t.co/U5Hk8dIoOw pic.twitter.com/rKi0TfpsWH

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 13, 2025​

Despite being down early, the Raptors were able to work their way back into contention and then build a lead, one play after another. Each possession was fought for and earned, with bodies flying across the floor in an effort to get the ball. Orlando struggled to find an answer. Their offence looked disjointed, leading to turnovers, scoring droughts, and a visible frustration.

D-WHAT, DEFENCE pic.twitter.com/d6htkUQgyF

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 13, 2025​

Although they fall to 0-2 with this loss, the Magic had strong performances from a number of their players. Jase Richardson, their first round pick, finished with 19-2-4 and 2 blocks. He showed a lot of versatility and strength, and will undoubtedly find a role within Orlando’s organization. Noah Penda, a second round pick that the Magic traded up for also had a solid performance, especially on the boards. He ended with 9 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block. Wendell Moore Jr. and Tristan Da Silva also had a solid game, but boast previous NBA experience.

Toronto will keep their Summer League playoff dreams alive, especially with their ability to navigate a tight game where every point matters. Defence is obviously important, but needing to score in late game situations has been a struggle for Toronto over the last couple years and it was nice to see the young guys hold out for the win.

#9 pick Collin Murray-Boyles is making PLAYS on both ends for the @Raptors #NBA2KSummerLeague on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/fuJ5qhYC07

— NBA (@NBA) July 13, 2025​

While there was plenty of solid takeaways from this game, there’s three major ones we get from this one:

• Defence is everything to this team. I’ve said it before, but it’s impossible to undersell the importance of engagement, especially from the bench. Lockdown defence had everyone on their feet and cheering. The buy-in from the players on the floor as a result was palpable. It created so many extra opportunities and drove their offence, as Orlando committed 29 turnovers. Toronto was able to capitalize and score in transition as a result. In a game that was determined by a single possession, those extra opportunities were crucial for the Raptors.

There's no such thing as a 50/50 ball vs us pic.twitter.com/CccEVNkugw

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 13, 2025​

• Ja’Kobe’s ceiling seems to be getting even higher. His rookie year was shortened due to injury so we weren’t able to get a full picture of his abilities during the season, but his midrange game and 3-point shooting were the first hints. Already he’s shown comfort attacking closeouts and taking the ball to the rim. He’s said to have gained 12 pounds of muscle in the offseason already, and that seems to have helped him with both of those things. What hasn’t changed is his willingness to take tough shots, even at the buzzer. Late in the game he showed a lot of grit defensively and then the certainty in his scoring ability to take shots. While it was a team effort, it’s hard not to feel like he kept them in this game. His confidence and diversified skill set on offence is going to be crucial for the Raptors moving forward.

Ja'Kobe knows a thing or two about buzzer beaters vs. Orlando pic.twitter.com/zHPHES9dbM

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 13, 2025​

• Collin Murray-Boyles finally made his debut and it didn’t disappoint. It’s tough not to have really high expectations, especially for a lottery pick, but overall he put together a solid performance. Yes, there were mistakes. He struggled with turnovers, committing 5, but made up for it with a big block, 3 steals, 8 points, and 7 rebounds. He showed a lot of activity off the ball, moving to get open and create space. He is big, physical, and strong, and fits the defensive mold of Toronto. He has fast hands and is fearless at that end of the floor. Already he seems to be exactly what the Raptors were looking for.

YEEEAH ROOK THAT'S WHAT HE DOES @boyles_murray pic.twitter.com/yQoj2FW9f5

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 13, 2025​

The Raptors will try to keep the winning streak going as they face the Denver Nuggets at 8pm ET on Tuesday, July 15.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/7/13/24467195/raptors-hold-out-to-win-second-summer-league-matchup

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors on Film: Marking Collin Murray-Boyles’ origin story

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

The rookie forward had an up-and-down debut, but it was a fun glimpse into what he can contribute this season.

The Toronto Raptors struggled to find themselves last season.

That much was obvious after the team utilized 39 different starting lineups, a franchise record.

This year’s Summer League Raptors know who they are. A defence-first team that morphs the court’s dimensions and compresses passing lanes, a philosophy that harkens back to the mentality of the beloved 2019 championship roster.

Collin Murray-Boyles was finally added to that mix and made his debut in the Raptors’ 89-86 win over the Orlando Magic.

Let’s take a closer look at the rookie’s debut and where he left an impression.

Full court pressure​

Although the game occasionally felt sped up for Murray-Boyles, he still found ways to impact the final result. The No.9-overall pick looked most comfortable when he didn’t have to overthink, like when he was asked to pressure 2025 second-rounder Noah Penda.

Penda, 20, was praised by scouts for his handle at six-foot-six. But the French forward was visibly uncomfortable with Murray-Bolyes’ relentless ball-pressure. The first clip potentially highlights what the Raptors’ front office envisioned: a labyrinth of defenders that makes switch-hunting nearly impossible.

Cleaning the glass​

Murray-Boyles finished with a game-high five offensive rebounds. It was an encouraging sign to those who questioned his undersized stature.

The first clip captures what Murray-Boyles means as a connector. He assists with the press-break and the launches himself at the offensive rebound. Before Murray-Boyles fully lands, he throws a pass to Jamison Battle. Even though it doesn’t result in a clean look, it demonstrates his active vision.

Murray-Boyles can carve out an early reputation for creating advantages in scenarios that opposing teams choose to live with. For example, in the second clip, the Magic hide rookie Jase Richardson after the Raptors get him switched onto Jonathan Mogbo. Penda points him to Murray-Boyles’ corner, something that could happen often as teams pre-plan for the drive-and-kick, banking on the Raptors youngster to miss from deep. When teams hide smaller players or try to give star guards a breather on defence, Murray-Boyles must make them pay on the glass like he does against the Magic.

Designing a playbook​

Early signs indicate that this year’s Raptors may experiment more with 45 pick-and-rolls (PnR), which feature the power forward and centre in the action. The first two clips showcase Mogbo as the ball handler and Murray-Boyles as the screener. It’s an optimal way to keep the team’s shooters off-ball, and maximizes the Raptors’ playmaking at the four and five positions.

Like Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Mogbo, Murray-Boyles can also take off after grabbing rebounds, creating mismatches against a disorganized defence.

Room for improvement​

Murray-Boyles also finished with a team-worst five turnovers. His ability to take care of possessions will affect his playing time. The Raptors’ rookie also badly missed both of his three-point attempts.

Defence wins championships​

Even if the jumper doesn’t materialize in a meaningful way this season, Murray-Boyles can help the Raptors return to the playoffs with his defence. Murray-Boyles has an uncanny ability to snare passes at point-blank range, even when he’s simultaneously defending two players like in the first clip.

Fans will also enjoy how engaged he is off-ball. Between Barnes, Mogbo and Murray-Boyles, the Raptors can deploy a free safety for all 48 minutes.

One thing to keep track of during Murray-Boyles’ rookie season will be how he holds up against smaller players. The Raptors still don’t have a proper point-of-attack perimeter defender, and Murray-Boyles may not fit that archetype.

Interior defence​

The Raptors’ interior defence is flimsy past Jakob Poeltl. Any injury to Poeltl has often meant disaster for the Raptors in past seasons. In the first clip, Murray-Boyles shows fans where those Draymond Green comparisons originate from. He understands how to leverage his lower centre-of-gravity against post-scorers, negating his shorter wingspan and weaker standstill vertical.

Murray-Boyles shines off-ball as a weak side defender and is explosive when he gets a small running start.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/7/15...ilm-marking-collin-murray-boyles-origin-story

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Raptors’ late game execution leads to third straight Summer League win

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Toronto remains in the running for the championship as they pull off another victory, with Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead at the helm

The Toronto Raptors stepped on the court for their third Summer League contest, this time facing the Denver Nuggets. Despite a slow start, a myriad of fouls, and a chippy they emerged with their third straight win, 101-97.

ULRICH BLOCK CMB SLAM pic.twitter.com/H5bgjw4dib

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 16, 2025​

Initially, this felt like the most challenging game for this squad so far. The whistle didn’t go their way and visible frustration was written all over the Raptors’ faces after some of the calls. In the first half, Denver got 18 free throws to Toronto’s 5. The discrepancy was largely due to the aggression of the Raptors’ defence, but the frequency of the whistle discouraged a lot of what has been working for them so far in Summer League.

Off balance and unable to do what they excel at, they started to make mistakes on the offensive end as well, taking ill-advised shots and stalling instead of making the right pass.

Basketball is a game of adjustments though, and coming out of the locker room that’s exactly what Toronto did. Their defensive effort, now more disciplined, allowed them to go on a 19-0 scoring run, building a comfortable lead. Their ability to force turnovers and get out and run in transition wreaked havoc for Denver. The whole tone of the game had changed.

JA'KOBE WITH THE STEAL & SLAM pic.twitter.com/PHUY0USpQ7

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 16, 2025​

A significant shift in momentum to start the fourth quarter was the final challenge for this Summer League squad, but they took that in stride as well, sticking to their game plan and maintaining their lead until the final buzzer.

Denver falls to 0-3 in Vegas, but had strong 3-point shooting in the first half, especially from Boo Buie III. In the final minutes it picked up again, with their corner 3-point shooting getting them back into the game. Overall, Curtis Jones was their best performer, who made a variety of tough and well-timed shots. He finished with 20 points and 7 rebounds. Spencer Jones and Tamar Bates also chipped in, with 13 and 14 respectively.

Toronto had excellent performances from almost everyone who checked into the game. Ja’Kobe Walter had another phenomenal offensive performance, leading all scorers with 26 points. His mix of long range, pull-up, and at-the-rim shots exhibited his developing abilities as a three-level scorer. He also had 7 steals in this game, a component of his solid defensive performance as well. Late in the game he also was able to make solid shots, being a big part of the victory tonight. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. A.J. Lawson also had an excellent birthday performance, with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

JA'KOBE WALTER NOW HAS 18 PTS

THE RAPTORS ARE ON A 19-0 RUN ON ESPN3 pic.twitter.com/X6d29FqBsG

— NBA (@NBA) July 16, 2025​

While there is a silver lining for every player and the team’s performance as a whole, I’ve narrowed it down to three major ones:

• Jamal Shead’s basketball IQ and ability to facilitate were on full display in his minutes tonight. He struggled to score on his own in the first half, especially from long range, but was able to get everyone else their shots with some extremely well timed passes. The way he was able to navigate pick-and-roll situations was also encouraging, especially as his floater game continues to develop. In the second half, his scoring opened up, dropping 16 points tonight to go with his 8 assists. His defence was just as important, and it was nice to hear rookie Chucky Hepburn shout him out during a timeout for his mentorship. Shead’s ability to defend on all levels should easily become tone-setting for the team. Steals, deflections, forced turnovers, drawn fouls, and just his presence at times changes the tone of the game. Denver certainly felt his presence, as his plus/minus for this game was +11.

YEAHHH JAMAL pic.twitter.com/HCv22OhRJj

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 16, 2025​

• While their defence has been the biggest talking point of Summer League so far, just as vital to their game has been their effort. Any 50-50 or loose ball leads to bodies flying, quick hands, and an unwillingness to be denied the ball. Darko joined the broadcast, speaking of the character of the team that Toronto is constructing. He talked about how connected they are and their desire to win. Effort is an important part of that and to see this from the rookies can help set the blueprint for the rest of the team. No possession is lost, no clock is too late to heave a shot and hit (yet another) buzzer beater.

JAMISON BATTLE WITH THE 3Q BUZZER BEATER pic.twitter.com/xlGcGO1iUe

— NBA (@NBA) July 16, 2025​

• The late-game scoring struggles and decision making errors have been a plague for the Raptors over the last couple of years. As the year went on, they made improvements, but for a young team it’s such a challenge to execute under the high-stress conditions of the final minutes of a close game. Now, in back-to-back games this has been the situation for the Raptors youngest players, and yet they have risen to the challenge. There were still missed free-throws, unfortunate fouls, and defensive miscommunications, but they persevered, and they held onto the lead.

The fourth and final prescheduled game for the Raptors in Summer League will be Thursday, July 17 at 10pm ET on Sportsnet. Tune in to see if they can remain undefeated and play for a spot in the Summer League Championship.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/2025/7/15...ion-leads-to-third-straight-summer-league-win

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Bobby Webster named Head of Basketball Operations

After 52 days of searching and speculation, the Toronto Raptors have ultimately landed back where they started. General Manager, Bobby Webster, will succeed the recently dismissed, Masai Ujiri, as Head of Basketball Operations for the Toronto Raptors.

ESPN story on the Toronto Raptors landing on GM Bobby Webster as the franchise’s new head of basketball operations, succeeding Masai Ujiri: https://t.co/t8a1woiKIB

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 18, 2025

Webster will maintain his current title of General Manager, while assuming full team leadership responsibility, as per Raptors PR.

“I’m grateful to Keith (Pelley, MLSE President and CEO), to the board, and to our ownership for this opportunity — the chance to continue the work that I love, for a team, a city, and country that’s become home,” said Webster. “The things that are important to me — a deep love for basketball, thoughtful and empowering leadership, and a competitive fire — are the pillars of who I am as a leader. That’s what you’ll see from me every day. This is a new chapter in Raptors basketball, but one thing that will not change is our passion for winning, and our goal to bring another championship to Toronto.”

Ujiri was dismissed on June 27th, after 12 seasons leading basketball operations for the Toronto Raptors. The front office enlisted CAA Executive Search to help with finding Masai’s successor. While many names were floated around — Dwane Casey, Bob Myers, Marc Eversley, and Kevin Pritchard to name a few — MLSE chose who many Raptors fans believed was the right choice all along.

“Going through this comprehensive process this summer and meeting with external candidates played a critical role in arriving at this decision as it made clear that we already have the right person leading the Raptors in-house. When we weighed the many considerations, including roster construction, team culture and competitive landscape, it made perfect sense to officially hand the team to Bobby and give him the time and support to allow his plan to develop.” said Pelley. “After spending time together this summer in Las Vegas, I was very impressed by Bobby’s leadership style, his rapport with the players and staff, his reputation with his peers across the league and — especially and importantly — his vision for the Raptors. This team is his, now, to lead and I know we all look forward to what comes next.”

Webster has been with the Raptors since 2013, working his way up from VP of Strategy to Assistant GM, to his current title. At 40 years of age, and with a newly signed contract extension as a product of this move, Bobby has the runway and organizational support to lead the Raptors into the next era of competitive basketball.

The final years of Ujiri’s tenure — one playoff appearance over five seasons — will never diminish the run of excellence, which included the 2019 championship, that defined Masai’s legacy.

Bobby Webster on a conference all with the Toronto media: "There’s 30 of these jobs in the NBA but, to me, this is 1 of 1… There’s not a more unique basketball job in the world… I grew up playing basketball as a small kid and to have it lead all the way here is unbelievable"

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) August 18, 2025

Toronto will enter the 2025-26 season with a starting lineup that boasts 2 All-Stars (Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes), a top-10 Center (Jakob Poeltl), and 2 young guards entering their prime (Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett). The bench is stocked with young, rising stars who have built a reputation as a feisty, defensive group, and fresh off a dominant Summer League run.

Webster’s challenge will be returning this team to the hallowed grounds that defined his predecessor’s tenure — sustained regular season success, yearly playoff trips, and, eventually, another championship!

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-news/47726/bobby-webster-named-head-of-basketball-operations

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Grading every CEBL team’s Season

The last of the confetti has fallen on the conclusion of the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League’s seventh and longest season yet. The Niagara River Lions emerged victorious from the Championship Weekend once again, this time in Winnipeg, now back-to-back champions.

The Niagara River Lions are your 2025 CEBL Champions #PullUp | #CEBLSeasonVII | #CEBLPlayoffs | #NRLvsCGY pic.twitter.com/72qbtyo3FW

— CEBL (@CEBLeague) August 25, 2025

With the season wrapping, this is the perfect opportunity to rate each club’s season, considering what was good, bad, and ugly for each team and what needs to be done next year (and for a little bonus, I included one of my favourite dunks from each team).

Brampton Honey Badgers: D-

Spending the season at the bottom of the standings, they managed only 5 wins the entire summer. Their relocation seems to continue to hamper the fan attendance as well, where they also sit at the bottom of the league. They struggled to score, struggled defensively, and managed to be blown out repeatedly.

The only reason the season wasn’t an F was the signing of former NBA champion Quinndary Weatherspoon and the solid play of Canadians Koby McEwen and David Muenkat.

The Honey Badgers’ roster needs a complete overhaul and more support from the community and fans.

Get open, he'll find you
Weatherspoon dishes to Williams for our DUNK OF THE GAME
Presented by @goodlifefitness#WeAreBrampton pic.twitter.com/bf5tEMB6FQ

— Brampton Honey Badgers (@HoneyBadgersCAN) July 7, 2025

Calgary Surge: A

Since becoming a team, they’ve earned their way to the championship weekend all three years. Making their way back to the finals this year after a tough loss in the semi-finals last year showed their improvement and resilience as a team. Going up against the reigning champs was a challenge, and although they weren’t able to win, they still managed to overcome the West, an achievement in itself.

They ended the season as the second seed, boasting various accolades from their team, with Jameer Nelson Jr. winning Defensive Player of the Year and CEBL Second-Team honours, Greg Brown III being named to the CEBL First-Team, and Sean Miller-Moore named as CEBL All-Canadian team while being runner-up for the Canadian Player of the Year.

The Surge finished the year with the league-best defence, including most rebounds and steals per game. They were one of the few teams that beat the Bandits this year, managing to sweep them in all three contests. They were a fun team to watch, with fluid offence, an aggressive defence, and all of the important building blocks for a championship team.

For next season, the most important part will be retaining their core. Greg Brown III, Jameer Nelson Jr., Sean Miller-Moore, and Evan Gilyard II developed immense chemistry on both ends of the floor. Retaining them and helping develop the bench around them will mean at a minimum, a return to the conference finals.

ELEVATE

Greg Brown III skies for a massive one-handed jam

Watch live on TSN, TSN+ and CEBL+ – https://t.co/NVk3EPx257#PullUp | #CEBLSeasonVII | #NRLvsCGY pic.twitter.com/O8je0uijDH

— CEBL (@CEBLeague) August 11, 2025

Edmonton Stingers: B-

Finishing the season 15-9, the Stingers wrapped a somewhat underwhelming summer. They had strong individual performances, and held the third place in the league, but were unable to deliver more. The play of Sean East II helped elevate them and earn him a CEBL First-Team award. Scottie Lindsey was an excellent Robin to Sean’s Batman, along with help from Keon Ambrose-Hilton, Nick Horsnby, and Chris Smith.

Unfortunately, stuck in the Western conference they couldn’t hold their own, falling to Calgary in the play-in and missing the Championship weekend once again, for the fourth straight year.

It’s not to say the team didn’t have its moments this season. Sean East II set a scoring record for the league this year with the most points in a single season. Keon Ambrose-Hilton had an 18-rebound game against Vancouver, another impressive feat.

Moving forward, the dynamic backcourt of Lindsey and East II can help deliver wins, but shoring up their bench and improving defensively (especially in the paint) will be the big needs of the offseason. With the second-worst team defence in the league, their offence can only do so much for them.

KAH puts the man on a POSTER pic.twitter.com/8lZhOhzRyv

— Edmonton Stingers (@ED_Stingers) June 20, 2025

Montreal Alliance: D

Ending with a 9-15 record, third last in the league, the expectations for Montreal were higher. Since its inception, they have made the playoffs only once, and by default as they hosted last year. They have struggled to sign and retain talent over the years, leading to a roster with more turnover in comparison to the rest of the league.

Signing Raptors 905 and Canada Basketball mainstay Quincy Guerrier was a win for them, as well as Tavian Dunn-Martin, but they struggled for support on both ends of the floor. In the end, they were easily eliminated by Scarborough in the play-in.

From a statistical standpoint, the Alliance were in the upper half of the league by most of the common analytics. This didn’t translate to wins though, especially in close games and in target time.

For next season, the return of Montreal native Guerrier is the first step, although with his continued rise in the G-League and on the international stage, it’s unclear if he would be willing to come back. The next task will be building a roster that can support guys like Guerrier and Dunn-Martin.

Niagara River Lions: A+

It’s hard to give anything less than an A+ to the champs. With the majority of their roster from last year returning, they were primed to repeat. Despite struggles throughout the season and a record of only 14-10, they brought it together when it mattered.

Khalil Ahmad put on a number of remarkable performances for the River Lions, earning himself the nickname “The Lion King”. Despite often being the one they rely on in target situations, he continued to deliver, winning his second Finals MVP and being named to the CEBL Second Team.

Alongside Ahmad, Ron Curry, Kimbal Mackenzie, Ahmed Hill, Edward Ekiyor, Nathan Cayo, and Elijah Lufile all contributed throughout the season, ultimately helping to deliver their second championship in as many years. Their grit, aggression, and energy were the keys for them. They already knew what it took, and went all in.

The keys to three-peating (and being the first CEBL team to do so) will be to retain Ahmad above all else, and bring back their core of champions.

Eli took flight on this monster dunk!

Thank you @loveSTC_ for presenting our highlight of the night. #RunItBack | #PullUp pic.twitter.com/j4Fsxb704o

— Niagara River Lions (@RiverLions) June 7, 2025

Ottawa BlackJacks: B

This was a brutal season for Ottawa, who struggled with repeated injuries up and down the roster, late arrivals, and early departures. Despite starting 2-6, they ended 12-12, good for second in the East.

Their effort wavered sometimes, leading them to a number of frustrating single-possession losses throughout the season. Their signing of Javonte Smart partway through the season was their best addition and addressed this issue, allowing Isaih Moore, Zane Waterman, and Deng Adel to all elevate as well. Smart was named to the CEBL First Team and led the league in points per game while setting a franchise record for points in a single game.

They were primed to make it to the Championship weekend, handily defeating Scarborough just before the playoffs kicked off. Alas, the absence of their entire starting lineup for the Eastern Conference semifinal for a variety of reasons meant they fell to Scarborough handily.

If they can recreate this roster and amp up their effort next year, they will be contenders. They do need to get a bit more rebounding as well.

A Deng dime a Za slam #PullUp | #TheCapital pic.twitter.com/raEhNARIgI

— Ottawa BlackJacks (@ott_blackjacks) July 26, 2025

Saskatchewan Rattlers: D+

Second-last in the league, this season was about building culture more than it was about generating wins. They didn’t have any First or Second-Team players, missed the playoffs, and won only 7 games. But the players who are there have learned a lot about their city and fans and put together some fun basketball.

Isaac Simon did win Development Player of the Year after some solid play. Bediako, Ifejeh, Simon, and Anticevich were the most consistent for the team. Pierre-Louis, Jones, John, Bowden and Bandoo had solid scoring performances but missed time.

Saskatchewan needs to continue to develop and build a winning culture, and find a few guys with hometown pride and players that want to win for the city. The return of guys like Jones, Bediako, and Bowden couldn’t hurt either.

ANT!
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣#YearOfTheSnake | #PullUp pic.twitter.com/CBtPkWMHmE

— Saskatchewan Rattlers (@sskrattlers) August 10, 2025

Scarborough Shooting Stars: B

With some of the biggest signings in the league over the years, the expectations for Scarborough will always be really high. After their championship in 2023, they were eliminated by the eventual champions the last two years. Not a bad way to go, but definitely disappointing.

One of their issues is roster turnover. They had 18 different guys suit up for them this season alone, with Donovan Williams and Terquavion Smith, their premier guys playing only 16 and 15 games respectively. Kat Barber, Aaron Best, Hason Ward, and Kalif Young all came and went, meaning a lack of consistency was part of their struggle that saw them fall to the 3-seed in the East. An easy pathway through the weakened Alliance and BlackJacks rosters were the only thing that gave them such an easy berth to the playoffs.

Roster consistency and the return of some of the guys like Walker or Best that know the program would be good first steps for next year. Free-throw shooting also needs a drastic improvement where they were the worst in the league. Also focusing on not being too top-heavy and working to improve the bench will also help them as they seek their second championship.

Starting off his CEBL career in style

Smith hits the superman celebration after this electrifying dunk, capping of his 26 point CEBL debut against the Alliance. He’s gonna be a problem

Watch more on CEBL+ powered by @tonybet_ca – https://t.co/NVk3EPx257#PullUp |… pic.twitter.com/xug9fmmxkV

— CEBL (@CEBLeague) June 19, 2025

Vancouver Bandits: A-

Coming into the playoffs as the best team in the league with a 19-5 record, the league MVP and First-Team recipient in Mitch Creek, the Canadian Player of the Year, Second-Team, All-Canadian team, and Clutch Player of the Year in Tyrese Samuel, and Coach of the Year in Kyle Julius they were the heavy favourite.

Despite the accolades and their record, Calgary had their number all year and came out victorious in a single-possession play-in game that prevented the Bandits from travelling to Winnipeg for the playoffs.

A disappointing twist of fate, but Vancouver’s roster and coaching structure is phenomenal. There is no way that they won’t be right back in the mix next year. Their priorities should be to maintain the tandem of Creek and Samuel, along with Givance to shore up the backcourt. Building around those guys with similarly-minded tough and energetic players should be just enough to push them over the edge.

Slammin’ Samuel with the altitude adjustment

Samuel takes flight and throws down a poster-worthy dunk that lit up the Bandits’ home opener.

Watch live on TSN+, NLSE and CEBL+ powered by Tonybet#PullUp | #CEBLSeasonVII | #VANvsNRL pic.twitter.com/VaQJJYKXPS

— CEBL (@CEBLeague) May 23, 2025

Winnipeg Sea Bears: C

It’s always hard for the host team to earn respect based on their automatic entrance into the playoff weekend. They lost in the semifinals to Calgary, but as the four seed in the West, shouldn’t really have been there to begin with.

Simi Shittu had an excellent season, earning Second-Team and All-Canadian honours. Former Raptor Jalen Harris also had an excellent season, but didn’t earn recognition for it. Later additions Trevon Scott and Will Richardson were both helpful, but it wasn’t enough to help them.

They took care of the ball well, averaging the fewest turnovers in the league. The biggest issue for them to address will be scoring. While they had a strong tandem in Shittu and Harris, they needed help around them to take on some of that load. Bringing in a couple of solid and efficient scorers next year could be a game changer for the Sea Bears.

It’s showtime @TheJalenHarris throws down the reverse dunk as the Sea Bears lead 89-85 late in the 4th

Watch live on TSN, TSN+, and CEBL+ https://t.co/NVk3EPxzUF#PullUp | #CEBLSeasonVII | #WPGvsSSK pic.twitter.com/9gnDNOiOBZ

— CEBL (@CEBLeague) August 2, 2025

Now most of the players will head off to their next team, with some heading overseas to Europe, Australia, and China, while others travel south to compete in the NBA G-League. While we will have to wait another 9 months for the next season that will tip off in May, it’s always fun to keep up with the guys as they play abroad and think about what next season will look like.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/47749/rating-every-cebl-teams-season

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Ujiri-produced film set to make TIFF premiere

Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League is a new documentary executive-produced by Masai Ujiri. It is an in-depth look at the power of sport, as told by the story of the creation of the Basketball League of Africa, set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8th, 2025.

Featuring the voices of people like J. Cole, Steph Curry, Barack Obama, and more, the film celebrates the endeavours of those who made the BAL possible. The film highlights the diversity of Africa, the passion the players and everyone involved with BAL have for the game, and the universal language of basketball.

We are teaming with Giants of Africa to give away 15 pairs of tickets to the premiere of Origin on September 8th. After the screening of the film at 2:30 pm, there will be a live Q&A with Masai Ujiri, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall, NBA All-Star and BAL Investor Joakim Noah, Origin’s Executive Producer, Writer and co-director Richard Brown, and Origin Executive Producer Akin Omotoso.

To enter the giveaway, all YOU need to do is head to Raptors HQ’s FEED and make a post about your favourite basketball movie and WHY it’s your favourite. 15 people will be selected to receive a FREE pair of tickets for the screening and Q&A on September 8th at TIFF Lightbox in downtown Toronto, courtesy of Giants of Africa.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/47765/origin-film-tiff-masai-ujiri-bal-africa-basketball

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Beyond Basketball: Masai Ujiri Becomes United Nations Sustainability Advocate

It’s been a busy off-season for Masai Ujiri, and for the first time in a long time, it’s not because of the Toronto Raptors. With his executive produced film, Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League, premiering at TIFF on September 8th, the former Raptors president is set for a public splash in the entertainment industry. But, that’s not the only area into which Masai is deepening his reach.

Ujiri has recently been appointed a Sustainable Development Goal Advocate by the United Nations, acting as an ambassador for the UN’s SDG program. There are 17 total goals, including the ending of poverty and hunger worldwide, as well as a number of commitments to environmental justice and social equality. Masai called his appointment “a tremendous honor,” as he enters a star-studded group of ambassadors including the Queen of Belgium and the President of Microsoft, as well as Toronto’s own, content creator Lilly Singh. The former president’s qualifications stem from his place as the head of Giants of Africa, a non-profit group centred around basketball, hosting camps, building courts, and providing support to young people throughout Africa.

Since his July 27th departure from the Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri has shown no interest in leaving the world of sports, doubling down on his role as a figure in African basketball in the short term. However, the beginning of his role at the United Nations suggests a potential future as a part of the wider international community, beyond an exclusive focus on athletics.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/raptors-n...-nba-masai-ujiri-basketball-un-united-nations

 

[Toronto Raptors]

Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. Sheds New Light On Brother’s Sports Betting Scandal

During his tenure on the Denver Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. was known as the team’s pure scorer, dropping in buckets to help lead his team to the 2023 NBA Championship. Since 2021, Porter Jr. had also maintained a podcast called “Curious Mike,” demonstrating his interest in media creation as a part of the NBA’s player/podcaster landscape. Porter Jr. had, of course, been far better known for his basketball career, but in recent weeks, it have been his words rather than his jumpshots that have been making headlines.

Since being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in June, Michael Porter Jr. has been making a series of public appearances in which he has made a number of attention-grabbing statements, ranging from descriptions of his use of Andrew Tate videos to screen potential female partners, to crass comments about homosexuality and promiscuity. However, some of his public musings have connected themselves to the broader conversation about gambling in sports, and more specifically the gambling scandal centred around his brother, former Raptor Jontay Porter.

Porter, who was on a two-way contract with the Raptors in 2024, was banned from the NBA on April 14th, 2024, after he was found guilty of a number of violation of league gambling regulations, including intentionally performing worse in games to allow for gamblers to profit, as well as placing personal bets on NBA games. Jontay Porter has not played a game since that date, and the story had largely faded into obscurity, until his brother, MPJ, renewed the discussion around gambling, and the family’s relationship with vice at large.

In a video published on August 8th on his podcast’s YouTube channel, Porter commented on the connection between his Christian faith and his, and his family’s, respective difficulties in managing different behaviours.

“My brother for example, struggled with gambling. My vice has always come in the form of women, and when I’m far from God, and I’m not in my word, I’m not praying, I’m not prioritizing him, that seems to be the place that the devil gets me… My brother, Jontay, he never seemed to struggle with that vice. I never struggle with a gambling addiction.”

A few days later, his appearance on the One Night with Steiny podcast hit the internet, where he spoke more about the pressures of gambling within the NBA.

“Think about it. You get mad at these dudes, like… that do the sports betting, but think about if you could get all your homies rich by telling them, ‘yo, bet 10,000 dollars on my under, you know, this one game, Imma act like I got an injury, and Imma, Imma sit out. Imma come out after three minutes, and they all get a little bag ‘cause you did a one game…’ That is so not okay, but some people probably think like that; they come from nothing, and all their homies have nothing… obviously my brother went through his situation… but the whole sport gambling entity, bro, it’s bad and it’s only gonna get worse… like, we, we really do get death threats.”

“Crazy part is you can’t win anymore… if I do too good, I’m messing up the people that bet on the under, and if they bet on my over… You’re messing up some people’s money.”

Despite the silliness of some of his other comments, Porter Jr. clearly has strong feelings about the realities of gambling in the modern NBA. He has a unique viewpoint on the matter, having experienced the destructive nature of sports betting not only as a player who is bet upon, but as the family member of Jontay Porter, whose professional career was derailed by his involvement in sports gambling. These dangers are not new, and were discussed in Raptors HQ’s previous coverage of the Jontay Poter incident back in 2024. There are clear drawbacks to the integration of gambling into the modern-day professional sports landscapes, and amongst Michael Porter Jr.’s waves of outlandish statements, he raises genuine concerns about sports betting that have impacted both him and his family, as well as the league at large.

While Jontay Porter is no longer in the NBA, his story serves as a reminder of the dangers of gambling and the precarious situation in which the world of professional sports has found itself, with continued association with betting and the allure of fast cash for players and those close to then that it spawns.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/general/4...rs-gambling-odds-jontay-porter-sports-betting

 

[Toronto Raptors]

5 Upcoming WNBA Draft Prospects to Watch

It’s a little early, I know, but with the 2025 WNBA season dwindling, Toronto fans can’t help but look ahead to 2026, when the Tempo will finally enter the league. There is still a lot to do before that, with an upcoming expansion draft to plan for, what will be a historic free agency, oh and of course, signing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and hopefully avoiding a strike or lockout. Still, the crispness in the air is making it feel like college basketball season, and that just means we are closer to the Draft.

Toronto will likely have the No. 6 pick in the WNBA Draft’s first round. I say “likely” because it hasn’t been set in stone, but there is precedent. It’s common practice in the WNBA and NBA for expansion teams not to have lottery picks in their first year in the league. In the WNBA, it likely would have only been the first year, but the Golden State Valkyries won’t get a lottery pick this year simply because they made the playoffs. In 2025, the Valkryies got the No. 5 pick for their first draft (the first pick after the lottery). In 2026, there will be five lottery teams (eight WNBA playoff teams, which leaves five remaining teams that won’t make it), meaning the No. 6 and No. 7 teams would logically go to the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire. Since Toronto was announced first, it makes sense they’d get No. 6, and Portland would be given No. 7.

With all of that explained, let’s get to the draft prospects themselves. Unlike 2025, there isn’t (yet) a clear No. 1 pick, and we will get a clearer picture of what the potential order of these picks will be as the college season develops. Still, there is a ton of exciting talent on the board, even as you get down to the No. 6 pick in the draft. For now, let’s just get introduced to some general talent, and as the potential order becomes clearer in a few months, we can analyze who may still be available at No. 6.

Also, before you yell at me, Juju Watkins isn’t draft eligible until 2027.

Azzi Fudd (G) UConn​

Azzi Fudd is coming off her National Championship run to play one last season at the University of Connecticut, poised to be a top pick in the 2026 Draft. After suffering with injury for a lot of her college career, including missing over a year recovering from ACL surgery, Fudd had a great redshirt junior year in 2024-2025, ultimately ending in a Championship. She is using her redshirt year to come back as a 5th-year senior for the upcoming college season.

While we haven’t seen Fudd play to her full potential for an entire season during her tenure at UConn, she has a way of stepping up when the team needs her most. She was a huge part of crucial games last season, including UConn’s big regular-season win against South Carolina and again when they played South Carolina for the championship. Finally fully back from ACL recovery, Fudd seems to be getting more and more comfortable back on the court as time goes on, and her postseason run this spring proved that. There is a ton of excitement for her potential this season.

Fudd is a sharpshooter, known for her clean shooting form and fast clip — often getting her shot up before the defence even notices she has the ball. She’s also become more aggressive on the drive in recent years, and her physicality has improved as she has increased her strength. If she plays like she did at the end of the 2025 season, she will be a top pick in the 2026 draft.

Lauren Betts (C) UCLA​

When you’re a 6-foot-7-inch post-player in women’s college basketball, you’re a little inevitable, which is a great way to describe Betts. After starting her college career at Stanford, Betts transferred to UCLA, and she’s thrived. Her team spent most of last season undefeated, finally meeting their match when faced with cross-city rivals USC. They went on to win the Big-10 Tournament and then made it all the way to the Final Four at the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1-seed.

Betts herself is a traditional center who can put the ball into the hoop, defend the rim, block, rebound, and has a high motor for her height. It’s hard to pass up on a prospect like her, given her size and ability to be a mismatch in the post, but Betts performs in a way that boosts her potential beyond just being tall.

While she was draft eligible this past season, Betts was vocal about wanting to use her final year of eligibility at UCLA. After her sister Sienna Betts committed to the school as well, the older Betts knew she wanted to play one year of college together with her younger sister. The two will be a dynamic duo for the Bruins, who are returning a good portion of their core next season.

Olivia Miles (G) TCU​

Olivia Miles provided the women’s college basketball world with the shock of the year when she decided not only to skip the 2025 WNBA Draft and stay in college one more year, but also to transfer schools. Miles was a prospective No.2-No.3 pick in this year’s draft, and had played 4 years at Notre Dame along with phenom rising junior Hannah Hidalgo and now WNBA rookie phenom Sonia Citron. After missing a year of college with an ACL injury, Miles committed to coming back to Notre Dame for last season. It was expected she’d play this year and then enter the draft, beginning her WNBA career as a top prospect.

Then she dropped the news: she wasn’t entering the draft, but she also wasn’t staying at Notre Dame. In what would be the beginning of a mass exodus of transfers out of Notre Dame, Miles entered the transfer portal. Eventually, she landed at TCU, where Hailey Van Lith had just graduated from the program and become the Chicago Sky’s first-round draft pick.

Miles brings a playmaking IQ to the court, able to pass the ball but also get her own when it comes to scoring ability. While she wasn’t the No. 1 perimeter defender at Notre Dame, since Hidalgo locks up that title pretty easily, Miles can still get it done on both ends of the court. She is a solid point guard option who can score, shoot, defend, and pass at a high level. It will be interesting to see if her draft stock stays on par through her year at TCU, or if the decision to stay in college costs her that top-3 pick status.

Flau’Jae Johnson (G) LSU​

Another player who could have gone pro this year, but opted to stay in college, is Flau’Jae Johnson. I’ve said for years that Johnson would be a great player for the Tempo to draft in their first year. She is not only an incredible player, but her personality is just what you’d want from the young star of a brand-new franchise.

Looking back on that infamous game between Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes and the Van Lith/Angel Reese/Johnson-led LSU Tigers in the 2024 NCAA tournament, Johnson was the only player who really figured out how to defend Clark. To this day, I don’t understand why Coach Mulkey continuously went back to assigning Van Lith to Clark when Johnson was shutting her down more effectively.

So, Johnson can defend, and that’s as much proof as any of that fact. When it comes to offence, Johnson’s height and wingspan make her an automatic mismatch on smaller guards at her position. She can shoot, and her one-legged fadeaway jumper is just as pretty as it is effective. When it comes to players on the board, Johnson is the beginning of the group that the Tempo could actually take at the No. 6 pick.

Ta’Niya Latson (G) South Carolina​

Ta’Niya Latson was the top scorer in the country last season, consistently upsetting various ACC teams with her Florida State team. In a conference that thrives on guard play, Latson was the diamond of the season last year, breaking through from fringe star to full-on national treasure. It was clear she had outgrown what Florida State could offer in terms of championship potential, and when she transferred to South Carolina in the portal, the match made perfect sense.

Now, Latson will play her final season of college on a championship-calibre team that is known for pumping out long-lasting WNBA prospects. She is reunited with her high-school teammate in Raven Johnson and will be coached by Dawn Staley. South Carolina is a Final Four stalwart, continuously making it back to the end of the tournament and rarely dropping more than a few games every season. It’s a great chance for her to raise her game to the next level.

Latson can score, averaging over 30 points per game last season while also dishing it out at a high volume. Those numbers may decrease a little this year, given the change from the ACC to the post-player dominant SEC, but having Latson when going up against perimeter offence teams like UConn, USC, and more will be helpful. She is also someone (currently) in range for the Tempo to potentially grab at No. 6.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/wnba-cont...ospects-ncaa-college-uconn-south-carolina-lsu

 

[Toronto Raptors]

2 Canadians set to shine in WNBA Playoffs

It’s the final week of the WNBA regular season, and all but one playoff spot has been secured. The Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks are in a race for the eighth and final spot, while specific playoff placement, seeding, and matchups will also be determined this week. Despite a few unknowns for this season, one thing is already clear — a set of Canadians will be significant factors in their respective teams’ playoff success.

This season, there are four Canadians on WNBA rosters: Kia Nurse in Chicago, Aaliyah Edwards in Connecticut, Laeticia Amihere in Golden State and Bridget Carleton in Minnesota. Edwards was a little closer to a playoff spot at the start of the season with the Washington Mystics, who hung around for the first half of the season before selling at the trade deadline and falling out of the playoff picture. Edwards was a part of the selling process, being dealt to the Connecticut Sun in a trade. The Sun were never expected to be in the playoff race this season, but show promise of exciting days ahead.

Kia Nurse is on a Chicago Sky team that may have had playoff hopes in May, but was mathematically eliminated weeks ago. After their PG-1, Courtney Vandersloot, tore her ACL and exited the lineup, it’s been a little rough in Chicago. There is a lack of cohesiveness on the roster that is showing on the court, but also in the drama going on off the court.

That leaves Carleton’s Minnesota Lynx and Amihere’s Golden State Valkyries.

Golden State sets the bar for expansion teams​

After being waived by the Atlanta Dream team that drafted her No. 8 overall, Laeticia Amihere signed a training camp contract with the brand-new Golden State Valkyries. Despite a great showing at camp, Amihere was waived before the WNBA season, but the team circled back and re-signed her about a month later due to some roster shakeups.

Amihere has now played a career-high 28 games in a singles WNBA season, coming off the bench for Golden State to average 5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. Despite it being their first season in the league, Golden State shocked the women’s basketball community by playing a fierce brand of basketball and achieving what seemed impossible: making the playoffs in year one. They didn’t just scrape in either; they were the sixth team in the league to clinch their berth in the postseason, a spot they seem to be holding onto.

When it comes to their playoff hopes, Golden State is a team that could end up delivering an upset to a higher-seeded team. Everything they do is so enjoyable because there have been no expectations for this team in year one, but they aren’t going to go down without a fight. Unfortunately, their one allotted home game of the first round will not be played at their usual home arena in Chase Center due to scheduling conflicts. Yet, fans should have no problem travelling to support this team.

Amihere will provide solid backup bench minutes for Natalie Nakase’s Valkyries. As a lengthy forward with the ability to draw fouls, she could play an essential role in close games. The Valkyries have had an underdog mentality this whole season, and their winning some playoff games could be super exciting.

Destiny is the name of Minnesota’s game​

After making it all the way to the WNBA Finals in 2024, the Minnesota Lynx lost the 5-game series in a tightly contested game against the New York Liberty. The Lynx came back this year more confident and immediately surged to the top of the WNBA standings, where they have stayed ever since. They were the first team to clinch a playoff spot, eventually locking in the No. 1 spot for the season. They will face either Seattle or Los Angeles in round one. After tying the season series 2-2 with Seattle, the Lynx probably want the Sparks in that first-round series.

They’ve been championship favourites all year, and it’s finally time to prove why. It won’t be easy, though. Despite giving themselves a nice cushion to finish the season on top of the standings, the Lynx will have tough competition throughout the playoffs. The New York Liberty have been struggling, but they are pretty intact from last season and will be fighting to redeem their reputation as well as win back-to-back championships. The Las Vegas Aces have been on a tear to end the season, having won their last 14 games in a row, and are also out looking for revenge after dropping last season’s WNBA semifinals. Phoenix and Atlanta are also in the championship conversation and have levelled up significantly this season.

As for Bridget Carleton, the Canadian has successfully transformed herself from fringe bench player to important starting role player over the past few seasons. Her tough defence makes Coach Cheryl Reeve trust her, and she’s improved her shot enough to be a big factor in the Lynx’s offence. Minnesota will look to her to make big shots in big moments like she did in 2024, but will also be a big part in locking down perimeter players like Sabrina Ionescu, Allisha Gray, and Jackie Young. Carleton is a big part of the Lynx’s hopes to return to the WNBA Finals, but finish the story by ending the season with a championship.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/wnba-news...olden-state-valkyries-carleton-amihere-canada

 

[Toronto Raptors]

The Truth about Kawhi Leonard’s Exit from Toronto

It’s been quite a week in the NBA news cycle. It was revealed last week that Kawhi Leonard was circumventing the NBA salary cap with the LA Clippers by having a “sponsorship deal” with a tree-planting company that was traced back to the team. It wasn’t a real sponsorship deal, and Leonard was receiving a higher salary from the team without it affecting their cap. Well, turns out his camp was trying to do the same thing when negotiating a deal for him to return to Toronto back in 2019.

If you are a Toronto Raptors fan, you know the saga of “Will He Stay?” It was a lot of city-wide initiatives, plane tracking, and speculation from Toronto residents about whether or not Kawhi would stay another season in Toronto, running back most of the Championship squad in an attempt to win back-to-back. If he had stayed, there was a good chance they would have returned to the Finals. Of course, the pandemic would have happened, and the rest of the season would have been played in the bubble, so who knows. It’s all what ifs, given Leonard ended up signing with his hometown Clippers and returning to California. At the time, fans were disappointed but understood the reasoning: he wanted to go home.

Apparently, it had a lot to do with money, as well.

You see, as more comes to light about what I am calling “Tree-Plant-Gate” (maybe that will stick), it seems Leonard and Uncle Dennis were planting the seeds back in 2019. (lol planting the seeds)

Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star has reported that Leonard’s camp had been asking for multiple “extras” to persuade him to stay in Toronto. First, it was an ownership stake in the Toronto Maple Leafs, which is impossible because they are owned by MLSE (which also owns the Toronto Raptors). Uncle Dennis didn’t do his homework on that one. According to Arthur, another part of the deal was a trade for Paul George, something that obviously ended up happening in LA.

Another extra Leonard’s camp wanted, according to Arthur’s reporting, was no-show sponsorship deals and ownership stakes in outside companies. Basically, free money. When Toronto retorted that there would be extensive sponsorship opportunities for Leonard should he stay in Toronto, Uncle Dennis apparently replied that he “didn’t want to do anything for them.” So, no ad-shoots, no in-person appearances, the usual things that come with sponsorship deals. He just wanted the money without having to do any of that. Arthur reports he wanted an extra $10 million from that kind of stuff. MLSE said no. Leonard left. He seems to have gotten that in LA.

This Kawhi story keeps getting wilder.

His camp also wanted a $10 million a year no-show sponsorship deal to stay with the Raptors.

Great reporting from @bruce_arthur: https://t.co/H0FHqE4Z7k https://t.co/aKVH0vR2fG pic.twitter.com/SGwGE5sN8r

— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) September 9, 2025

Other than it being kind of arrogant, is there a real problem with asking for things like no-show sponsorship deals? Well, it falls under the term “circumventing the salary cap,” so the short answer is, yeah. The salary cap exists to try to make the NBA fair for all teams, but players and their teams sometimes get frustrated that there is a limit to how much money they can make. So, they try to find other ways to accumulate income, and it gets sneaky when they don’t want to do anything for it.

Sponsorships are part of sports, but it’s a transactional thing: the companies are making money on a player’s name, image, and likeness. Companies want to pay athletes to be on the front of their cereal box because that means fans will buy their cereal. That involves going to a photoshoot, making a commercial, you know, doing a bit of work.

These under-the-table deals aren’t sponsorships; they are sneaky ways to add on salary for a player that won’t impact a team’s cap.

A similar thing came to light with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces a few years ago. The Aces are owned by the same guy who owns the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, so he has cash to give out. Yet, the WNBA has a very strict hard salary cap, and it’s not very high. It was revealed that players were being paid under the table for similar no-show sponsorship deals. It’s tricky because obviously, the WNBA salary is not as high as it should be, and the players deserve more. Yet, it was clearly against the rules, and the WNBA investigated — nothing regarding a verdict or punishment has been announced yet.

It’s hard to prove these things, of course. These guys know what they are doing, and all it will take is for Kawhi Leonard to go take a picture next to a newly planted tree for them to make it seem like he’s actually participating in a sponsorship deal. Will he get punished? Maybe.

Knowing this now, it adds a lot of context to why Leonard didn’t return to Toronto. He won his chip, and now he wanted added benefits. It wasn’t about the location or the team or the championship hopes; it was about money. People will have varying opinions about whether they think Toronto should have just paid him the money and gotten him back, but I think it shows a little bit of integrity from the team.

Source: https://www.raptorshq.com/nba-news-...ry-cap-circumvent-la-clippers-toronto-raptors