Training camp began today for the NBAB次元官网网址檚 Toronto Raptors, but players werenB次元官网网址檛 practicing on their home court at the Air Canada Centre, instead they worked through drills at the University of Victoria.
The team is holding a four-day training camp in Victoria before jetting off to Hawaii for two preseason games against the LA Clippers early next month.
B次元官网网址淚 love coming out here,B次元官网网址� said Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry. B次元官网网址淲e really represent the country of Canada and we understand that we have a lot of places to touch, a lot of people to touch, and I think itB次元官网网址檚 great for the organization to come out here and touch fans and touch people and give them the chance to see us up close and personal.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE:
This was the fourth consecutive year the team has held its training camp in the province.
Coach Dwane Casey said itB次元官网网址檚 been a good first day for his players, with some very competitive practices taking place on Tuesday.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an honour to visit a different part of Canada and prepare for our season in the first-class facilities at the University of Victoria,B次元官网网址� said Casey last month, when the training camp schedule was first announced. B次元官网网址淲e are extremely proud being CanadaB次元官网网址檚 only NBA franchise. Our players and staff feel enthusiasm for basketball in every city we have visited. We donB次元官网网址檛 ever want to take that for granted.B次元官网网址�
Canadian National Team player and Raptors forward Kyle Wiltjer is hoping to crack the squad this season. The son of former UVic Vikes standout Greg Wiltjer was born in Oregon but enjoys dual citizenship and helped the national team to a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. This followed an illustrious college career that began with a National Championship at Kentucky in 2012 before transferring to finish his college career at basketball powerhouse Gonzaga.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 just a buzz around Canada right now B次元官网网址� a lot of young players coming out. And when you have a lot of young talent, it creates opportunities,B次元官网网址� said Wiltjer, who noted his only focus right now is on the Raptors.
READ MORE:
Twenty players have been invited to camp, but only a maximum of 15 players can be part of an NBA roster (13 of which can be active each game).
The teamB次元官网网址檚 intra-squad game goes Thursday night at UVicB次元官网网址檚 Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA). The facility will seat 2,300 for the game. Tickets sold out in less than 20 minutes leaving many basketball fans scouring the secondary ticket market. UVic has since announced that standing room only tickets will be available for fans beginning at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the gameB次元官网网址檚 7 p.m. start.
Proceeds from the game will support the local Golf for Kids Charity Classic, which directly supports a number of charities including the Help Fill a Dream Foundation.
"We really representing the country of Canada."
B次元官网网址� Toronto Raptors (@Raptors)
Full videos:
ragnar.haagen@bpdigital.ca
Like us on and follow us on
