The Toronto Raptors have opened a massive practice facility for the franchise’s NBA G League team in Mississauga.
The 16,000-square-foot facility at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre was opened on Saturday. It boasts a full-size court, including four baskets, revamped state-of-the-art locker rooms, a large fitness and training space, an extensive medical and rehabilitation area and a dining room and player lounge. Raptors 905 are the first G League team to have an exclusive NBA regulation basketball court built.
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish, NBA G League president Shareef Abdur-Rahim (the first Vancouver Grizzlies star), Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chief operating officer Nick Eaves and Raptors 905 vice president Courtney Charles attended the grand opening.
“Today is about more than opening a new facility; it’s about investing in the continued growth of basketball in the 905 and across Canada. This project reflects the strength of our partnership with the City of Mississauga and our shared commitment to creating opportunities for players, coaches and the next generation of athletes to develop at the highest level,” Charles said in a news release.
“We’re grateful to MLSE ownership, our partners and the community for believing in the vision of Raptors 905 and helping make this facility a reality.”
905 started in Mississauga in 2015-16
Raptors 905 began play in 2015-16 in Mississauga and won a league title a year later with Pascal Siakam being named Finals MVP. Later Chris Boucher would win G League MVP honours. The new practice space includes banners that read “The Road to the 6 starts here,” a nod to players who honed their game with the 905 before becoming Raptors.
“This world-class facility reflects the NBA G League and the Raptors 905’s shared commitment to developing players, coaches, and staff,” Abdur-Rahim said in the news release.
“Investments like this strengthen the G League as a platform for growth and innovation, while also allowing the 905 to deepen its connection to the Mississauga community through basketball clinics and by opening the facility for events during the offseason.”
The Toronto Raptors have opened a practice facility for the franchise’s NBA G League team in Mississauga.
The facility will be a shared amenity between MLSE and the City of Mississauga, with basketball development camps and community groups being hosted there. A clinic was held there Saturday featuring more than 50 youth from the Erin Mills Youth Centre, the Mississauga Monarchs and PDM Basketball.
“Mississauga is a place that produces great players and coaches and is home to top-tier sport venues. Our long-standing partnership with Raptors 905 and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment allows us to continue to elevate the caliber of sport in Mississauga,” Parrish said in the news release.
“This new gym is a big win for us and will benefit both Raptors 905 as their new practice facility while also offering access for residents.”
The Raptors opened a practice facility at Exhibition Place in 2016 that was originally called the BioSteel Centre. It was rebranded to the OVO Centre in 2019.
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