Raptors 905 has been named the NBA G League Franchise of the Year for the 2019-20 season, the team announced Tuesday.
"Just as Raptors 905 develops phenomenal players, like Fred (VanVleet) and Pascal (Siakam) and Norman (Powell) and Chris (Boucher) on the court, they also develop fantastic people off the court," Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said through a press release. "Raptors 905 is an investment in our franchise, but it's also an investment in basketball in Canada, a way for us to support growth of the game."
After finishing 23-27 in their inaugural 2015-16 campaign, Raptors 905 has earned a record above .500 in each of the four seasons since. The developmental squad won a championship in 2016-17, then lost in the G League Finals the following season. A number of notable NBA players have played for the team over the years, including current Raptors stars VanVleet and Siakam.
The G League Franchise of the Year award is given to the team that best exemplifies competing with intensity, leading with integrity, and inspiring play.
"We said when Raptors 905 started that we intended to make this the best franchise in the G League, and we are really proud that we've been recognized for that," Ujiri added.
