NBA

'A great feeling': Fred VanVleet Scholarship recipient Abdullahi Hassan sits down with VanVleet, CBC

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:09:18 +0000

'A great feeling': Fred VanVleet Scholarship recipient Abdullahi Hassan sits down with VanVleet, CBC

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 10/04/2022 - 09:09

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Abdullahi Hassan, the inaugural recipient of the Fred VanVleet Scholarship, recently met his award's namesake at the OVO Athletic Centre in Toronto (photo courtesy of the Toronto Raptors)

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Our Community

Academics

NBA

Rotman Commerce

Undergraduate Students

Abdullahi Hassan was in second-period accounting class when he was handed a letter and asked to read it out in front of his peers.

That’s the moment when he found out he was the inaugural recipient of the Fred VanVleet Scholarship, which covers tuition at the University of Toronto’s Rotman Commerce program, an annual stipend for textbooks – and mentoring from the Toronto Raptors guard himself.

“The first thing that I did, I just had to text my sister and tell her: ‘I got the scholarship, don’t tell mom, I have to tell her when I get home, I’ve got to surprise her,” Hassan told the CBC News “Front Burner” podcast.

(photo courtesy of the Toronto Raptors)

His mother’s eventual reaction? “She was in tears. She was just so grateful and like, you know, proud of me. It was a great feeling seeing your mom in that state … seeing me accomplish so much.”

The needs-based scholarship was launched by VanVleet to support incoming Black and Indigenous students at Rotman Commerce, an undergraduate business program offered jointly by U of T’s Rotman School of Management and Faculty of Arts & Science.

The Raptors star, who was a key member of the team’s 2019 championship run, told CBC News that the idea for the scholarship emerged from conversations inspired by the “huge social justice push” that occurred around the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is one of the things that was born out of that, which was to offer a full scholarship based on entrepreneurial skills and pursuits. [It’s] just something that I’m honoured to be a part of,” VanVleet said during the podcast, which also explored VanVleet’s journey to winning an NBA championship and establishing himself as a team leader.

“For somebody who didn’t love school that much, I think it’s a great cause and giving a kid that may not have had as good of a chance at this a chance, I think, is pretty special.”

In a video posted to the Raptors’ social media channels, Hassan is seen meeting VanVleet at the OVO Athletic Centre in Toronto, with his proud parents in tow. “He said if I need anything, anything I’m struggling with, to just let him know,” Hassan told the Raptors. “I just realized he’s actually here to support me. I’m really grateful for that.”

Listen to the "Front Burner" episode on CBC News

Watch the Raptors video

'Win it in six': U of T basketball's head coach on Raptors' chances, what NBA Finals mean for Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 30 May 2019 14:56:41 +0000

'Win it in six': U of T basketball's head coach on Raptors' chances, what NBA Finals mean for Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 05/30/2019 - 10:56

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Toronto fans, some with signs and Drake cutouts, cheer in Jurassic Park as the Toronto Raptors play the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Final in Toronto (photo by Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

City & Culture

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

NBA

Sports

Varsity Blues

After the Toronto Raptors’ historic win against the Milwaukee Bucks, the city erupted in celebrations with thousands of ecstatic fans flooding the streets and everyone from former Raptors’ players to Canadian Olympians to politicians flooding social media with congratulatory posts.

Now, as the city prepares to host Game 1 of the NBA Finals against reigning champions the Golden State Warriors, U of T’s Jelena Damjanovic caught up with John Campbell, head coach of men’s basketball at the university, to get his take on how the NBA’s lone Canadian franchise managed to unite a whole city and what it means for the future of basketball in Canada.

What does hosting the NBA finals mean for the city of Toronto and for basketball in Canada?

It’s certainly new territory. You can feel the excitement across the city – not just with basketball fans – but with people who maybe have a peripheral interest in the game or have kids that play it. It’s tremendous and I think over the next two weeks the excitement is going to be incredible, but I also think we’ll see a couple of spinoffs over the next couple of years, because of the success and the exposure of the game to the people in the city and across the country.

Right now we’re already riding the wave of the Raptors’ success in the past with a number of kids playing the game across the country and in the GTA especially, so basketball’s in a very good place. Coming into a World Championship year, I think you’re going to see the talent that Canada has produced over the last couple of years on display this summer in China and then next summer in Japan at the 2020 Olympics. The idea that all these kids who are now 10 or 15 years away from that next wave of players have this opportunity to watch this team is incredible. You certainly wouldn’t be surprised if 15 years from now you see that next group of kids at the forefront of Canadian basketball.

Many have observed the diversity of the Raptors’ fans, as well as their unity in support of the team. How do you explain the broad appeal of the Raptors to a city as diverse as Toronto?

Basketball is similar to soccer. It’s an accessible game, something that’s played worldwide, that’s open to people of all socio-economic backgrounds. The Raptors’ fan base is reflective of the GTA, which is an incredible, multicultural mosaic. You can see that in the arena and in Jurassic Park during the games. I think MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment) has done a great job of making the Raptors representative of the community and I think the community feels that connection, which they may not feel in the same way with hockey perhaps.

What role did the fans play last Thursday in helping the Raptors turn around their fortunes from trailing 13 points behind Milwaukee at halftime to beating them 100-94 at the end of the game?

The players have a sense of support when they play at home and you could feel it throughout the playoffs and through the regular season, as well. They’ve played really well at home and you notice a lot of the players, especially the supporting cast, really played better or played quite well at home. I think that’s something that we’ll look for going forward into the finals – perhaps that starting the series at home is a real bonus for the Raptors.

Could the fans’ support sour with the soaring ticket prices for the NBA Finals?

I think for a lot of fans attending the games in the arena is probably a bit out of reach, but it’s great that MLSE is bringing Jurassic Park versions to Mississauga, Brampton and Burlington, giving opportunities for fans to get together and watch the games together. We’d all like the chance to witness the game in the arena, but at the same time the number of people that constantly ask you where you are going to watch the game…it brings neighbourhoods together, brings the community and friends together. I think we’re all going to know where we were when we watched the Raptors win a championship.

So you think the Raptors are going to win this thing?

I think the Raptors have a great chance. I think they’re going to win it in six.

Remember when Zach LaVine decided he didn't even need that double-between-the-legs dunk?

sgupta — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 16:23:00 +0000

Remember when Zach LaVine decided he didn't even need that double-between-the-legs dunk? sgupta Thu, 02/18/2016 - 11:23

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“I think local fans definitely got a boost from the all-star game coming to Toronto,” says Sage Usher (photos by Martin Bazyl )

Jelena Damjanovic

Author legacy

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

Subheadline

NBA All-Star Game brings everyone to the 6ix: Russell Westbrook, Karl-Anthony Town and that ESPN reporter who didn't like Win Butler's post-celebrity-game insights

Drake? Check. Kobe Bryant? Check. Spike Lee and Snoop Dogg? Check and check.

For a weekend, Toronto went from being a cool city to a really cool city, when an estimated 120 NBA players, to say nothing of celebrities and tourists, descended on the town for the NBA All-Star weekend.

Not wanting to spoil any preconceived notions of the North, Toronto was hit by freezing temperatures, but not even that spoiled the excitement and fun felt throughout the city.

“For any basketball fan the NBA all-star weekend is always a highlight of the year, probably more so from an entertainment value, but this year across Canada we've really felt as though the game has been brought to us and we've had an opportunity to interact with the NBA in a way that is fairly unique,” says John Campbell, head coach of the Varsity Blues men’s basketball program.

Raptors' dentist preps for NBA All-Star Game: “When they're hit, they're hit hard”

sgupta — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:23:59 +0000

Raptors' dentist preps for NBA All-Star Game: “When they're hit, they're hit hard” sgupta Tue, 02/09/2016 - 11:23

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When players are injured in a game “they have to be patched up and recovered as quickly as possible,” Assistant Professor Peter Nkansah says (photo by Ron Turenne/MLSE)

Erin Vollick

Author legacy

Erin Vollick

Subheadline

“Teeth go through lips, teeth get broken or knocked out,” Peter Nkansah says

He’s a U of T alumnus with a specialty in dental anaesthesia, an editorial board member of Oral Health Magazine, an assistant professor at the Faculty of Dentistry and a dentist with his own specialty practice.

But Peter Nkansah is also one other thing: dentist to the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.

“I teach at the Faculty one day a week, and run my practice four days a week, as well as one Saturday a month,” Nkansah says.

“I’d say I spend about one per cent of my clinical time as the team’s dental consultant. I’ll be on site for the 41 regular season games, plus playoff and exhibition games.

“But this year will be a little special because of the All-Star game.”

What the NBA All-Star Game means for Toronto

sgupta — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 06:44:08 +0000

What the NBA All-Star Game means for Toronto sgupta Mon, 02/01/2016 - 01:44

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Kyle Lowry will be in the starting lineup for the NBA All-Star game on Feb. 14 (photo ©NBA)

Krisha Ravikantharaja

Alan Christie with files from Krisha Ravikantharaja

Author legacy

Alan Christie with files from Krisha Ravikantharaja

Subheadline

Is the 6ix ready to be the first city outside the United States to host this party?

On Feb. 14, the NBA All Star Game comes to town. And it could mean a multi-million dollar bonanza for the City of Toronto.

Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors will be joining superstars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant in the starting lineup – after a huge surge in fan voting during the final days, highlighted by a Twitter campaign started by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“Toronto is the perfect place to host the All-Star Weekend," says Mahal De La Durantaye, a guard on the women’s Varsity Blues basketball team. "I’m happy Lowry is on the All-Star Team.”

Lowry’s teammate DeMar DeRozan will also be there, thanks to the NBA coaches’ selection of All-Star reserves announced on Jan. 28. Whether the Raptors' winning streak – sitting at 11 consecutive wins as of Jan. 30 –will have ended by then is anyone's guess.

The 65th annual NBA All-Star game will be the first ever held outside the United States. Attendance would cost you $1,999 (for the bronze package) all the way up to $7,499 for the sold-out Gold A package. Beyond the game itself, the three-day weekend of events includes elite players taking part in a skills competition, a slam dunk contest and three-point shootout. There is also a celebrity game and an all-rookies game as well as extra festivities scheduled around the city.

The all-star weekend will be a “regular work weekend” for Varsity Blues men’s basketball coach, John Campbell. The team is set to play Algoma on Friday, and then hopes to schedule in a practice on Saturday before their game against Ryerson on Sunday, which is being held at the Enercare Centre as part of the All-Star Fan Fest.

“There’s already been a lot of excitement, especially with their efforts to really take the events right across the country and not make it just about Toronto but make it about the whole national basketball scene. There have been a lot of events designed around trying to get kids participating, or at least involved as active fans so that’s been really positive. With the voting for the All-Star team having closed, you’re starting to see the city and the basketball community gear up for it.

“For us to have the opportunity to play one of our games as part of Fan Fest is pretty exciting for our players. It’ll be a once in a lifetime experience.”

Sage Usher, a guard for the men’s Varsity Blues basketball team, hopes to see a good crowd out for their game against Ryerson.

The fact that we are participating in the weekend as a team makes it really exciting.”

Last year, the all-star game was held in New York, generating $100 million in economic activity for that city. But Richard Powers, an associate professor, teaching stream, at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, says Toronto's gain won't match that figure.

“Last year the game was held at Madison Square Garden in New York – a mecca for the sport, and a city of over 8.5M people,” Powers said. “I don’t think that the ACC has reached ‘mecca’ status yet and we obviously have a much smaller population base to draw from.

“But the popularity of the Raptors and hopefully the inclusion of some members of the team to the squad will certainly increase interest, and draw people to Toronto for the game. Judging the economic impact is a bit of a guessing game as well – but I don’t think we can reasonably expect the same as NYC.”

Legendary players such as James and Bryant are the leading vote-getters for the game and Stephen Curry, son of former Raptor Dell Curry, is one of the game's brightest stars. Now wearing #30 for Golden State and renowned for having one of the highest basketball IQs around, the high-scoring Curry haunted the Raptors' practice court as a child, squaring off against the likes of then-point guard Alvin Williams.

Along with Lowry and DeRozan representing the home team, Team World in the Rising Stars challenge includes two Canadians: Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks and former Rookie of the Year, Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the professional players aren't the only draw for this All-Star Game.

Another major Canadian component of the All-Star weekend is the participation of Grammy Award-winning artist Drake.

The Raptors’ global ambassador and unofficial face of Toronto, Drake will coach the Canadian team in the All-Star celebrity game on Feb. 12 at Ricoh Coliseum.

(At right: Drake watches courtside as Curry and the Golden State Warriors take on the Raptors/Instagram photo courtesy of champagnepapi)

Team Canada members for the celebrity game include Steve Nash, the former two-time NBA MVP and WNBA star Natalie Achonwa, who is also a member of the Canadian Women’s national team.

Jose Bautista, star right fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, Win Butler of Arcade Fire and tennis player Milos Raonic are also slated to play for Team Canada.

The American celebrity team will be coached by comedian Kevin Hart, who is also headlining an after-party at Roy Thomson Hall.

Team U.S.A. members include acclaimed actor and hearthrob Michael B. Jordan (pictured at right in a photo by Gage Skidmore via flickr).

The star of movies Creed and Fruitvale Station, Jordan will play alongside NBA legend Muggsy Bogues, who played for the Raptors. Bogues was the shortest player ever to play in the NBA at five foot, three inches.

Powers was asked whether an event such as an all-star weekend could pull the city together the way the Blue Jays run for the playoffs did in 2015.

“Yes and no – it all depends on who is selected. The more Raptors, more interest and the home court advantage. This year will probably be the last for Kobe Bryant (he has announced his retirement) and that should have some appeal – but that is not Toronto- building.

“The ‘we the north’ still resonates so let’s hope they get out to support the game and the Raptor players selected. The media have a huge role here as well – the more they hype it – the better it will be embraced by the locals.

“The recent Pan Am Games illustrated this best – at the beginning, interest was marginal but as Canadians started seeing it on TV and news spread about the great Canadian athletes' performances, that brought more publicity and more people out to the venues.”

The Raptors have made the playoffs the last couple of years and Powers was asked what a championship would mean to the city, whether it would be like the Jays winning the World Series or the Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup.

“Toronto needs a winner – and after the Leafs, I don’t think it matters who comes next. Nothing could displace the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup, but in the absence of that happening anytime soon, the Raptors are as good a club as anyone else re the celebration that would take place if they went all the way.

“By the time the Leafs win the Stanley Cup, I hope to be at the game and then use my personal Transporter to whiz me away and remove me from the pandemonium that would then happen, to another place on the planet where I could be safe and secure.”

While Toronto will be the centre of the basketball universe in February, it is clear that some Americans are still in the dark about Canada’s largest city. A website for a newspaper in the Gannett chain reminds its readers that a passport will be needed to cross the border to see the weekend activities, and advises them to “start practicing your French and the Canadian national anthem” with the game held in Toronto.

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NBA

'A great feeling': Fred VanVleet Scholarship recipient Abdullahi Hassan sits down with VanVleet, CBC

Listen to the "Front Burner" episode on CBC News

Watch the Raptors video

'Win it in six': U of T basketball's head coach on Raptors' chances, what NBA Finals mean for Toronto

Remember when Zach LaVine decided he didn't even need that double-between-the-legs dunk?

Read more about the All-Star Game's impact on Toronto

Raptors' dentist preps for NBA All-Star Game: “When they're hit, they're hit hard”

Read more about the All-Star Game

What the NBA All-Star Game means for Toronto