The Toronto Raptors are the NBA's only franchise based outside the United States, playing home games at Scotiabank Arena in downtown Toronto. As the flagship of Canadian basketball, the Raptors have cultivated a passionate national fan base symbolized by the massive "Jurassic Park" fan zones during playoff runs. The team's red-and-black branding has become a symbol of Toronto sports pride.
The Raptors joined the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1995. Vince Carter's electrifying play in the early 2000s put the young franchise on the map, and the team built steadily through the 2010s under stars like DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. The Raptors captured their first NBA championship in 2019, led by Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, becoming the first team outside the U.S. to win an NBA title.
Source: RateGame Editorial