Raptors 905, Toronto's new D-League team, to start playing basketball this fall
An NBA Development League team will play in Mississauga for the 2015-16 season, the Raptors' corporate owners, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE), announced on Monday.
The Raptors 905 will be a farm team for the Raptors, as the D-League is the NBA's official minor league. It will be owned by MLSE.
"Raptors 905 will give our young players a great opportunity to develop and gain valuable experience, while providing high level, affordable basketball to the community," said Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors president and general manager.
Tickets will begin at $11 for seniors and students, and $14 for adults, and then go up to $90 for courtside seats.
The season will run November to April, roughly the same schedule as their NBA parents.
The Hersey Centre, next to highway 410, has a capacity of 5,000.
Almost one-third of all NBA players have some D-League experience, according to the NBA.
The Raptors will be the ninth team to own a D-League team. They join the Cleveland Cavaliers (Canton Charge), Golden State Warriors (Santa Cruz Warriors), Los Angeles Lakers (L.A. D-Fenders), New York Knicks (Westchester Knicks), Oklahoma City Thunder (Oklahoma City Blue), Philadelphia 76ers (Delaware 87ers), San Antonio Spurs (Austin Spurs) and Utah Jazz (Idaho Stampede).
This adds one more team to MLSE's sports roster, which includes Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), the Toronto Raptors (NBA), the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and the Toronto FC (MLS).
