The Toronto Raptors have agreed to a 1-year contract with Jamaal Magloire making him the first ever Canadian to play for Canada’s lone NBA basketball franchise.
Magloire, an 11-year NBA veteran with career averages of 7.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game was drafted 19th overall in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
Has also played in Milwaukee, Portland, New Jersey, Dallas and last year with the Miami Heat.
In 2003-2004 Magloire became only the second Canadian NBA player to be named to the All-Star team when he started all 82 games and averaged 10.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in his second year with the New Orleans Hornets.
The Toronto native should be an immediate fan favorite with the Raptors loyal fan base.
Magloire played his high school basketball at Canadian/Toronto power-house Eastern Commerce and took his game to the NCAA and helped the Kentucky Wildcats win the 1998 national championship.
During his tenure in Lexington he became the Wildcats all-time leading shot blocker.
The return home also opens up the possibility of Canadian basketball fans finally seeing the “Big Cat” in a red and white uniform.
Magloire has never played with Canada’s senior national team and will surely have a spot in the waiting if decides to do so.
For the Raptors they are getting a veteran with the ability to the defend the paint and establish a much needed presence in the locker room.
Regardless of the outcome, the acquisition is a win-win situation for Canada’s lone NBA team.
Most supporters just wished this moment would’ve occurred five years ago.
Magloire might not bring it every night, specially with the crunched up schedule, but we can expect Toronto’s prodigal son to represent for his city like few pro athletes have done before.
