Josh Gold-Smith | SPORTS REPORTER
The resurgent Toronto Raptors have struck a chord with members of Humber’s basketball teams.
Hawks forward Sebastien Hunziker said the explosion of international players in the NBA, particularly in Toronto, has contributed to the success of Canada’s lone franchise. “It shows that European players have the skills to play at a high level,” the Swiss-born fitness and health student said. “Basketball is basketball, no matter where you play.”
Hunziker, who played in Switzerland before coming to Toronto two years ago, said international scouting has come a long way in recent years.
“Scouts are going to Europe more to find more players and basketball is worldwide now. Good players are everywhere.”
Former Phoenix Suns general manager Bryan Colangelo was hired last summer to resurrect the Raptors and Humber guard Meghan McPeak said he deserves credit for overhauling the roster and bringing in talent from overseas. “Having him come in, being so successful with the team he had been with, that has helped the team in their success this year,” she said.
Colangelo garnered mixed reviews when he selected Italian Andrea Bargnani first overall in last summer’s draft and acquired Spanish veteran Jorge Garbajosa, but the two have adapted quickly to the North American game.
“With Bargnani playing so many years in Italy and Garbajosa playing for Spain in the world championships, I think that helped them adapt to the NBA very easily,” McPeak said.
Toronto is known for being one of the most multicultural cities in the world and Hunziker said the current Raptors team is a reflection of the city itself.
“By bringing in different cultures, they know people here are going to want to come see them play,” he said.
The rise in attendance is also because the club is on pace for its best season since three straight playoff berths from 2000 to 2002.
As the playoff race heats up, Toronto has a chance to surpass its club record of 47 wins, reached in 2000-01 when it advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
The team will have to do it without Garbajosa, who shattered his ankle last Monday against Boston, and Bargnani, out indefinitely after emergency appendix surgery on March 21.
McPeak said the club’s depth could help overcome the loss of their young stars. “They’ve been able to come together as a team really well,” she said. “When somebody goes down, they know somebody else has to step up.”
No matter what happens this year, Hunziker is optimistic about the Raptors’ future. “They have a franchise player in Chris Bosh and now they have players to support him,” he said. “This is the first year that Colangelo has been here and they’re above .500.”