NBA names Raptors 905 top G League franchise for 2019-20 season

Raptors 905 guard Nick Wiggins (left) guards Maine Red Claws' Terry Rozier during first half NBA Development League action at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario Thursday November 19, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

TORONTO — Raptors 905 has been named the NBA G League franchise of the year for the 2019-20 season.

The NBA announced Tuesday that the Toronto Raptors' affiliate is being given the annual award for its performance on the court as well as its business development and community involvement.

The team, which plays out of the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ont., saw an 11 per cent increase in fan attendance in 2019-20.

Raptors 905, which won a G League title in 2017, has long been lauded for developing NBA-ready players. All-star Pascal Siakam, key point guard Fred VanVleet and Canadian centre Chris Boucher are among the program's graduates.

Raptors 905 will kick off its sixth campaign in Orlando as part of the G League's single-site 2021 season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 9, 2021.