Toronto Raptors Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Tribute to Vince Carter

@mrvincecarter15 will always remain a familiar name and sport jersey in the city of Toronto, to which Carter brought to life the meaning of basketball, by not only being the star player during his time here, but exhibited how the game is played at a high level, and still does today.

Carter and the Memphis Grizzlies were in town November 19 to face the Raptors at the Air Canada Centre; as The Toronto Raptors celebrate their 20th anniversary. Throughout this season the Toronto team will pay tribute to players who have played over the years, and last night the franchise showed their appreciation to 'Air Canada' the greatest player to suit up in their 20 year history, Vince Carter.

This was VC only scheduled stop this season in Toronto, so it was fitting the organization show respect to Carter on his career with The Raptors which was presented in a video montage that brought Carter to tears. The sell-out crowd acknowledged VC at the ACC with a standing ovation with Carter's mother who was also in attendance at the game. Read more and watch the video of VC tribute, and also an amazing Vince carter 2014 season mix - 'Legends Never Die' done by @MaxaMillion711 .....Check it!

#1 NBA Draft Pick Andrew Wiggins Will Play Along Side LeBron James

Number one overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft is Toronto's own baller @22wiggins - Andrew Wiggins by the Cleveland Clavaliers; and Wiggins is the second consecutive Canadian player selected as a #1 NBA draft pick, behind Anthony Bennett.

Andrew Wiggins has had great accomplishments in his young basketball career, which is only just beginning and Wiggins could be on his way to the top sooner than expected. With the announcement today by LeBron James that he is heading back to the Cleveland Clavailers, in a written essay release, stating...."I'm not having a press conference or a party. After this, it's time to get to work." 

T.O. SPOTLIGHT: Orlando Franklin

@OFranklin74 was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to Toronto at the ago of three and this is where the seed was planted in Franklin's life, and grew to become an outstanding NFL player, that made his debut in Super Bowl 2014.

Orlando Franklin played college football at the University of Miami and was selected 14th in the second round draft, 46th overall by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 NFL Draft. He became the first right tackle and the sixth offensive lineman overall in the team's history to start every regular-season game as a rookie.

The AFC Champion is 26 year old, 6 foot 7", 320 lbs Offensive Lineman climbed the latter to success, however each step was challenging to say the least; and Franklin shared his story to students a couple years back in 2012, when he visited St. Patrick Catholic High School in Toronto. His current life story, which began when he moved from Jamaica to Toronto at the age of 3 with his mother Sylvia Allen and older brother, is a propelling story involving various life altering circumstances for Franklin that included two occasions in custody, homeless shelters, foster homes, and a mother who never gave up on her son.

Read more on Orlando Franklin, video of fans and friends cheering him on from Toronto....

SPORTS: Drake Named Global Ambassador of Toronto Raptors + NBA All-Star Toronto 2016

It was floating in the air this morning, but now it's a done deal...as National Post reported Drizzy #Drake is now the Toronto Raptors sport club new 'global ambassador' and the home town rap star will have say in the team's re-branding! This sounds similar to the major make-over by another NBA franchise when Jay-Z played a large hand in the revamping and a complete move of the now Brooklyn Nets as they are still transitioning, and fine tuning with new additions to their roster Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Read more on this Raptors 'mash-up' and watch the video...

SPORTS: LeBron James Honored As 2012 Sports Illustrated 'Sportsman of the Year'

#LeBron James was honored Wednesday night after being named the 2012 Sports Illustrated “Sportsman of the Year” on Monday. Arguably the best athlete of this generation, the eight-time NBA All-Star had an incredible year that included being named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (his third time), winning his first NBA championship, the Finals MVP, and a gold medal with Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics.

See pics inside from the presentation ceremony with Jay-Z and Beyonce in attendance...*Looks like Jay-Z is on speaking terms with LeBron now!??*

Video: Who Are The Top NBA Rookies For 2012??

By: Jerry L. Barrow

#NBA preseason basketball is underway and some of you are already prepping for your fantasy league drafts. Rookies usually find a way to make noise in the NBA (since they usually get drafted by really bad teams) so who are the ones to keep an eye out for?

Watch JR Sport Brief break down his favorites inside...

2012 ESPYS Awards

ESPY Award (short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award) is presented by the cable television network ESPN to recognize individuals and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during each calendar year, since 1993. The 2012 ESPY went down last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

LeBron James walked away with two awards of his own, Best Male Athlete and Best Championship Performance. Jermey Lin pick up Best Breakthrough Athlete and Best Fighter award went to Floyd Mayweather Jr. You can see the complete list of winners inside...

Also inside, pics of some of the attendees and watch a performance by Nas and Swizz Beatz...

Video: Miami Heat Crowned 2012 NBA Champs

As we know the Miami HEAT are now the 2012 NBA Champions, which earned LeBron 'King' James his first championship ring, and I'm pretty sure there will be more to come. Which leads me to this question: Can the Toronto Raptors win a NBA Championship; what will it take? (I can hear it already - "how about making it to the playoff first!"

After watching these clips of the HEAT celebrating, it would be nice to have a similar celebration in the T. Dot...Thank you the Toronto Blue Jays '92 - '93...However, it's time (well overdue) for some sports celebrations of our own! Toronto Maple Leafs - Come on guys!!?

Anyhow....you can watch video of NBA legend (who is no stranger to championships), and now NBA Executive Pat Riley party it up with his winning team at Bamboo Miami. Read more on Oprah Winfrey meeting up with Miami's 'big 3' inside....Congrats!