WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The players and coaches from the first Toronto Raptors team

Bernard Weil / Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors are now NBA champions.
The franchise has come a long way since their inaugural 1995-96 season.
We took a look at the players and coaches from the first Raptors team and what they are up to now.
Most of the original Raptors are still involved in the sport in some way
Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

After 24 seasons, the Toronto Raptors won an NBA Championship for the first time since they were founded in 1995.

The team was part of the NBA’s expansion into Canada, that also included the debut of the Vancouver Grizzlies. Since the Grizzlies moved to Memphis, Tennessee before the 2001-02 season, the Raptors have been the only Canadian-based team.

Most of the original Raptors are still involved in the sport in some way, while others have parted ways.

Below we take you through what the earliest Raptors are up to today.

Doug Christie was traded to the Raptors in the deal that gave the Knicks Willie Anderson. He remained with the team until the end of the 1999-00 season. In 2000, Christie was traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he developed into one of the best defenders in the game.

The Sporting News / Getty Images

Christie played in the NBA for 15 years, but was sidelined in 2005 due to bone spurs. He underwent ankle surgery that caused him to retire two years later. Now, he is a commentator for the Sacramento Kings on NBC Sports California.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Damon Stoudamire was the Raptors first ever draft pick in the 1995 NBA draft and went on to win the 1995–96 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He averaged 9.3 assists and 19 points per game. He was given the nickname "Might Mouse" because he is listed at 5 feet 10 inches and had a Mighty Mouse tattoo on his right arm.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

See Also:

Source: Business Insider –