Raptors 905 kick off second season with Stackhouse at the helm
The Jerry Stackhouse era of the Mississauga Raptors 905 has officially begun, with tryouts beginning for the D-League squad and the Raptors officially announcing Stackhouse as the 905’s Head Coach.
Raptors 905 announce @jerrystackhouse has been named head coach. #WeTheNorth
More: https://t.co/dvSKoVd3nF pic.twitter.com/SUBWeoK2on
— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) September 9, 2016
“We are very excited to name Jerry Stackhouse our new head coach,” said Raptors 905 General Manager Dan Tolzman in a press release. “The basketball pedigree that he brings to the 905 bench is as good as it gets in the D-League. We believe that his experience as a successful NBA player along with his year spent learning under Coach Casey on the Raptors staff will go a long way in helping teach the young players within our system what it takes to thrive at the next level.”
He's (Casey) the epitome of consistency & that's what I want to bring (to the role) – New 905 coach Jerry Stackhouse pic.twitter.com/VxXupataTj
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 10, 2016
“I am honoured to have the opportunity and challenge to lead our D-League team,” said Stackhouse. “I appreciate the confidence Masai (Raptors President Masai Ujiri) and Dan have shown in me to continue the development of our younger players.”
Open tryouts kicked off for the 905 at the University of Toronto’s Goldring Centre, with some solid Canadian talent in attendance.
Negus Webster-Chan, a former Missouri and University of Hawaii product who spent last year with the NBLC’s Halifax Hurricane’s, made an appearance at U of T hoping to land a spot on the D-League squad.
Another promising Canadian in attendance was Shaquille Keith, who spent last year with the Windsor Express and was recently traded to the Cape Breton Highlanders for the rights to the second overall pick in the 2016 All-Canadian Draft.
The Raptors 905 will have a plethora of talent to work with, including players from Toronto who will bounce back and forth between both squads and players who wont make the final roster for the NBA squad. Players like Norman Powell, Delon Wright, Bruno Caboclo, and Lucas Nogueira have all contributed to the 905 last year and are expected to see minutes in the D-League again this year.
