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Think you can play in the NBA? Raptors 905 hold open tryouts

By Chris Mckee

MISSISSAUGA, ON - SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 - Raptors 905 is an open tryout for the Toronto Raptors new D League team which will play in Mississauga at the Hersey Centre. Seventy five hopefuls were on hand for a full day of work outs with coaching staff at University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus. Photographed on SEPTEMBER 19, 2015. Rick Madonik/Toronto Star (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
MISSISSAUGA, ON - SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 - Raptors 905 is an open tryout for the Toronto Raptors new D League team which will play in Mississauga at the Hersey Centre. Seventy five hopefuls were on hand for a full day of work outs with coaching staff at University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus. Photographed on SEPTEMBER 19, 2015. Rick Madonik/Toronto Star (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Ever thought you have what it takes to play in the NBA? Here is your chance to put your money where your mouth is. The Raptors 905 are holding open tryouts in Toronto.

Mark Wahlberg starred in the film Invincible that was released back in 2006. The movie was based on the true story of Vince Papale who was a 30 year-old bartender who showed up to an open tryout for the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.

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Papale impressed Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil with his speed and he was extended an invite to the Eagles training camp.

(Spoiler alert!) He eventually made the team.

Papale ended up playing three years in the NFL for the Eagles from 1976-78 as a WR and special teams player.

Have you ever thought that perhaps you gave up on your basketball career too early? Did you get injured in college and not have the opportunity to showcase your real talent? Where you on a college team that played in a restrictive system that didn’t allow you to put up the stats that scouts are looking for?

If you said yes to any of the above, then today is your lucky day.

The Toronto Raptors minor-league team Raptors 905 are holding an open tryout to anybody who thinks they can play.

Players will have the chance to compete against former and future NBA players for the chance to make the roster of Raptors 905 which is the direct path to the NBA. 

This is the third year in a row that Raptors 905 have extended this opportunity to the general public.

Raptors 905 are the defending G League champs and they feature a host of players who spent time in the NBA with the parent club Toronto Raptors last season.

The Raptors two first-round draft picks in 2016 Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam both spent parts of the 2016-17 season going back and forth between Raptors 905 and the Toronto Raptors.

Former Wichita State star guard Fred VanVleet went undrafted out of college but used his opportunity with Raptors 905 to work his way into the NBA and was a regular contributor for the big club in Toronto.

Could you be the next VanVleet?

Players that register before September 5 will have access to an early bird price of $225. The price goes up to $275 if you register after that date or show up on the day of.

The tryout will take place on Saturday, September 16 at the University of Toronto Goldring Centre in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Next: How long can the Raptors hold on to Jerry Stackhouse?

Who knows, the Raptors could have the next Vince Papale walk out onto the floor of the Air Canada Centre during the 2017-18 season.

As the great Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”