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Fan Expo Canada – 5 players who dressed up like Toronto Raptors

By Chris Mckee

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 14: The Raptor, mascot of the Toronto Raptors, poses for a photo before the NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 14: The Raptor, mascot of the Toronto Raptors, poses for a photo before the NBA All-Star Game as part of the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory. Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Vincenzo Esposito 1995-96

CANADA – JULY 26: Vincenzo Esposito (Photo by Michael Stuparyk/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
CANADA – JULY 26: Vincenzo Esposito (Photo by Michael Stuparyk/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Esposito was the first player ever signed by the Toronto Raptors franchise. He was also the first ever Italian player signed by an NBA team.

He was supposed to be an international sensation who would help create interest in the game of basketball in a multicultural city like Toronto.

Just imagine those initial meetings with Raptors executives back in 1994-95 when they were deciding how to start the franchise.

Executive A: What NCAA stars should we look at to start the Raptors franchise?

Executive B: Forget the NCAA. I have this Italian guy we need to look at.

Executive A: Italian guy? I love that idea!

Esposito ended up playing in just 30 games for the Raptors and looked completely lost on the court against real NBA players.

He averaged 3.9 points per game with 0.8 assists per game during his time in Toronto which turned out to be the only stop of his NBA career.

With signings of this calibre, it’s a wonder that the Raptors franchise was able to make it to playoffs later in their history. 

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