3 Jerome Williams:
Jerome Williams is another Raptor whose value to the team and to the city can’t be measured by statistics alone.
Williams was known as Junk Yard Dog (J.Y.D. for short) during his 4 seasons in Toronto, and for good reason. He embodied hustle and hard work, and his tenacious style of play was beloved by the fan base. (Can we take a moment to note what a great nickname that was? Nicknames in the NBA have objectively gone down-hill as of late)
He never developed into an elite offensive player, but he was a valued contributor, averaging eight points and seven rebounds as a Raptor between 2001 and 2003. Rebounding, specifically offensive rebounding, was what he excelled at, and his hustle, timing, and strength set him apart from other power forwards in the league.
His intensity was infectious, and his love for Toronto paired with his trademark hard-nosed play on the court have turned him into an iconic Raptor from the early years.
Williams loved playing for the Raptors, and the passion he played with on the court was easy to see. At a time when the Raptors were struggling to make a name for themselves, and prove that Toronto could be a successful NBA city, Williams was exactly what they needed.