Toronto Raptors: Watch Malachi Flynn, Freddie Gillespie sing Miley Cyrus
By Mike Luciano
The Toronto Raptors have been trying to get younger this year, as the veteran-led team has given first-round pick Malachi Flynn and 10-day contract signing Freddie Gillespie extended roles in the rotation. On the court, the Raptors have to like what they see.
Gillespie is averaging 6.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in his first NBA action, while Flynn is averaging 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in the month of April. Apparently, the two rookies are also doing a good job of winning over the locker room, as evidenced by a video taken at Raptors practice that will assuredly go down in the annals of Toronto lore.
Even in Tampa, the Raptors are trying to meet their rookie hazing quota, with Kyle Lowry leading the charge. Signing in front of teammates is nothing new, but Flynn and Gillespie might’ve just help author one of the most memorable rookie hazing performances in recent NBA history.
Goaded on by their teammates, Flynn and Gillespie belted out a stirring rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” Originally a bit nervous about signing in front of their teammates, the pair eventually started hitting their notes, with Gillespie even getting incredibly animated as he channeled the Grammy-nominated singer.
https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1385582019535642631
Toronto Raptors rookies Malachi Flynn and Freddie Gillespie can sing.
While the community in Tampa has done everything they can to make the Raptors feel at home, it’s still an unusual situation considering the substandard facilities. While a team with poor leadership would’ve easily frayed at the seams, the Raptors appear to be as close-knit as ever.
The Raptors went from a team that won one game in March to a viable playoff team that is suddenly competing for one of the final play-in spots. Who could’ve ever imagined that two of the most impactful players during that stretch were two bad Miley Cyrus impersenators that were playing college ball at this time a year ago?
It’s still a bit uncertain what Flynn and Gillespie’s NBA future holds, but it’s clear that they have supporters in Toronto. Even amid such a wacky, unusual season that has the Raptors playing over 1,000 miles from home, the spirit and togetherness that this team has become famous for haven’t waned in the slightest.
What’s the verdict on the signing, Raptors fans? Do Flynn and Gillespie have the pipes to make it big in music? Or should they just stick to their day job? If Damian Lillard can amass just under 800,000 listeners on Spotify as a rapper, why can’t Gillespie suddenly turn into a tween pop idol? Stranger things have happened.
