AJ Lawson couldn’t help himself when he stepped on Raptors 905’s recent practice court.
Lawson, who’s on a two-way contract that has him playing frequently for the G-League team in Mississauga, Ont., and the Toronto Raptors, its parent club, needed to try every move he could consider on the 905’s recent practice court at Paramount Advantageous Foods Centre.
“I attempted to do some trick shots to have the ability to say I’m the primary to ever do that on this court,” said Lawson on Friday. “But it surely never felt pretty much as good as once I dunked it, so I feel it’s a superb gym.”
Lawson and his 905 teammates have had just a few practices at the brand new facility attached to their home arena — allowing him to interrupt in the edges — however the practice court was formally unveiled in a ceremony attended by Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment chief operating officer Nick Eaves and Raptors 905 vice-president Courtney Charles.
The brand recent 16,000-square foot practice facility was inbuilt a partnership between the City of Mississauga and MLSE, the owners of the Raptors and Raptors 905.
It incorporates a full-sized court, including three baskets, revamped state-of-the-art locker rooms, a big fitness and training space, an in depth medical and rehabilitation area and a dining room and player lounge.
Related Videos
Raptors 905 head coach Drew Jones said that the ability will help together with his team’s mission of developing basketball talent for the NBA team.
Get every day National news
Get every day Canada news delivered to your inbox so you may never miss the day’s top stories.
“It allows us to coach with a terrific purpose and consistency,” said Jones. “Within the G League, with the roster turnover and the travel, the extent of consistency can vary tremendously.
“I feel once you’re attempting to grow and develop talent, one in all the largest things that the NBA is in a position to provide is a level of consistency when it comes to the work, the atmosphere, the environment.”
Charles said that the ability’s best feature is that players and coaches can train at any time when they need.
“When you could have an area that you could have access to for twenty-four/7 you’re in a position to have times where you’re in a position to have one-on-ones with people while they work on free throws, while they work on dribbling, while they work on their game,” said Charles. “We’ve known that when our culture allows us to turn into a bit more human with someone, that there are the spaces which are comfortable for people, it’s a development opportunity.”
Raptors 905 are the first-ever G League team to have an exclusive NBA regulation basketball court built.
“That’s truthfully amazing,” said Lawson. “It just shows that the 905 cares they usually’re really putting the work in to assist out whoever they may help, to assist their players grow.”
Due to MLSE’s partnership with the City of Mississauga, the ability can be allocated to various basketball development camps and community groups each throughout the G League season and its off-season.
“Mississauga is a spot that produces great players and coaches and is home to top-tier sport venues,” said Parrish in a press release. “Our long-standing partnership with Raptors 905 and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment allows us to proceed to raise the calibre of sport in Mississauga.
“This recent gym is an enormous win for us and can profit each Raptors 905 as their recent practice facility while also offering access for residents.”
Lawson, who’s from neighbouring Brampton, Ont., but went to highschool in Mississauga, loved that local youth will profit from the brand new facility.
“As a child I felt I played more outdoors than indoors, because there wasn’t numerous facilities I could go train,” he said, sitting at his locker at Scotiabank Arena. “Just the undeniable fact that there’s one other place you possibly can go train at for teenagers in Mississauga or the GTA is truthfully great.
“They’re going to find it irresistible since it just gives them an additional sense of motivation. They will see the following step, just like the 905, the NBA, all that’s right there in front of them.”
Saturday’s opening concluded with Raptors 905 players leading a basketball clinic featuring greater than 50 children from the Erin Mills Youth Centre, the Mississauga Monarchs and PDM Basketball, who became the primary community groups to play on the brand new practice court.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press