MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — The Raptors 905 have announced on their Twitter page that they will be returning to Canada. G-League basketball will resume in Mississauga after a year and a half layoff. The news should not come as a surprise to most. Within the last month, all professional sports teams have been given the green light by the federal government to open stadiums to fans and play home games.

The 2021-22 season is scheduled to kick off next month with back-to-back home games against the Westchester Knicks on Nov. 11 and 12. The return of the G- League will benefit nobody more than the Raptors and the proof is in the pudding. Having an affiliate team 30 minutes away at the Paramount Centre in Mississauga is a pivotal reason the Raptors were able to win their first ring. Masai Ujiri saw it as a priority to have both a G- League team and practice facility when he signed to be the general manager of the Raptors.

The 905 have produced Chris Boucher, Fred VanVleet, Most Improved Player award winner Pascal Siakam, and Coach of the Year Nick Nurse, all former prospects who are now key parts of a team one season removed from 50 wins.

This year, Patrick Mutombo will take over the reins as head coach after serving his dues as Toronto Raptors assistant coach the last four years. His job is simple: turn fringe NBA-caliber players into solid rotations players like the 905 has a reputation of doing.

There is certainly reason to be excited about this season. The Raptors have a group of young prospects as well as two-way players who appear to be headed for Mississauga’s Paramount Fine Food Centre. Many Raptors’ fans were wondering if this year’s fourth overall draft pick Scottie Barnes would have to spend time in the G- League. Coming in, Scottie was a surprise pick to many, his offense has often been labeled non-existent and a couple years away. After an impressive performance over the summer league don’t expect to see Scottie suiting up for the 905 any time soon.

Instead, look out for Canadian and Summer League standout Dalon Banton who is expected to handle point full time. Dalon is a 6-foot-9 point guard out of Rexdale. The No. 46 pick is a versatile guard who uses his agility and length to see over the defense and get to the rim at will. He showed glimpses of his all-around game averaging 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds to go along with two steals over five games played in the Vegas Summer League. The 905 will look to develop his shot after shooting just 41% from the FT. Fellow second-rounder and back court partner David Johnson will be looking to prove doubters wrong and bounce back after a disappointing showing in Vegas.

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