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The 2019 NBA champions spent a couple of months in Orlando — about an hour and 10 minutes east of Tampa – in the bubble before being eliminated by Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals. (The Raptors were also the first non-Florida team on the ground in the Sunshine State, having held camp at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers in late June.) They have some recent intel on life in Florida. But this is still going to be a major disruption. While the NBA’s other 29 teams will have at least some sense of normalcy being back in their home arenas this season, the Raptors will be displaced — again — and likely practicing at hotels and other makeshift locations. How big will Toronto’s competitive disadvantage be?
Toronto Raptors equipment manager Paul Elliott prides himself on typically taking only what he needs. He tends to take 45 bags on a standard road trip; by NBA standards, that is packing light. Not this time. For this trip, Elliott's count was 176 bags. And while most teams only had to move their operation once - from their home facility to Disney - Elliott had to pack the Raptors up twice, first from Toronto to their pre-camp workouts at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, and then again to get the stuff up to Disney. ''I looked at it as what they were going to take for a two-week Western road trip, took what I would usually pack for that, and kind of quadrupled it,'' Elliott said. ''I just had to make sure I had enough options for these guys to accommodate them when they need. I just want to be prepared.''
The Raptors have made their settings in Naples as safe as possible, training at Florida Gulf Coast University in small groups and living in a hotel that opened only for the Raptors, and will house only the Raptors for the duration of their stay until next week, when they head to Orlando. VanVleet said he was the first player to arrive, and it was very strange being one of only five or so people staying in a hotel. The Raptors have 45 people in Naples, with only 37 of them allowed in the bubble in Orlando.
From within: The Raptors will open their training camp at Florida Gulf Coast University in Naples, Florida. I’m told they’re expected to arrive on June 23. Reconvening in the U.S. (instead of in their home city, like other teams) made most logistical sense.
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Kerstie Phills’ warmth shines through in her short video introduction to FGCU fans. “I got into basketball ever since I was 6 years old,” says Phills, her voice and smile bright as she goes on to explain her family legacy, which some might already know. “My dad played in the NBA.”
“I never got to know my dad,” said Kerstie, 20, a redshirt sophomore who transferred to FGCU in the summer of 2017 after a strong freshman season at Wagner University in Staten Island, New York. “I know that he worked very hard in his career in just getting to the NBA. My mom always tells me that I’m a reflection of my father. I play for him, every single game that I play.”
Chris Haynes: ESPN Sources: Undrafted rookie guard Brandon Goodwin out of FGCU has agreed to play for Memphis Grizzlies’ Summer League team.
Peter Edmiston: Another workout tomorrow at FedExForum [for the Grizzlies]: A.J. Davis (UCF), Wenyen Gabriel (Kentucky), Brandon Goodwin (Florida Gulf Coast), Devonte’ Graham (Kansas), Terry Larrier (Connecticut), Ray Spalding (Louisville)
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Haanif Cheatham has declared for the NBA draft but will not hire agent to leave open the possibility of returning to Florida Gulf Coast.
Florida Gulf Coast University's Brandon Goodwin has withdrawn from the 2017 NBA Draft, the school announced Wednesday, and will return to the Eagles for the upcoming season.
Jeff Goodman: Florida Gulf Coast’s Brandon Goodwin told ESPN he will withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to school. 18.5 ppg.
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