Title: Raptors’ Freddie Gillespie takes unbeaten path from DIII to the NBA: ‘He’s not a normal kid’
Date: April 13, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Freddie Gillespie’s unlikely path to the NBA, from chess club through Division III basketball and eventually to the Raptors. Read an excerpt!
Title: DeAndre’ Bembry, the Raptors’ king of good vibes: ‘Just bringing good, positive energy’
Date: April 6, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about how DeAndre’ Bembry maintains his positivity and how his energy raises thoe around him. Read an excerpt!
Title: One-on-one with Raptors 905 GM Chad Sanders: Player development in a pandemic, 10-day contract decisions, more
Date: April 2, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I sat down (kinda) with Raptors 905 GM Chad Sanders to discuss a host of Raptors player development topics. Read an excerpt!
Title: Malachi Flynn eager to follow Fred VanVleet’s path from 905 to Raptors star
Date: February 9, 2021
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Malachi Flynn’s approach to his first G League assignment and the lessons the Raptors’ 905 alumni passed down. Read an excerpt!
Title: The Raptors are becoming a hot ticket for Tampa’s NBA fans
Date: December 23, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I spoke to NBA fans in Tampa about the Raptors’ temporary move there and what it means to them. Read an excerpt!
Title: Raptors’ first game in Tampa shows there will be an adjustment period
Date: December 23, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about the scene in Tampa for the Raptors’ “home” opener and the adjustment period ahead. Read an excerpt!
Title: Toronto to Tampa, in 6 weeks: Inside the Raptors frantic COVID-19 relocation
Date: December 22, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I went to Tampa to go deep inside the Raptors’ whirlwind relocation for the start of the 2020-21 NBA season. Read an excerpt!
Title: Inside the Raptors’ making of The Bubble: An Open Gym Documentary
Date: December 9, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I went inside the process of making an Open Gym documentary about the Raptors’ bubble experience. Read an excerpt!
Title: Raptors’ Paul Watson hopes training time with NBA stars is about to pay off
Date: December 2, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, I wrote about Paul Watson Jr.’s offseason spent with Pascal Siakam, Rico Hines and NBA superstars in the hopes he can crack the Raptors rotation this year. Read an excerpt!
Title: The Raptors embrace their move to Tampa: ‘I can’t not be excited about it’
Date: December 1, 2020
Original Source: The Athletic
Synopsis: In my latest for The Athletic Toronto, David Aldridge and I broke down the complicating factors in the Raptors’ move to Tampa. Read an excerpt!
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 