Vince Carter’s highlight-reel dunks for the Toronto Raptors in the early 2000s inspired a generation of Canadian basketball players.
“Carter put basketball on the map in a very hockey-based country, we are now seeing how that has reaped benefits for our generation,” Nurse said in a video conference with reporters. “Now we have all these players who are not only just playing at the highest level, but are playing in successful roles on successful teams at the highest level.Kilmer Sports Ventures paid US$115-million for the WNBA franchise.
“I think this organization with the WNBA Toronto team will do the same thing, and be able to branch out and allow Canadians across the country to cheer for them, but also to be able to see them in person,” she said. “It’s so important to have those role models, and to have those role models within the building that you can be able to see is going to be really important.”
“If you can see it, then you can be it,” said Nurse on the importance of having professional women’s basketball in Canada. “I think that’s a big piece of it, is having those role models.