June 13, 2019: the Toronto Raptors win their first NBA Championship in a nail-biter against the Golden State Warriors. In some ways, this basketball crown was a long time coming. In others, it was another chapter in the long epic that is b-ball in Toronto, and more broadly, Canada.
Basketball in our city is a story of people, cultures, art, and style. From the post-Second World War immigrants who embraced (and continue to embrace) the game, to the high school gyms of district champs like Eastern Commerce, and legends like Vince Carter and Jamaal Magloire, basketball in Toronto is as varied as its communities, and the perfect metaphor for our metropolitan multiculturalism.
Toronto’s Basketball Story Like You’ve Never Seen It
Video
• 0:54
Toronto Tempo
Video
• 4:43
Toronto Culture
Video
• 4:17
The Raptors’ Early Years
Video
• 3:57
The Raptors Effect
Video
• 4:37
The Lone Canadian Team
Video
• 1:40
Ro Russell
Video
• 7:53
Reflections from Perry King & Sarah Bay-Cheng
Video
• 12:36
Race
Video
• 6:06
Prep Schools
Video
• 10:35
Oakwood Barons
Video
• 11:14
Mapping Toronto
Video
• 30:04
Jamaal Magloire
Video
• 1:37
Infrastructure & Development
Video
• 9:30
HOOPQUEENS & U Sports Ball
Video
• 6:24
Hip-Hop & Basketball
Video
• 2:56
Eastern Commerce
Video
• 16:04
Diversity & Multiculturalism
Video
• 9:55
Community Organizations
Video
• 3:42
Canadian Representation
Video
• 4:21
Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL)
Video
• 2:14
Canada Basketball
Video
• 6:54
Breaking Down Barriers
Video
• 8:14
Before the Raptors
Video
• 2:20
Basketball Culture
Video
• 5:19
Accessibility
Video
• 5:34
Toronto’s sneaker culture gained momentum in the 1980s and 1990s, mirroring the global phenomenon sparked by iconic basketball shoes. The introduction of Air Jordans in 1985 marked a turning point, transforming athletic footwear into coveted fashion items. These shoes, endorsed by Michael Jordan, became symbols of style and status, transcending their original purpose as performance gear for the court.
The city’s embrace of sneaker culture was further amplified by the establishment of the Toronto Raptors in 1995. As basketball’s popularity grew, so did the demand for stylish and performance-oriented footwear. This trend was not limited to professional athletes; it permeated street fashion, hip-hop culture, and everyday wear.
Curatorial Team
Home Game: Toronto Loves Basketball was co-curated by Sarah Bay-Cheng, Kayla Grey, and Perry King.
Research & Interviews
Additionally, special thanks go to Katie Heindl for research support and to our interviewees whose stories shaped the exhibition: Luke Galati, Dalton Higgins, Jamaal Magloire, Anthony Miller, Lee Anna Osei, Chris Penrose, Ro Russell, Lou Sialtsis, Tamara Tatham, and Alex Wong.
Featured Artists
We recognize the talented artists whose work is featured: Casey Bannerman, Briony Douglas, Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis, O’Shane Howard, Mark Stoddart, Mallory Torcher, and Kelly Wan.
Museum Team
The exhibition was conceptualized and developed by Museum of Toronto. We are: Davida Aronovitch, Elizabeth D’Agostino, Bria Dietrich, Davin Henson, Rachel Hilton, Heidi Reitmaier, Aditi Sharma, Simon Termine, Sarah Tumaliuan, Supriya Vijay Mitnasala, and Ethelle White.
Exhibition Designers
Exhibition design by elsonstudio: Christine Elson, Vicdan Okman, George Wang. Graphic design by Yazmin Butcher. Interpretive planning led by Laura Robb, and consultancy by conservator Ada Hopkins. Build by Anex Custom Carpentry, Seán Kirwan Carpentry, Timothy Manalo, and Huy Lam.
As a non-profit cultural institution, Museum of Toronto would like to acknowledge the incredible work of those featured in the exhibition. This exhibition is designed for teaching, scholarship, education, and research purposes only. Our intent is to present an engaging experience that respects the rights of creators, and fosters a spirit of shared knowledge through the “fair dealing” under the Copyright Act of Canada.
