'Dream bigger': Newest member of Toronto Raptors hopes to be role model for kids in Rexdale
As the newest member of the Toronto Raptors—and the first Canadian drafted to the team—Dalano Banton hopes to be a role model for kids in his old neighbourhood.
The six-foot-nine and 204-pound guard grew up in Rexdale, near the intersection of Kipling Avenue and Mount Olive Drive. While speaking with reporters on Sunday afternoon at his first news conference as a Raptor, Banton said that his upbringing in that neighbourhood made him the person he was today, describing the community as a “tight knit family.”
“I feel like just having to pick the image of like Canada or Toronto or wherever, it just has this only this one side of it, where everyone's like, super nice, but not understanding that there's real neighborhoods where you have to come out and you know, put on like a tough face,” he said.
“You have to bet on yourself and believe in yourself. Because if you don't, you know, no one's going to do it for you. I learned that at an early age and just to put my mind to something and keep going.”
For Banton, who said the Toronto Raptors was his “favourite team” growing up, this moment was a dream come true, especially for a kid who started his career playing across the street from where he lived at the Rexdale Community Hub, and then the North Kipling Community Centre.
“Just being able to take advantage of those community centers to just keep yourself off the street, keep yourself out of trouble you know, I feel like that was the blessing for me that I had those community centers to just keep me in the gym,” the 21-year-old said. “The same gyms that you're going to today could go a long way if you just keep your mind to it. So it's not about where you are, it's about where you plan to be.”
“Dream bigger, you know, plan to live bigger. That's what I always did.”
Banton even kept his neighbourhood in mind when choosing his jersey—a tribute to the 45 Kipling TTC bus he often took while in Rexdale.
“When I was trying to think of a number that means something to me, I was kind of getting tired of just wearing numbers. I feel like you can always make meaning of something, so I felt like once that clicked to me it stuck,” he said.
During his sophomore season for Nebraska last year, Banton averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.