Saint Leo University is now the temporary home to an unlikely tenant: The Toronto Raptors.

What You Need To Know

  • Toronto Raptors moving to Tampa Bay for the season

  • Decision due to Canada-US border restrictions

  • St. Leo offering top-notch facilities

  • Team will play regular season at Amalie Arena

  • PREVIOUS COVERAGE

The NBA team is holding its pre-season training camp there, as they get ready for their regular season in Tampa. 

It turns out the Raptors are no stranger to Saint Leo Men’s Basketball Coach Lance Randall.

He goes back 20 years with Raptors coach Nick Nurse. The two coached together in Europe.

Coach Randall offered Saint Leo’s facilities to help out the Raptors as they get ready to compete in their temporary home of Tampa. The Raptors will play at Amalie Arena due to coronavirus border restrictions between Canada and United States.  

“I think it’s a great honor to have a championship-caliber team like the Raptors on our campus,” Randall said in an interview. “There’s a real fraternity of coaches helping each other out.”  

One of the reasons the Raptors decided to practice at St. Leo is due to the high quality of the facilities at the Marion Bowman Activities Center. St. Leo uses the same quality of court that the Miami Heat use.

In addition to that, COVID-19 protocols have been followed very strongly on campus.  

It’s also big exposure – the good kind, of course – for Saint Leo and for Pasco County, which is branding itself as Florida’s Sports Coast.

County Commissioner Mike Moore welcomed Toronto with a Twitter video.

“We’re thrilled that you chose St. Leo University for this year’s training camp. The entire team and staff, you’re going to love the beautiful campus there,” Moore said.

While practices are closed to the public, athletics officials feel a professional team being on campus speaks to the quality of the school and the programs it offers.

“We’re really a gem here in eastern Pasco County. Beautiful campus. Great facilities and professors. It shines a spotlight on us and we love that,” Randall said.

The Toronto Raptors are practicing at Saint Leo until the 11th. The college team is practicing off campus to give the Raptors the room and safety they need.

The school is also hoping to have some access to the Raptors for their student athletes.