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    Toronto Raptors: NBA's melting pot led by Nigerian with world on his shoulders

    By Motez Bishara, CNN

    Updated 1948 GMT (0348 HKT) January 21, 2016

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    Toronto Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia receives the game ball from Piccolo the Elephant as part of the annual Baisakhi Day celebration of the Sikh New Year hosted by the team at the Air Canada Centre.
    Photos: Canada's multicultural basketball team
    Toronto Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia receives the game ball from Piccolo the Elephant as part of the annual Baisakhi Day celebration of the Sikh New Year hosted by the team at the Air Canada Centre.
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    Raptors president and GM Masai Ujiri -- who was born in Nigeria -- relishes his role as the leader of a diverse team, and says the NBA will eventually feature many Africa-born players. He is pictured at the Basketball Without Borders Africa camp in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 2015.
    Photos: Canada's multicultural basketball team
    Raptors president and GM Masai Ujiri -- who was born in Nigeria -- relishes his role as the leader of a diverse team, and says the NBA will eventually feature many Africa-born players. He is pictured at the Basketball Without Borders Africa camp in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 2015.
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    Rap star Drake -- a Toronto native and big Raptors fan -- hosts an annual Drake night at the Air Canada Centre. He is seen cheering on the team in a 2014 first-round playoff game against the Brooklyn Nets.
    Photos: Canada's multicultural basketball team
    Rap star Drake -- a Toronto native and big Raptors fan -- hosts an annual Drake night at the Air Canada Centre. He is seen cheering on the team in a 2014 first-round playoff game against the Brooklyn Nets.
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    Argentinian Luis Scola of the Toronto Raptors has enjoyed life in Canada with his wife and four kids. "You get to know different people, speak different languages, you get to know a new country, the history, the culture, a new city. You get to know a lot of new places, exciting places," he told the Toronto Star.
    Photos: Canada's multicultural basketball team
    Argentinian Luis Scola of the Toronto Raptors has enjoyed life in Canada with his wife and four kids. "You get to know different people, speak different languages, you get to know a new country, the history, the culture, a new city. You get to know a lot of new places, exciting places," he told the Toronto Star.
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    Guard DeMar DeRozan (#10) is one of two Toronto Raptors to make an All-Star appearance, along with Kyle Lowry. The backcourt mates will be gunning for All-Star spots when Toronto hosts the exhibition game in February.
    Photos: Canada's multicultural basketball team
    Guard DeMar DeRozan (#10) is one of two Toronto Raptors to make an All-Star appearance, along with Kyle Lowry. The backcourt mates will be gunning for All-Star spots when Toronto hosts the exhibition game in February.
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    Traditionally the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs have been the hot ticket in town, with regular sellouts over the decades. But a new wave of immigrants have gravitated to the more accessible Raptors of the NBA.
    Photos: Canada's multicultural basketball team
    Traditionally the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs have been the hot ticket in town, with regular sellouts over the decades. But a new wave of immigrants have gravitated to the more accessible Raptors of the NBA.
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