WATCH — Raptors President Masai Ujiri on the future of basketball in Canada

Although the Raptors’ championship win in 2019 may feel like a while ago now, we could see the impact of that historic moment in years to come.

That’s according to Masai Ujiri, the president of the Toronto Raptors.

At a news conference in Tampa Bay, Fla., on Sunday, Ujiri talked to me about the legacy of the Raptors’ big day.

Watch the two-minute video here, or keep reading for the highlights:

The Vince Carter connection

There’s a question that’s been on my mind for awhile.

“The Raptors championship win back in 2019, it captured the attention of kids all across Canada,” I said. 

“Do you think that surge of interest in the game will bring more Canadians out?”

Masai Ujiri at his pre-season press conference on Dec. 5, 2020. (Image Credit: Toronto Raptors)

Ujiri called that an “incredible question” and said this is something he’s actually been looking into.

He related it to a similar situation with Vince Carter, an American who played for the Raptors from 1998 to 2004.

Vince Carter is considered one of the best players to ever suit up for the Raptors, and he captured widespread attention for his amazing slam dunks, winning the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

“There were so many kids that were inspired by what he did and what he brought to the Raptors,” Ujiri said.

Vince Carter performing a dunk at the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. (Image Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

“You see so many who have come out and become players, whether it be the Jamal Murrays of the world or the Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]s of the world.”

Ujiri drew a comparison between the impact Carter had to the potential impact the championship could have. 

“I’m just telling you that in eight years, in 10 years, there’s going to be lots and lots and lots of great basketball players coming out of this program,” Ujiri said.

“They’re going to be Canadian and they’re going to be immigrants and they’re going to be people that have lived over here and love the game.”

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray attempts a lay-up while Lakers forward LeBron James looks on. (Image Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Canada rising

And you don’t need to look far to find Canadian talent already in the NBA.

Not only do we see Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander, but Chris Boucher and RJ Barrett have also made their mark.

In fact, there are more than 20 Canadians currently active in the NBA, which has led all countries outside of the United States with the most international players since the 2014-15 season.

Sherman Hamilton, a Raptors analyst for NBA TV, TSN and Sportsnet, said Canadians should expect to see more young people picking up a basketball and getting involved.

“We have such a deep pool of talent and we’ve seen that over the last few years,” said Hamilton.

“Basketball in this country has been growing and the fact that [the Raptors] won a championship, it has such a huge following across the country.”

Kyle Lowry holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy during the 2019 Raptors championship parade in Toronto. (Image Credit: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Rowan Barrett has also seen an uptick in participation from young Canadian players and coaches.

He’s the father of Canadian basketball star RJ Barrett and general manager of the Canadian national basketball team. 

“The participation has consistently been on the rise,” he said.

Rowan Barrett, right, the current general manager of Canada’s senior men’s basketball Team, played for Team Canada at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. (Image Credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

“The more players you play and the better coaches you get, the more the level of basketball grows in your country,” Barrett said.

He added that he hopes that attention will bring more money to help develop young athletes.

TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images with design by Philip Street/CBC