When Brampton, Ontario, AJ Lawson’s native officially signed a contract with the Toronto Raptors this spring, he called his parents on the phone and said: “I am returning home.”
“The youngest version of myself would probably tell you: ‘In no way,'” Lawson told CBC Sports. “But at the same time, I always thought I would be in the NBA one day, no matter what team.”
Lawson was not recruited in the NBA Draft of 2021 after playing two years for South Carolina University. From there, he had periods in the CEBL, then for the Minnesota Timbervolves, the Dallas Mavericks and Raptors 905.
The 25 -year -old was playing in the G League for the Long Island Nets when he received the call to play in Toronto.
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In March, Lawson scored 32 points from the Raptors bank against the Washington Wizards, a maximum race motivated by the aim of demonstrating his value on the court.
“The helpless mentality. I have always wanted to be a better version of myself every day. I feel that the opportunity I had with the Raptors … I went out, I saw my family in the crowd, was all that motivation I needed there,” Lawson said.
City children who stay local
While he says he hopes to play with the entire list of the Raptors, Lawson is perhaps more familiar with one: his childhood teammate, RJ Barrett.
Toronto’s two children played together for the Brampton Warriors, and in the 9th grade in St. Marguerite d’Eeville in Brampton.
Lawson also briefly played with Shai Gilgous-Alexander de Toronto, who is the best contender for the MVP of the League for his Oklahoma City Thunder season.
“It simply shows that the Canadians obtained the game. 10 years ago so far, I feel that we triple, we quaduple the number of Canadians in the NBA and only shows that Canadians can do,” he said.
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Olympic dreams
Lawson lasts represented Canada in the FIBA 2023 Basketball World Cup qualifiers in 2021.
He says that competing for the country gives an “additional impulse” to his game, and his goal is to be part of the list that represents Canada in the next summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“My goal is to be in the 2028 Olympic Games,” he said. “I feel that I can definitely help the team, only my spirit, defensive energy and offensive game, I feel that I can be a key part of that team.”
