The Nike Crown League has always drawn a mix of hometown heroes and NBA talent.
This year, the likes of newly-signed Miami Heat big man Kelly Olynyk, Raptors sophomore forward Pascal Siakam, and Raptors 905 star Brady Heslip suited up in the annual summer pro-am league held in Toronto every summer.
But fans were treated to a surprise at the Crown League finals on Friday night when Raptors guards Norman Powell and Delon Wright appeared at Ryerson university’s Kerr Hall and suited up for M.A.D.E, a team that features a pair of former Canadian national team members in point guards Jermaine Anderson and Juniour Cadougan.
Unsurprisingly, in a title matchup versus 6man, whose players include national team member Olu Famutimi, NBL Canada star Morgan Lewis, and New Mexico State alumni Christian Kabongo and Ronaldo Dixon, the Raptors duo made a big impact on the court. Behind 22 points from Powell and an equally strong showing from Wright, M.A.D.E took home the crown, 86-74.
Rise for the city. @npowell2404 drops 22 points to lead M.A.D.E. to the as #CrownLeague Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/bSSCoK5Tuh
— Nike Toronto (@NikeToronto) July 29, 2017
Raptors Republic’s Vivek Jacob has more:
After 6Man had overcome a sizable early deficit to trail 49-47 in the second half, [Wright] hit a catch-and-shoot three from the left wing and a pull-up triple on their next possession after sizing up his defender. He added another shot from downtown off the bounce just a couple of possessions later, putting the contest to bed.
“It was a good atmosphere,” Wright said after the game. “I’ve never played in this league before, but next year I’ll try and play again.”
That can only bode well for Crown League organizers and for basketball in the city of Toronto, as fans can come out on a summer night and watch their fellow Canadians and very own Raptors inspire them for free. Pascal Siakam made an appearance during the semifinals, and Kelly Olynyk caused a stir in Week 3 with a buzzer-beating game-winner to cap off a 38 point night. In addition to the pros, this was the first time the Crown League was NCAA certified, allowing college players to participate in the tournament.
Both Wright and Powell are poised for big seasons with the Raptors, where they’ll be relied upon more than ever and should both see significant minutes. Powell may start alongside DeMar DeRozan on the wing, but if Dwane Casey elects to go with newcomer C.J. Miles in the starting lineup, then it most likely casts Powell as the first player off the Raps’ bench.
Wright, meanwhile, is solidified as Toronto’s backup point guard behind starter Kyle Lowry. How well Wright responds to a new and consistent role can go a long way to allowing Lowry to rest more this season to stay healthy for a playoff run. If the Crown League is any indication, at the very least Wright will have the fans jumping out of their seats with plays like this:
Delon Wright with the no look dish at #CrownLeague
(@athletesofto)pic.twitter.com/wQlCU7Lb6k
— Raptorr (@Raptornian) July 29, 2017