In a year full over new jerseys, new court designs and new replay centers, the Toronto Raptors decided to bring back something from the past to change things up a bit.
The old school jerseys they haven’t worn in more than 15 years will come out of the closet for a matchup on Friday, November 7th when the Washington Wizards travel up north. The Raps will wear the original road purple unis for the first time since May 4, 1999. The Raptors’ inaugural season was in 1995-96.
Possibly one of the coolest, if not the coolest, uniforms in pro sports in my opinion. The inaugural jerseys featured the image of a raptor dribbling a basketball on the front of the jersey with “Raptors” in unique script across the top, back when the NBA used team logos to put on the front of jerseys.
DeMar DeRozan, Toronto’s rising star guard/forward, who made his first all-star appearance last year, posted this photo of the back of the jersey on his Instagram and Twitter on Thursday.
Friday marks the 20th anniversary of the team’s first game in Toronto as the Raptors, the reason in which the retro uniforms will be worn. Fans who attend the game will also receive a throwback purple t-shirt featuring every name of every player in Raptor’s history in the form of their claw logo.
You can read more about the event and the jerseys at the Raptors’ official site.