Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Toronto Raptors!

My little brother gave me an idea for this post.  He first suggested that I compare some of the Toronto Raptors with a type or brand of beer.  Only problem is that, because I don’t know them personally, it wouldn’t be right to compare them to an actual beer. 

But then I thought, “Hey, why don’t I find out what the top 5 breweries are from the player’s hometown instead. And my lil bro approved.

So I took to social media and asked, “Who are your current favourite Raptors players.”  And here is the list of the top 5 breweries either in or around their hometown according to Untappd.

Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles, California

Born Kawhi Anthony Leonard on June 29, 1991 in Los Angeles, California. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers as 15^th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft but was later traded to the San Antonio Spurs the same day.  After 7 seasons with the Spurs, he was then traded to the Toronto Raptors and is now considered an all-time favourite in the “Six”.

Top 5 Breweries:

• Three Chiefs Brewing Co.
• Monkish Brewing Co.
• Cellador Ales
• Highland Park Brewery
• Modern Times Beer

Kyle Lowry – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Kyle Lowry was born March 25, 1986 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He was selected by the Memphis Grizzles in the 2006 NBA draft as the 24^th pick.  In 2011, Lowry was traded to the Toronto Raptors.

Top 5 Breweries:

• Fermentery Form
• Crime & Punishment Brewing
• Tired Hands Brewing Company
• Odd Logic Brewing Company
• Separatist Beer Project

Pascal Siakim – Douala, Cameroon

Pascal Siakam was born April 2, 1994 in Douala, Cameroon. 

Recently named “Spicy P”, he was selected in the 2016 NBA draft and was the 27^th overall pick for the Toronto Raptors.

In Cameroon, there is only one brewery:  Les Brasseries du Cameroun.

Marc Gasol – Barcelona, Spain  

Born Marc Gasol Sáez on January 29, 1985 and was drafted 48^th overall to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA draft.  He was then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 before he moved on to the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

Top 5 breweries:  

• Garage Beer Co.
• Edge Brewing Barcelona
• Brew Pub Le Sec
• La Mes Petita
• Caravelle

Fred VanVleet Sr. – Rockford, Illinois

Fred VanVleet Sr. was born February 25, 1994.  He was drafted in the 2016 NBA draft.  He signed to play in the NBA Summer League with the Toronto Raptors and later that year he signed a multi-year deal with the Raptors.

He recently welcomed a baby boy and that’s how he added the ‘Senior’ to his name.

Top 5 breweries:

• Hairy Cow Brewing Company
• Carlyle Brewing Co.
• Pig Minds Brewing Co.
• Prairie Street Brewing Company
• Off-Kilter Brewing

Bonus:  Nick Nurse – Carroll, Iowa

Although he is not a Toronto Raptors player, he is the head coach and people love him.

Nurse was born on July 24, 1967 in Carroll, Iowa.  He got his first head coaching job at Grand View University when he was only 23 years old.   

In July 2013, he got an assistant job on the coaching staff of the Toronto Raptors under Dwane Casey.  He was then promoted to Head Coach in 2017-2018 season.

Top 5 breweries:

• Carroll Brewing Co. 
• Iowa Brewing Co.
• Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
• Confluence Brewing Company
• Backpocket Brewing

If you know of a brewery from the hometown of these Toronto Raptors, let me know.

Let’s go Raptors!  #WeTheNorth

And if you haven’t been paying attention, the series is tied at 1. Game 3 goes Wednesday night in Oakland.

Cheers!