Shortly after being selected with the No. 5 over-all pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, new Raptor Jonas Valanciunas spoke to Toronto media for the first time via conference call. Calling in from New York, Valanciunas talked about his idol, Arvydas Sabonis, and addresses complications pertaining to his buyout from his Lithuanian club.

DeMar DeRozan was in Toronto this week to meet with new Raptors head coach Dwane Casey and to serve as a celebrity judge for the All-Canadian Classic dunk contest. Speaking to the media prior to the 2011 NBA Draft on Thursday, DeRozan offered his thoughts on his new coach and reflected on his draft experience two years ago.

James Johnson spoke to the media in Toronto on Thursday prior to the 2011 NBA Draft. He detailed his grueling, new ’navy seals-style’ training regiment  and talked about his desire to improve and embrace a bigger role on the team.

San Diego State alum Kawhi Leonard spoke to the media in Toronto after working out for the Raptors on Wednesday. Leonard, who could be an option for the team at No. 5, talked about some of his NBA player comps and offered his thoughts on the draft experience.

Brampton, ON native and former Longhorn Tristan Thompson was the star attraction for local Toronto media during his workout with the Raptors on Wednesday that also featured Kawhi Leonard, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris and life-long friend Cory Joseph. Speaking to the media afterwards, Thompson talked about Joseph and the bright future of Canadian basketball.

Toronto Raptors Director of Scouting Jim Kelly spoke to local media once again after the latest set of workouts, which saw the team host Kawhi Leonard, Tristan Thompson, Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris, Cory Joseph and Demontez Stitt. Calling it “the most competitive workout thus far”, Kelly described what impressed him about the draft candidates.

Texas PG and Brampton, ON native Cory Joseph returned to the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday for a pre-draft workout with the Raptors. Speaking to media afterwards, Joseph talked about being a traditional point guard and his life-long friendship with fellow draftee and Texas alum Tristan Thompson.

Kansas PF Marcus Morris was in Toronto on Wednesday for a pre-draft workout that also included Kawhi Leonard, Tristan Thompson and Tobias Harris . Speaking to the media after his workout, Morris discussed his game and talked about his twin brother, Markieff.

Former Tennessee PF Tobias Harris was in Toronto on Wednesday as part of a loaded workout that also included Kawhi Leonhard, Tristan Thompson and Marcus Morris. The projected mid-to-late first rounder talked about his all-around game, as well as being one of the draft’s high risers.

This afternoon Charles Barkley chatted with the media about LeBron James “struggling” in the NBA Finals, he shared his interest in becoming an NBA owner in the future Mark Jackson being hired by the Golden State Warriors, the possibility of Shaquille O’Neal joining the TNT crew, why he hopes Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd to [...]