The Toronto Raptors opened their week-long training camp in Quebec City with an active morning session at Laval University’s PEPS gymnasium, blending on-court preparations with local cultural immersion. Led by head coach Darko Rajakovic and featuring star player Kawhi Leonard, the team’s arrival in the provincial capital marks the start of preparations for the upcoming campaign following a 46-36 record and a first-round playoff exit against the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.
Training Camp Opens at Laval University
The Raptors kicked off their week-long camp on Tuesday morning at the Amphithéâtre-Gymnase Desjardins at Laval University. Media members were permitted to observe the final minutes of the workout. The squad has largely avoided major health hurdles to start camp, though Nate Bittle and Andrew Jackson missed Tuesday’s session, while Alijah Martin and Kawhi Leonard participated in a limited capacity without contact drills.
For young players like 21-year-old forward Collin Murray-Boyles, sharing the floor with established veterans provides an immediate benchmark. “C’est un joueur exceptionnel,” Murray-Boyles said of Leonard. “Il évolue dans la ligue depuis tellement longtemps et il y a connu énormément de succès. C’est fascinant de le voir s’entraîner. Le fait qu’il soit là depuis si longtemps tout en continuant de ne négliger aucun petit détail pour se surpasser, c’est vraiment impressionnant.”
Local Roots and Cultural Immersion
Forward R.J. Barrett has embraced an ambassador role during the team’s stay in Quebec City. Barrett, whose father spent four years playing professional basketball in France, speaks fluent French after learning the language in his early childhood. Having recently visited the city on August 31 with the Canadian national team during FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying matches, the Ontario native expressed enthusiasm for the team’s temporary home.
“On est très excités d’être ici,” Barrett said. “J’étais ici il y a quelques semaines avec l’équipe canadienne, et je suis content d’être de retour!” Barrett confirmed he will see game action during the camp’s exhibition schedule, including an intra-squad scrimmage at PEPS on Thursday and a matchup against Miami on Saturday. Aside from basketball, the team’s itinerary includes a promotional stop scheduled for Friday morning at Chez Gaston, a traditional diner on Dorchester Street in the Saint-Roch neighborhood, to sample local poutine.
Rajakovic Prepares Squad for Regular Season
Head coach Darko Rajakovic, the first European head coach to direct a full NBA season and lead a team to the playoffs, praised the host city’s atmosphere. “C’est vraiment magnifique,” Rajakovic said. “Québec est une ville formidable. C’est la première fois que je viens ici, mais j’ai beaucoup d’amis qui y ont séjourné en vacances ou le temps d’un week-end. J’ai hâte d’explorer la ville et de mieux la découvrir.”
Rajakovic emphasized that traveling outside Toronto serves a vital purpose for team chemistry ahead of the regular season. “Chaque fois que nous sortons de Toronto pour aller dans une autre ville canadienne, c’est une expérience formidable pour nous,” Rajakovic noted. “C’est une belle occasion d’échanger avec les partisans. C’est aussi bon pour la cohésion d’équipe, ça peut juste être bon de mieux connaître les différentes régions du Canada.”
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