toronto raptors black lives matter

Toronto Raptors wearing Black Lives Matter instead of player names on team uniforms

Among all the other changes coming for the restart of the NBA season in Orlando, one thing that has flown somewhat under the radar is that players are allowed to replace their names on the back of their uniforms with an NBA approved social justice slogan.

The policy came in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the mass outpouring of support against anti-Black racism after the killing of George Floyd.

The new policy is not without controversy. Toronto Raptor Norm Powell has criticized the slogans as "cookie-cutter" and says players should have been allowed to include a slogan of their choosing.

Instead, the NBA provided players with a list if 29 slogans that will appear on the back of their uniforms where their last name usually goes.

As the Raptors get set to tip-off in their first scrimmage tonight against the Houston Rockets, it's now been revealed what slogans will appear on the back of each player's uniform when the season restarts.

  • Dewan Hernandez, Black Lives Matter
  • Malcolm Miller, Black Lives Matter
  • Norm Powell, Black Lives Matter
  • Pascal Siakam, Black Lives Matter
  • Matt Thomas, Black Lives Matter
  • Fred VanVleet, Black Lives Matter
  • Paul Watson, Black Lives Matter
  • Kyle Lowry, Education Reform
  • Stanley Johnson, Equality
  • Marc Gasol, Justice
  • Oshae Brissett. Respect Us
  • OG Anunoby, Say Their Names
  • Patrick McCaw, Say Their Names
  • Chris Boucher, See Us
  • Terence Davis, Speak Up
  • Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Speak Up
  • Serge Ibaka, Respectez Biso (French dialect of "Respect Us")

Earlier this week, Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri explained to TNT why the Raptors have been the most prominent NBA team in their support of Black Lives Matter, including printing the message on their buses.

Ujiri said it was important for the team to "make a statement", "create awareness" and reflect "what's going on in the country."

Lead photo by

Toronto Raptors


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

Fans think rich people killed the vibe at Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff game

The top 50 weekend getaways from Toronto

Leafs announcer calls out Toronto crowd as 'very disappointing'

Toronto Sun receiving heavy backlash for latest Leafs cover page

Auston Matthews' game-winning goal for Leafs left Bruins announcer speechless

What to expect at Toronto Maple Leafs tailgates outside Scotiabank Arena

Someone went on a rant about 'outrageous' food prices at Toronto's Rogers Centre

Mississauga wants an NHL team to compete with the Leafs