Toronto Raptors Notes, Quotes 2009-07-02 News Toronto raptors

--Before power forward Reggie Evans became a Raptor, Toronto star Chris Bosh said he didn't like Evans. "That just shows you that I must be doing something right for Chris... to make that comment," Evans said. Evans, acquired on June 9 from Philadelphia, has a long list of NBA players who don't care too much for him. That's because Evans plays a very aggressive style of basketball, one some call dirty. Evans already is drawing comparisons with rugged forward Charles Oakley, who played for the Raptors from 1998-2001. "I've got a lot of respect for his game," Evans said of Oakley. "Charles Oakley was real good. I looked at him a lot playing, especially in the playoffs." Evans, though, said one difference is Oakley can hit an outside jumper. Evans admits that's not one of his strengths. But Evans can bang with the best.

--It will be a busy July for Raptors coach Jay Triano. Triano will look on as Toronto competes in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, which runs July 10-19. Then Triano will serve as coach for a USA Basketball national team mini-camp running from July 22-25 from Las Vegas. Triano has learned the names of the 25 players who will be at the camp. No Raptors were invited. Forward Chris Bosh, who won an Olympic gold medal last summer, is not participating, nor are any other players from 2008. Triano's assistants for the camp will be NBA assistants Tyrone Corbin, Dave Cowens, Kenny Gattison and Jerry Sichting. All are former NBA players. "We've assembled an excellent staff for the mini-camp," said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. "Jay Triano, who was an instrumental part of our preparations the previous two summers, will direct the mini-camp staff." USA Basketball officials are excited to see Triano head the camp, which is for young players. Some of the players are likely to play in the 2010 World Championships, in the 2012 Olympics and beyond. Triano was coach of the Canadian national team from 1998-2004, including leading Canada in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I was up there about a day and a half. Great town. Ate. Seen the city, and it was beautiful. It reminded me of a mini-New York. A lot of people walking around. A big city. It was great." -- Guard DeMar DeRozan, taken with the No. 9 pick by Raptors, on his first visit to Toronto, having come for a workout shortly before the draft.