Through their unique jersey designs, the 905 have been celebrating a variety of cultures, including Black History Month and the Lunar New Year.
Anwar Cushnie recalls his teenage years in 1995, during the Toronto Raptors’ inaugural season at the SkyDome, as “mind-blowing.”
He was not just an enthusiastic basketball player but also descended from an artistic and creative family that immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in 1989. His father was an art instructor, and his siblings had interests in graphic design and fashion. That’s why it was so easy to adore the Raptors when they appeared in visually striking purple uniforms with a massive dinosaur.
The days of brightly colored NBA jerseys are all but gone, but the Raptors 905, their G-League affiliate, are setting the standard today for eye-catching designs and focused messaging on uniforms. And Cushnie’s contribution to it is noteworthy.
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After studying art at Sheridan College and graduating from Detroit’s Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design with a degree in graphic design, Cushnie began using his artistic skills for tattooing and drawing. He was contacted by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in December, stating that the G League team had requested that he design a t-shirt for Black History Month.
Cushnie pulled out his notebook, put together a mood board, and started jotting down some ideas. He was immediately drawn to the idea of showcasing the Underground Railroad, an anti-slavery freedom group that assisted over 30,000 formerly enslaved African-Americans in escaping to Canada in the 1850s and 1860s.
“I wanted to draw attention to the importance of a moment like that because it acts as a community thread that binds all Canadians together,” says Cushnie. “With more knowledge about our past, we can improve in the future.”
After numerous revisions and brainstorming sessions, the ultimate jersey design was finished. The front of the uniform features an image of a train moving forward on tracks as a representation of the start of social change. There is a pattern of a map on the side that shows the different borders made by annexation and colonization.
Cushnie considers the jersey’s red, yellow, and green color scheme to be visually arresting, but what really appeals to him is the detailed lettering.
It stands for something. It tells a story,” he asserts. That’s the reason I make art. That is the purpose of creation.
Cushnie was amazed that 905 players sported his design this month.
For a little moment, your eyes open, your heart appears to stop, and you are left feeling confused and wondering what’s happening. Nothing will prepare you for that moment quite like that,” he claims. It might be the most pleasant thing I’ve ever encountered.
Courtney Charles, vice president of basketball and franchise operations at MLSE, asserts that Cushnie’s story and his role in designing a distinctive jersey are exactly what the business is supporting with its G-League team.
“Our goal at the 905 is to develop talent on the court as well as superstars in the community,” continues Charles. “These jerseys are a representation of the country we call home and our commitment to finding ways to include everyone in everything we do.
The 905 has put a lot of effort into implementing unique jersey designs over the past few years, such as ones for International Women’s Day and Lunar New Year, to promote different cultures and encourage conversation in the area.
It acts as a launching pad for developing stronger relationships with people living in the city’s several communities. This year, in honor of Lunar New Year, the organization made use of its long-standing relationship with the Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association, a Toronto nonprofit that has worked with the Raptors since the team’s inception.
They sent in chefs Wallace Wong and Jacky Kwok to teach some of the 905 players how to make traditional Chinese dishes like crunchy spring rolls and yin-yang fried rice. All of this is part of the organization’s ongoing mission to honor the histories of the city’s several neighborhoods while educating players.
The 905 have always been fantastic at outreach,” Chu remarks, adding that even during the NBA Raptors’ original team’s time under John Bitove Jr., the team’s objective was to forge relationships with women, kids, and immigrant groups. “Back when the Raptors team was just getting started, they truly wanted to appeal to those various populations.
Raptors 905 ran into a minor problem this season on January 31, the eve of the Lunar New Year. The limited shirt sold out quickly, leaving many fans disappointed that they had to leave the arena empty-handed.
According to Charles, “We learned from that.” “The jersey was in such high demand, especially from outside of Canada,” said the person.
The MLSE art director, PeiYing Cheung, honors the Chinese zodiac in the design of the outfit. On the front of the jersey is a red dragon that looks like the dinosaur that once adorned the Raptors’ original uniforms.
Cheung came up with three original concepts for the jersey picture before deciding on the Year of the Dragon design. These concepts included tributes to the Lantern Festival and the customary lion dance.
The fact that the Lunar New Year is observed by so many people in society is unusual, says Cheung. It’s one of the main reasons I initially became interested in the organization—I felt it would be a fantastic method to foster and showcase different communities.
Because of the jersey’s popularity among hoops enthusiasts, Raptors 905 decided to offer an online preorder in response to the enormous demand. Since then, everything has sold out, but Charles says the organization is exploring additional options for merchandise to satisfy the demand for these unique designs, like hats and shirts.
While unique and culturally relevant jersey designs are becoming less prevalent in today’s sports climate, Raptors 905 and organizations like the CCYAA, who also work with Canadian actor Simu Liu and former Raptors guard Jeremy Lin, have recognized the worth of these designs.
Charles says there’s more to it than just selling jerseys. It all comes down to educating the future generation and providing them with a means of identifying with a hobby or interest.
OMARI MOORE FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/TMqDT1TcGg
— Raptors 905 (@Raptors905) February 15, 2024
