Well for those hardcore fans that remember the 96-97 Raptors season like it was yestersday it is hard not to think back to that memorable day of April 9, 1996 when Isaih Thomas signed Dan O'Sullivan to a 10 day contract. I think it was raining that day, but spirits amongst Raps fans were high.....yeah, not quite.
The Dan O'Sullivan era last eactly 9 days after which the Fordham alumni was released. Just another 6'10" player brought into the Raps system to man the 5, this, like so many other big men for the Raps was far from a success. That however, is not to say the big man didn't get some minutes. In 5 games O'Sullivan played a substantial 139 minutes, took 35 attempts from the floor, hitting 13, (6.6 ppg) and also averaged 6.4 boards per contest. Actually fairly reasonable numbers for a guy on a 10 day. Apparently not good enough. Knowing Isiah Thomas, had O'Sullivan been an 6'8" PF or undersized PG he probably would have given O'Sullivan a 6 year $36M deal.
O'Sullivan bounced around the NBA playing for the Jazz, Nets, Bucks, Pistons and of course the Dinos. Statistically, O'Sullivan's best season was the 5 games he played with the Raps. In fact, prior to signing with the Raps O'Sullivan had just been named a Second Team All-Star in the USBL for the Jersey Turnpikes. Although not an NBA success by any stretch, O'Sullivan has found success abroad. In 2000 playing for the AEK Eagles, Dan The Man won both the Greek Cup and Saporta Cup. That season he averaged 4.3 ppg and 3.1 rpg. Prior to that O'Sullivan played for Scavolini Pesaro, Teamsystem Bologna, and Kinder Bologna.
Dan O'Sullivan is the only player in Raptors history to wear the number 52. Let's just say we don't expect to see that number hung in the ACC anytime soon. If you are a die hard Dan O'Sullivan fan however you can visit this site (Search under O'Sullivan), and bid on a Dan O'Sullivan Raptors Shooting Shirt. The bid is $150.00. If you do decide to place a bid let us know, we have Toronto Raptors t-shirts that we can sell you for a mere $125.00.