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The Toronto Raptors have officially announced the signing of former Atlanta Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll and former San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph.
Last year the 28-year-old averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 70 games for the Atlanta Hawks last season. A strong defender and outside shooter, Carroll is expected to be in the starting lineup ahead of Terrence Ross.
During the playoffs, Caroll was Atlanta's leading scorer through the first two rounds. He scored 20 points in six games, and had 25 points plus 10 rebounds in a close-out game against the Washington Wizards.
Carroll, along with other four starters on the Hawks, was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January. The Hawks had their best month in NBA History have a 17-0 record.
Opening the press conference, General Manager, Masai Ujiri said Caroll has been a top target for the team:
Masai on DeMarre: "Great human being we're bringing to our program. We feel very privileged. He was one of our prime targets in free agency"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 9, 2015
Ujiri: "We were missing a big three for the past couple of years." says put too much on true shooting guards DeRozan and Ross.
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) July 9, 2015
When Masai gave the podium to him, Carroll paused briefly looking back at all the obstacles he had to overcome to this day.
Heartfelt introductory address from @DeMarreCarroll1 ... Guy says he doesn't take anything for granted; hard not to believe him.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) July 9, 2015
Carroll: "Finally the blue-collar guys are getting a little recognition"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 9, 2015
Carroll says he'll wear no. 5 Says he will take care of Bruno. Says, smiling, seniority gives him 5 ahead of Cory Joseph. #Raptors #RTZ
— Eric Smith (@Eric__Smith) July 9, 2015
#Raptors fans! Give him a follow and Welcome @DeMarreCarroll1 to the North! #SignedSealedDelivered #WetheNorth pic.twitter.com/FmKz45YEBD
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 9, 2015
Following the signing of Carroll, Masai introduced Canadian point guard and Pickering, Ontario native, Cory Joseph.
At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Joseph is just the second-Canadian born player to join the Raptors (after Jamaal Magloire in 2011-12).
As an adolescent, Joseph played for Pickering High School before he moved to Findlay Prep in Henderson Nevada for his junior and senior seasons.
Joseph then went on to play for the University of Texas where he was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie team and earned All-Big 12 Honourable mention. After one year at Texas, the San Antonio Spurs drafted Joseph with the 29th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
Last season, Joseph averaged 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 18.3 minutes in a career best 79 games - 14 starts - with the San Antonio Spurs. However in those 14 starts he contributed 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 34.6 minutes.
One of the highlights of his career was when he dunked on Serge Ibaka, drawing expressions from his teammates. Joseph was a San Antonio's 2014 NBA Championship team.
Masai reflected on the signing saying it was a special moment for the organization.
Cory Joseph to the Raptors is part of Canadian basketball's amazing journey: pic.twitter.com/HybkYzYbHX
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) July 9, 2015
Masai: "This is a special moment for Cory but I really feel a special moment for us as an organization, us as a city, us as a country"
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 9, 2015
When introduced, Joseph said it was a humbling moment for him to play back home in front of his friends and family.
"I still don’t know how it’s going to feel when I play that first game for the Toronto Raptors. It’s all a little surreal."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) July 9, 2015
It was a big day for the Raptors and both Carroll and Joseph. What do you think about the signings?