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Toronto Raptors rookie Oshae Brissett recently became a first-time father but the former Syracuse Orange forward had no reservations about restarting the season this month.
Brissett, who is signed to a two-way contract, and the Raptors have been training since June 22 in Fort Myers, Florida. The team was granted permission to begin isolating in the United States and has been working out at Florida Gulf Coast University.
The team on Thursday will make the three-hour bus trip to begin the season restart at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, but for Brissett, re-joining the team was something he wanted to happen once the season was suspended on March 11.
Even when the season ended, I wanted to get right back on the court. I knew the opportunity we had to get back here together as a team, I was going to jump on it right away no matter what the circumstances were. Obviously, it is tough leaving my daughter but FaceTime and all of those things are available now so I call her all of the time and I’m on the phone with her just talking to her. Hopefully, family will be able to come sometime in Orlando so whenever that opens up, I’ll for sure see them. The decision to leave, it wasn’t a tough decision to leave. Getting on that plane and saying bye to her, that was the toughest part.
Teams are permitted to bring 17 players, including two two-way contract players, into the season restart. Due to the increased chance of injury or sickness, the NBA wanted teams to have as much depth as possible given the circumstances. Under normal conditions, Brissett may not have played all that much in the postseason but the Raptors have told him to stay ready just in case.
Prior to the season suspension, Brissett logged only 19 appearances with the Raptors but showed promise in the G League. Brissett averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and one steal in 28 games played with the Raptors 905. He recorded a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds on Feb. 22 against the Maine Red Claws and finished off his season by scoring at least 20 points in each of his last three games.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the season restart, Brissett may be called into action but it appears as though the first-time father will be ready when his name is called.
Quote courtesy of Raptors PR
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