Rexdale. Anyone? Anyone at all? No, it’s got nothing to do with dinosaurs. Well, it might have something to do with a particular kind, but not in the way you are thinking. No doubt you have heard about the first Canadian player to be drafted by the Canadian franchise, Toronto Raptors – Dalano Banton. And this 24-year-old youngster is the kid who made it out.

In a 2006 article from the Toronto Star, Rexdale was described as a “shorthand for suburban blight.” And once, the National Post alluded to it as “blighted and violence plagued.” In other words, it isn’t easy getting out of this neighborhood from Toronto. And yet, there Banton was. Wiser beyond his age.

“Growing up in low-income neighborhoods, you have to see a lot of things go on and just understand how to take yourself out of situations,” Dalano said in an interview with Complex in 2021. And his way out was basketball. Although the young forward/guard turned to the sport to stay off the streets, it soon turned into something big. Then again, he had always planned to aim high. All he was missing was the goal.

But once he started hooping, he had the answer – Be in the NBA. And when his name was called in the 2021 NBA Draft, he healed at least a few souls who never made it out. “I know a lot of guys who played basketball that were really, really good, but they never even made it out of high school … I’m living for them too,” he said.

And where has he reached in his NBA journey? Or more to our point, what were those physical attributes that persuaded the Raptors to give Banton a ticket to the league?

Dalano Banton was made for basketball

What the Raptors saw in their second-round pick, Yoosrie Salhia noticed very early on. “There’s a few things in the game you can’t teach, and one of them is your natural feel for the game. How he could read the game, how he could see things coming, how he could anticipate—he always had that stuff from a young age,” Salhia, Banton’s long-time mentor and coach said.

A shrewd floor general with incredible length (think Elastigirl from The Incredibles), Dalano Banton had the physical attributes, which, if honed properly, could turn him into a threat. That said, let’s take a look at them.

Height: 6’8

Weight: 204 lb

Wingspan: 6’10

During the G League Elite camp, the Nebraska alum, having been added as a late injury replacement for Dejon Jarreau, made the most of the opportunity. And just like Salhia noted, Banton used his natural skills to attract second-round interest from teams. Having led the camp in rebounds and assists also helped his case.

However, there was a period of transition for the young guard.

The Blazers find a diamond in the rough from Boston

The Raptors welcomed Banton eagerly. A real Toronto kid, he soon became a fan favorite for his energy and hustle. No surprise there. “You have a bit more grit, coming from the bottom. You have that extra push to prove yourself every time you step out,” Dalano said of his personality.

And what of his on-court affairs? His numbers don’t really jump off the page, averaging a modest 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 41.6% from the field in his two seasons with Toronto. Dalano showed flashes of brilliance, but there wasn’t exactly a consistent performance. But after those first two years, Banton saw himself moving to Boston.

Unfortunately, the Celtics didn’t really do it for No. 45, averaging some of his lowest numbers. However, Dalano Banton didn’t stay long with the Cs, as Portland came a’ knocking at the trade deadline. And the result was a supercharged young man. The combination of his insane length and versatile offensive game gave the Blazers someone who contributed on both ends of the floor.

In 30 games with Portland (eight starts), Dalano averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 0.6 blocks (career-highs). He also shot 40.8% from the field and 31.1% from beyond the arc. The Trail Blazers, more than impressed with this and thanking their lucky stars, made sure they wouldn’t lose him by picking up his option.

Although he couldn’t stay with the Raptors, Dalano’s ultimate goal hasn’t changed. “I want to be the blueprint of somebody who really made it out, made something of themselves, and took it to another level, not somebody who ‘could have been.’ I’m trying to change the narrative.”