The 1995-96 season marked a historic milestone for the Toronto Raptors as they made their NBA debut as an expansion franchise, bringing professional basketball back to Canada. The season was highlighted by the sensational performance of rookie point guard Damon Stoudamire, who earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors and set a then-record for three-pointers by a rookie. Despite the typical challenges of an inaugural year, the Raptors provided fans with unforgettable moments, most notably a thrilling 109-108 victory over the record-setting 72-win Chicago Bulls. The team's immediate connection with the city was evident as they finished third in the league in home attendance, laying a strong foundation for the franchise's future. The first player ever signed by the Toronto Raptors and the first Italian to score in an NBA game, Vincenzo Esposito was a sharpshooting guard who averaged 3.9 points during the franchise's inaugural 1995-96 season before returning to a legendary MVP career in Italy.