Raptors sign Powell to four-year extension

TORONTO At the Toronto Raptors’ media day to kick off the new season, Norman Powell spoke earnestly about the huge opportunity that awaited him.

The Raptors have shown faith in the hard-working 24-year-old who’s potentially played his way into a spot as a starter this season. And on Thursday, the team rewarded him with a four-year contract extension, a team official confirmed. The deal, which begins in the 2018-19 season, is reportedly worth US$42 million.

“I’m ready for it,” Powell said on media day of the chance to play major minutes this season. “It’s what I’ve worked for. It’s what I’ve fought for my first two years. . . I’ve worked, I’ve pushed myself in a totally different way this off-season. “I’m preparing myself for a full 82-game season, for increased minutes, taking care of my body, just training and trying to improve. So I’m ready for it. I’m excited to get the season started.” The UCLA product was drafted 46th overall by Milwaukee in 2015, then acquired in a draft night deal that sent Greivis Vasquez to the Bucks. The athletic combo guard averaged 8.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 76 games with Toronto last season, and has played a key role in the Raptors’ past two playoff appearances. The versatile scorer and solid defender was a spark off the bench in Toronto’s Game 5 victory over Milwaukee last season, scoring a careerhigh 25 points. He helped clinched the opening round series against Indiana a year earlier, hitting three of four three-point shots in Toronto’s Game 7 win over the Pacers.