Dalano Banton

Dalano Banton Bio

Dalano Banton is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Nebraska Cornhuskers. Banton was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 46th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, making him the first Canadian player ever drafted by the Canadian franchise.

Early Life and Background

Dalano Banton was born on November 7, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in the Mount Olive area within the Rexdale neighborhood of Toronto. Banton began playing basketball as a child at the North Kipling Community Centre, the Rexdale Community Hub, and a local parking lot. He also attended basketball camps hosted by former Toronto Raptor DeMar DeRozan in the neighborhood. Banton, originally a member of the 2019 class, reclassified into 2018. He played for Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield, Massachusetts, and MacDuffie School in Granby, Massachusetts. By the end of his high school career, Banton was a consensus four-star recruit and was ranked in the top 100 recruits nationally in 2018 by Rivals and 247Sports. On November 14, 2017, Banton chose Western Kentucky over Kansas State, UMass, and Minnesota.

Path to Basketball

As a freshman at Western Kentucky, Banton played 31 games, averaging 3.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He made 12 starts and nearly achieved a triple-double with eight points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a career-high 38 minutes in a win over No. 15 Wisconsin. Banton was one of only six players in Division I basketball to have a game with at least eight points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in the 2018–19 season. After transferring from Western Kentucky, Banton sat out the 2019–20 season and honed his skills on the scout team at Nebraska. He recorded just the second triple-double in Nebraska men’s basketball history with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over Doane University on December 17, 2020. Following the season, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

Dalano Banton Career

Early Career (2021–2023)

Dalano Banton was drafted with the 46th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, making him the first-ever Canadian to be drafted by the franchise. On August 14, 2021, he signed a multi-year contract with the Raptors. Banton made his professional debut on October 20, 2021, in the Raptors’ season- and home-opener against the Washington Wizards, scoring his first career points in the NBA with a buzzer-beating three-point field goal at the end of the third quarter. On November 24, 2022, Banton scored a career-high 27 points in a win over the Detroit Pistons.

Breakthrough (2023–2024)

On July 3, 2023, Banton signed a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics. His time with the Celtics was marked by a trade to the Portland Trail Blazers on February 8, 2024. In Portland, Banton achieved a new career-high of 31 points along with 5 rebounds and 9 assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He also made history on April 14, 2025, by attempting 15 three-point shots without a make in a game against the Sacramento Kings.

Notable Works and Milestones

Dalano Banton’s signature work includes being the first Canadian player drafted by the Toronto Raptors. He has achieved significant milestones, including a career-high 31 points and a triple-double during his college career.