In what is a sure sign that Canadian basketball is on the upswing, the Toronto Raptors worked out two Canadians on Wednesday ahead of this months NBA draft. Chad Kuhl Pirates Jersey . Torontos Melvin Ejim and Quebec Citys Khem Birch went through their paces in front of the Raptors scouting staff. Birch, who played at UNLV and declared for the draft after his junior season, points to Vince Carter as one player who caught his eye growing up. "Vince is probably one of the best Raptors of all time. He had a big impact on all of us," said Birch. "Even though he wasnt Canadian, you thought he was Canadian because he played here and everyone embraced him." Birch is projected to be drafted late in the second round but that hasnt deterred him from making his best impression in workouts. "I dont look into mock drafts," added Birch, who has already worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. "Those guys dont really know what goes on in a GMs mind. It only takes one team to like you and if you feel youre ready, youre ready." As for what he could bring to a potential NBA lineup, the 69 forward knows his strength is under his own basket, despite scoring a Big 12-record 48 points in a game this season. "I bring a defensive energy," he said. "Thats the type of player I am and thats why I left (school). I proved myself in college, I was defensive player twice." Francisco Liriano Pirates Jersey . Brassard and Coyotes defenceman Derek Morris were battling for position in the crease when a nudge from Morris sent Brassard on top of Smith late in the third period. Erik Gonzalez Pirates Jersey . -- With his team down 16 points in the second quarter and headed for another blowout loss at home, Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson yelled out to his players to keep shooting and keep fighting on defence. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/Starling-Marte-pirates-jersey/ . Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong.TORONTO - Renovations are underway at BMO Field, with a light being left on at the construction zone if the money can be found to shoehorn in the Toronto Argonauts.First up is a $105-million facelift to a bare-bones stadium built on a $62.5-million shoestring as part of the deal to bring the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and Major League Soccer to Canada.It became really obvious to us that we were taking a backdoor in Major League Soccer relative to our facilities, even in a seven-year-old building, Bob Hunter, chief facilities and live entertainment officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said after the ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday.This is going to take us back to the top of the MLS stadium category, he added.Phase 1, to be completed by May 2015, will see the stadium capacity raised to 30,000 with 8,500 new seats plus additional washrooms and concessions, in the East stand. A larger high-definition video board will replace the existing screen at the north end while new suites and premium areas will help add to the MLSE coffers.MLSE can add another 10,000 temporary seats, which it hopes will be enough to bring a Winter Classic to Toronto.The Phase 1 deadline is to ensure a larger BMO Field is in place for the Pan American Games next summer, with rugby sevens expected to be a showcase event at the lakefront venue.Phase 2, slated to start in September 2015 and end May 2016, will see the addition of a canopy covering all seats with the exception of the North stand, as well as a new sound and lighting system.MLSE, which owns the MLS team and runs the city-owned stadium, is putting in $95 million to help pay for the first two phases. The city is kicking in $10 million, which MLSE will repay with interest over 20 years.Phase 3 is where the Argos come in, with a plan to reconfigure the field to accommodate CFL football.Cost of all three phases is going to be $125 million, with MLSE looking for the provinciall and federal governments to contribute $10 million apiece. Lonnie Chisenhall Jersey. . That has yet to happen, so Phase 3 is on hold.There is a time concern. The Argos have a lease at Rogers Centre through 2017. But that deal cant be renewed, meaning they must find a new home for the 18 campaign.The city wants the Argos to join Toronto FC at BMO Field. But it has gone along with MLSEs wish that $20 million come from elsewhere.Hunter says if everything falls into place, the football phase could be accelerated. Summer of 16 at best. And could be as late as summer of 17.But it could come down further down the line in terms of construction, as needed.Councillor Mark Grimes, chair of the Exhibition Place board of governors, is doing his best to bang the BMO Field drum for the CFL team which used to play at the now demolished Exhibition Stadium.Im a huge Argo fan and a huge CFL fan. I think its very important we get them back home here where they belong, he said.MLSE also wants it to happen, Hunter said.Weve always hoped that the CFL comes, he said. Its a natural situation, a great solution for them.Hunter has plenty of deadline pressure already.Its going to be very tight, he said. As you can see, we started only last week. Theyre busy. We have a lot of work to do before May but were totally confident that well be there.Another deadline is May 9, 2015, when Toronto FC wants to play its first home game of the 2015 season.Toronto FC players Steven Caldwell and Michael Bradley liked what they saw from the artists renditions.Very exciting times ahead, said Caldwell, the TFC captain.We all cant wait for it to be done, added Bradley, who did his part in the groundbreaking ceremony by manning a bulldozer in the work zone east of the stadium.Chairman Larry Tanenbaum spoke for MLSE during the formal part of the proceedings. CEO and president Tim Leiweke was a silent partner at the event.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter ' ' '