TORONTO - After auditioning roughly 60 prospects, including nine Canadians, in 11 sessions spanning over nine workout days this spring, the Toronto Raptors are putting the finishing touches on their wish list heading into Thursdays NBA Draft. For most of the last week, Masai Ujiri and his scouting staff have been mulling over 10 targets they anticipate will be available with the 20th overall pick, their first of three selections, hoping to narrow that list down to five by Tuesday. With three days to go, does he have someone in mind? "Hes around like the back here," said the former scout, gesturing to the back of his head just before the Raptors concluded their final pre-draft workout Monday afternoon. "But he hasnt made it to the front yet. Hes working his way." No, Ujiri wont tip his hand, not with so many variables at play. Fourteen teams occupy the 19 slots that precede the Raptors and will determine who is available to them. They have a list of about 13 players that are expected to be off the board by the time Toronto is on the clock. The pick will be Ujiris first as Torontos primary decision maker - the Raptors did not have a selection in last years draft - and should immediately put his keen eye for talent to the test. Since Ujiri took control of the Raptors, a franchise that has mostly been accustomed to selecting in the lottery, he has emphasized the importance of drafting well regardless of where youre situated in both the first and second rounds. For only the third time in franchise history, and first in 12 years, the Raptors are positioned outside the top 19 in the drafts opening round. Although its not an advantageous spot to find cant miss, NBA-ready talent, history has shown it can be done. In 2000, with the 20th overall pick - the teams lowest ever first-round selection - they found one of their best and most reliable contributors in long-time Raptor Morris Peterson. In 2011, then with the Nuggets, Ujiri used the 22nd pick to snag emerging forward Kenneth Faried. As Ujiri knows, the key is preparation aided by a little bit of luck and the subsequent development that is required to turn a late first-round pick into an impact player at the games highest level. "Its a huge bonus," Ujiri said of finding a diamond in the rough on draft night. "You look at the programs that have done well in the NBA, they just strike with picks like that. Its takes constant study, and really knowing players, believing in players and a system." "I think a big thing is you kind of have to be realistic on the expectations of the players," added Dan Tolzman, Torontos director of scouting, who was also a member of Ujiris front office staff in Denver. "I think everyone wants to find those diamonds and the guys that will be all-stars and MVPs and this and that but those guys are pretty hard to find outside of the lottery and the top-five even." "So I think the idea is if you can find guys at 20 or 37 or wherever that have careers," he continued, "that are eight-year players and theyre role players on your team and theyre doing good things to help you win, thats a successful draft pick. You might get lucky and hit a guy thats going to be a big time contributor and hes pushing for all-stars and that kind of thing, but thats not really what youre looking for when youre outside of the top-five or the top-10." Over the last four weeks, the Raptors brass have seen around a dozen players that figure to be selected in the latter half of the first round, or early in the second. According to team sources, there are roughly five prospects of interest that were either unable or unwilling to come in for a workout. While the workouts are not the be all and end all - the team has scouted them all in live action - they can go a long way in getting the coaching staff and trainers on board with a potential pick. Should a player fall to them unexpectedly, Ujiri will keep his options open and hasnt ruled out the possibility of trading up, if the price is right. Still, the focus is on making their make at 20. "Those trades and talks, people dont understand," said the Raptors GM. "We talk about like maybe 100 trades and then two happen. Thats the nature of our business. We will be aggressive but our energy is focused on 20, rather than wasting our time on [something else]." In addition to their first-round pick, the Raptors also own a pair of second rounders, 37 and 59 - the second to last pick in the draft. Regardless of whether or not theyre able to address their needs in the draft, Ujiri has prioritized his offseason to-do list. "We need a big wing at the three position," he said. "We [also] need some kind of shot blocking big. We have good, skilled bigs, we have a shooting big, we have a big down low, but we want to figure out how we can protect the rim a little bit. That may come now, it may come later but its something we know we need on our roster. So those two positions look like something we need." His top priority has not changed. "Were going full force after Kyle Lowry," Ujiri said, speaking of the teams coveted free agent point guard. "And if theres a talented point guard in the draft we know that its going to be tough to come and contribute to where our team is off the bat, but well go for talent in the draft. But Kyle Lowry is our target and well try to get that done." In just over a week, the Raptors - and other teams for that matter - can begin negotiating with Lowry, unable to officially sign him or announce a deal until the moratorium period ends on July 10. Until then the focus will be on the draft, one of the most chaotic events on the basketball calendar and an invaluable opportunity to add young talent, provided youre well prepared for it. The Raptors have done their homework. "I was walking into the conference room where our guys were meeting and I was like okay, no news that will throw me off right now," Ujiri joked. "Because you know its going to keep coming. There will be something tonight and something else tomorrow morning. Thats just the nature of the draft. I heard something yesterday that threw us off a little bit. But it will keep coming and coming and coming until that last minute. Thats the joy of it, I mean you love it. Thats why we do it. There is always action. As long as we come out on top, then were fine." Raheem Sterling Jersey . Nikolaos Kounenakis has been hired as an assistant coach, the team announced on Monday. Trent Alexander-Arnold England Jersey .com) - Nino Williams posted 18 points and seven rebounds, as Kansas State edged No. http://www.englandsoccerpro.com/Jesse-Li...England-Jersey/. Marie rink got back in the win column at the Olympic mens curling tournament with a 7-4 win over the host Russian squad on Wednesday. Marcus Rashford Jersey . -- Lindsey Vonn squeezed in a little freeskiing on Thanksgiving morning, a step in the right direction for a return to racing after reinjuring her right knee in a recent training crash. Gary Cahill Jersey . Van Slyke drove in a career-high four runs with two homers off struggling left-hander Tony Cingrani, and the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled away to a 6-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night, a rare comfortable win in their pitching-dominated series.TAMPA, Fla. - A late-season loss already knocked Green Bay off-stride, and the hungry Packers know they cant afford to stumble again against the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Its important to focus on what youre trying to accomplish each and every week as a football team, and always see the big picture. This is a game we have to win, coach Mike McCarty said, looking ahead to Sundays opportunity to get back on track. Tampa Bays dropped four straight, owns the NFCs worst record and is in line for landing the top pick in next springs NFL draft.The Packers (10-4) insist theres no way theyll be caught looking past the Bucs (2-12) after losing on the road at Buffalo a week ago, with Aaron Rodgers throwing for 185 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.Were looking for this to be a tough game, McCarthy said. And were taking a playoff approach because this is the time of year where you have to shift gears and make sure the awareness and urgency is heightened in your preparation and trusting the process leading up to the performance.Green Bays 21-13 loss to the Bills not only cost the Packers sole possession of first place in the NFC North, but it dealt a blow to the teams pursuit of home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.Despite the setback, they still control their fate in the division race. Beat Tampa Bay and close out the regular season with a win at home against Detroit, theyll finish first regardless of what the Lions do. A loss to the Bucs, combined with a Detroit win at struggling Chicago, and the Lions clinch the title.I think well be pretty focused after last week, receiver Jordy Nelson said. We know that going on the road is very hard no matter how many wins a team has. ... No matter who it is, you want to start playing our best football this late in the year, and we need to start getting into a rhythm through these last two games, hopefully into the playoffs.Tampa Bay will finish with a losing record for the fifth time in six years and miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. If the season had ended after last Sundays 19-17 loss at Carolina, the Bucs would own the No. 1 overall pick in the draft for the first time since selecting Vinny Testaverde in 1987.Nearly 30 years later, the Bucs are still looking for a franchise quarterback. Coach Lovie Smith surely will feel pressure to pursue one if the pick winds up in his hands.For now, though, Smith is sticking with his hand-picked choice for his first season guiding tthe Bucs, 35-year-old Josh McCown.dddddddddddd The career backup is coming off his best pro season in Chicago, where he filled in for injured Jay Cutler in 2013.The 12th-year pro has fizzled with Tampa Bay, losing eight of nine starts and missing five games because of injury. Hes the NFCs lowest-rated passer, and ahead overall of only the Jaguars Blake Bortles and Jets Geno Smith.Even though the Bucs have little to play for, and second-year quarterback Mike Glennon started 13 games as a rookie a year ago, Smith is standing by McCown, whos thrown for 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.I think Josh gives us the best opportunity (to win). Thats not necessarily a knock against Mike. ... Quarterback just isnt a position where youre going to play a lot of guys. Kind of simple as that, Smith said.Some things to keep in mind when the Packers try to rebound from only their second loss in the past 11 games, and the struggling Bucs try to play spoilers:ADVANTAGE PACKERS?: This is the first sellout of the season at Raymond James Stadium, though the stands are expected to be filled mostly with Packers fan. The Bucs 0-6 at home this year.RJS hasnt been kind to Green Bay. The Packers have lost seven of eight games there since RJS opened in 1998. Rodgers threw for two TDs, but was also intercepted three times in a 10-point loss on their last visit in 2009.FAMALIAR FOE: Packers LB Julius Peppers played much of his career in the NFC South, so the Bucs are plenty familiar with him from his days with the Carolina Panthers. In 16 career games against the Bucs, Peppers has 15 1-2 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception he returned for a TD.BIG TARGET: Mike Evans, Tampa Bays 6-foot-5 rookie receiver, has nine TD catches in the past seven games. Hes tied the franchise record for receiving TDs in a season with 11 overall.RESILIENT, STRONG FINISHERS: The Packers are 3-0 following a loss this season. They are 24-12 in the month of December under McCarthy, whos in his ninth season.MEASURING STICK: Since Tampa Bays bye in Week 7, the Bucs have made strides on defence, ranking in the top 10 in yards allowed per game. The Packers have scored an NFC-high 436 points, Rodgers has the leagues highest QB rating and has thrown for 35 TDs vs. five interceptions.It will be a good barometer for us of just how much weve improved, said Bucs defensive co-ordinator Leslie Frazier.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '