While Toronto would love nothing better than to add a local Canadian to the roster this year, GM Rob Babcock is hesitant to waste his #7 pick or even a second-round pick on a player that may or may not have an impact on the team.  

Babcock is high on Juan Mendez, who averaged an impressive 23.5 points per game as a senior with Niagara University this past season, while helping the Purple Eagles to an NCAA tournament spot.

"I think it would be, obviously, good for our team to be able to have a Canadian, for fan interest and so forth," Babcock said after putting Montreal native Juan Mendez through a workout yesterday at the Air Canada Centre. "But that being said, we're not bringing anybody on our team unless they're good enough to play on our team.

"The bottom line is, we need players that are going to be top 12 players on our team," Babcock added, brushing aside suggestions that he would ever sign a player just to be a token Canadian. "You don't have the luxury of doing that. We're trying to build a winning team here and we'll consider anybody from any country, it doesn't matter."

Toronto Raptors point guard Alvin Williams, who missed the entire season with an injury, had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Richard Stedman in Vail, Colo., a specialist who performed on Kobe Bryant in 2003.

He removed scar tissue from previous surgeries. Williams' knee has progressed well since his last operation in November and he will begin rehabilitation immediately.

The NBA?s newest MVP and consummate professional, Steve Nash, is waiting for final approval form the league to host his first NBA charity all-star game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto this summer.

"It's an exciting time to have an impact in my home country, and especially in the community of Toronto, and do something special there," Nash said from Phoenix.