Sudbury woman scores job with the Toronto Raptors

Gabrielle Schwabe, daughter of CBC host Markus Schwabe, landed her "dream job" when she was invited to join the staff of NBA team the Toronto Raptors in the summer of 2022.

Now, at 24, Schwabe becomes one of just three women employed in team operations-equipment in the NBA.

Her job is to ensure the players and coaches have everything they need to be successful, from headbands to basketball shoes. She also runs the clock during the team's practices.

Schwabe, a graduate of Laurentian University's Sports Administration (SPAD) program, travels with the team, hauling the uniforms and gear which she lays out in the locker rooms on the road.

"It's always been a dream of mine to work for the Toronto Raptors, but it's more of one of those dreams that you don't actually think is ever going to come true," Schwabe said. 

"Honestly, every day I still pinch myself," she said. "When we get on a plane, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, what am I doing? We're flying like, on this crazy plane. And here's little old me traveling with an NBA team to another city."

Schwabe said she grew up a Raptors fan, devoutly watching players like José Calderón and Andrea Bargnani on television, including their epic 2019 playoff run and eventual championship.

After spending a year as Canada Basketball's coordinator of women's basketball operations, Schwabe threw her hat into the ring when a position opened up with Major League Sports Entertainment (MLSE), the company that owns both the Raptors and the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.

She didn't expect to land the job, but after several zoom calls and in-person meetings with Raptors executives, Schwabe received a fateful phone call from the team's vice president of operations. 

"The way she started the call off, I kind of