Ex-Toronto Raptors fan fave now working as NBA photographer
When most ex-Toronto Raptors players call it quits from the NBA, they typically take one of a few avenues.
Some players keep their careers alive in other pro leagues, while many end up getting involved in coaching or management. There’s also radio and television gigs, podcast hosting jobs, and even the occasional movie role for those who want to bust out their Hollywood chops.
But former Raptors guard C.J. Miles has taken a bit of a different path than most, opting to test his talents as a basketball photographer.
After working the NBA Finals last month, TSN’s Josh Lewenberg snapped a pic of Miles working the Raptors’ Summer League practice over the weekend in Las Vegas.
That is NBA photog extraordinaire C.J. Miles (@masfresco) working Toronto’s Summer League practice in Vegas. Very cool full circle moment for the former Raptor (who also worked the NBA Finals). pic.twitter.com/yIz4Ss6fHX
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 12, 2025
As for his strategy behind the camera, Miles appears to keep it pretty simple. Asked by a fan how to get started in the industry, Miles simply wrote, “Take a lot of pictures.”
Take a lot of pictures https://t.co/uHYa33DxhL
— C.J. Miles (@masfresco) June 16, 2025
After former MLB star Ken Griffey went viral for his shots of Rory McIlroy winning the Masters earlier this year, and former MLB pitcher Randy Johnson has been working as a photographer for years, perhaps Miles is well on his way to being the next great former athlete camera operator.
What was Miles’ time with the Raptors like?
Miles last played in the NBA in 2021 as a member of the Boston Celtics, while having a brief stint with the G League’s Ignite in 2022 as his last pro playing experience. He played for seven teams throughout his NBA career, which began in 2005 as a former second-round pick of the Utah Jazz.
Since coming to the Raptors in 2017 in exchange for Cory Joseph, Miles was a fan favourite during his two seasons with the team.
He averaged 8.3 points, two rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 110 games for the Raptors in his career, which spanned across the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
He was ultimately shipped out of town during their title-winning season in 2019, being sent along with Jonas Valančiūnas, Delon Wright, and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Marc Gasol.