The Pro Canadian Invitational

Pro Can 2 - Humber College - April 29/30 2023:

Special feature written by Ronny Muskitele of Skyline Sports Global

Canada’s rising basketball stars suited up at the Pro Can 2 Invitational over the weekend for a chance at going pro. The invitational provided a platform for graduating Canadian athletes to exhibit their basketball talent to an array of basketball decision makers, including coaches, executives, agents, managers, media personnel, and more. The event featured the first-ever Canadian women’s game alongside the men’s game, and it was a resounding success. Look no further than the Pro Can 2 Invitational for a look at the rise of Canadian basketball.

The invitational began with a full day of basketball, where players had the chance to learn, network, and prepare for the big game. The coaches also had their fun, as a coaching clinic was dedicated to their development. The players engaged in drills, practice sessions, and a groundbreaking mentorship session, the first of its kind for Pro Can 2. The afternoon was action-packed with five men’s teams and two women’s teams battling it out on the court.

Day two of the Pro Can Invitational was equally impressive, with an open tryout All-Star showcase kicking off the afternoon. The highly anticipated big games followed, featuring two classic battles in both the men’s and women’s games. The games showcased the rising talent, with players giving their all in each possession as they battled for their teams and a chance to make a name for themselves. From buzzer-beating shots to hard-fought rebounds, the games were a testament to the passion and dedication of the athletes on the court.

Women’s Basketball in Canada Shines at Pro Can 2 Invitational

The women’s game was a close one, with neither team able to pull ahead for long stretches. Miea Campbell-Johnson and Jana Kucera traded three-pointers midway through the fourth quarter. Justina King came through for Team-White (Adunbiade) by scoring some difficult baskets and giving them a comfortable lead. Team-Black (Girling) rallied behind Mackeey Shantz and Sarah Gates, taking a one-point lead with only nine seconds remaining. Sofia Ainsa Lluch hit a clutch three-pointer for Team-White at a critical moment to tie the game, forcing overtime. Brittney English and Sofia Ainsa Lluch dominated overtime, leading Team-White (Adunbiade) to an exciting 112-104 win.

Lauren Golding, who scored a team-high 17 points, was named player of the game. She said, “I utilized my guard-forward skills to my advantage today, being active on the court, getting inside the paint, and grabbing rebounds that ultimately helped me succeed.”

A Showcase of Canada’s Elite Men’s Basketball Talent

Similar to the women’s game, the majority of the men’s game was close. From the very beginning, Xavier Ochu was on a mission, lighting up the scoreboard with his red-hot shooting. Eze Dike also made an impressive start, scoring nearly half of his team’s points by the halfway mark of the first half. With the help of Michael Asante and Jahmal Abbey-Wright, Team Black (Jamil) had built a comfortable eight-point lead with just one minute remaining in the third quarter.

However, Team White (Cassimy) came roaring back in the fourth quarter. Their great ball movement and total team effort cut their deficit to just one point midway through the final quarter. With clutch baskets from Shae Linton-Brown and the late-game heroics of Jabril Price-Noel, Team White willed their way to a hard-fought victory.

Jahbril Price-Noel and Xavier Ochu shared the honors of co-players of the game. Price-Noel explained, “I told the guys that if we win everyone eats. We made sure to get everyone involved, because I knew if we won everyone would look good.” Ochu added, “My quick in and out dribble, and attacking the rim, I haven’t really seen someone who can stop that yet, and I proved it tonight,” when asked about his signature move and what sets him apart from others. 

Elevating Canadian Basketball on the Global Stage

ProCAN 2 was a spectacular event, providing a remarkable opportunity for graduating basketball athletes in Canada. The event saw the presence of former NBA champions such as Joel Anthony, basketball influencers including Tariq Sbiet from NPH, and Drew Ebanks from ON Point Basketball, among others, who were soaking in all the growth and wonders of the rise of basketball in Canada. Last year, 19 of the 32 men that were invited to the event received professional contracts in Canada and overseas. With the inclusion of women this year, we can only expect these numbers to grow further. 

“If you missed ProCAN 2, be sure to mark your calendar for ProCAN 3. This year, we expect even more athletes to sign pro contracts. As the years go by, the event will only keep getting bigger, and there will be more opportunities coming,” said Mark Zaragoza, the assistant coach for Humber Hawks basketball team and the Pro Can Director of Operations.

 

 

Special feature written by Ronny Muskitele of Skyline Sports Global

Oshawa, ON – The inaugural Pro Canadian Invitational took place at the Playground Durham on Saturday, April 23, 2022, and UOIT on April 24, 2022 showcasing the best of Canada’s graduating college and university professional basketball prospects. 

Founded by Kevin Barnes this event quickly became a massive collaboration amongst Canadian basketball stakeholders and included organisations lead by influential coaches and media figures like Drew Ebanks of On Point Basketball.  

Canadian Basketball continues to grow year by year across the country, but the work isn’t only being done by the Toronto Raptors and our Olympians but on every level. From the grassroots level, high school, prep schools, colleges, and universities, everyone seems to play a part in growing the game of basketball in Canada.  

It’s not often players from NCAA Division 1, U SPORTS, and CCAA get to compete against each other under the same roof. Thirty-two players suited up on day one and were assigned to specific coaches and separated by positions.  

Omar Miles current CCAA national championship head coach with the Humber Hawks, and Bill Crowdis founding partner of Euroball.ca were present. NBA shooting coaches Dave Love and Nathan Slegers were testing their new shot track data system with the Pro Can athletes, just to name a few.

Team White (Coaches Chris Rao & Danielle Boiago)

The organising committee identified and invited coaches and players from all over North America to form a memorable experience. Prominent brands like Gatorade, The Closet Inc and Xeist came on board and added fuel to an already strong foundation.  

The Pro Canadian Invitational at its core value was introduced to increase participation, create jobs, and provide a platform for collaboration within the Canadian basketball landscape. 

Coaches from across the country came together to form a memorable experience for the top Canadian players. Coach Jeremy Kayeye of Ryerson University, Coach Mike De Giorgio of Royal Crown Academy (formerly of the University of Toronto), Coach Christopher Rao of Niagara college, and Danielle Boiago of McMaster University each had a team of eight players that were set to compete against one another.  

With each player looking to make the best impression on the coaches, scouts, and agents in attendance, the level of intensity was terrific from the start. From 20-point blowouts to buzzer-beaters to force overtime, the games were must-see. With all the talent level, it wasn’t easy for coaches and scouts to pick the top players that would compete against one another in the Canadian Pro Prospects Game at Durham College the following day.  

 The camaraderie among basketball professionals in Canada is what helps the game flourish and grow rapidly. The various media present all had the chance to cover players, conduct interviews, and share memorable moments with one another. When it was all said and done, every player, coach, media member, scout, and agent seemed to have left with a smile, as day one couldn’t have gone any better.  

Team Black (Coaches Mike De Giorgio & Jeremie Kayeye)

On Sunday, the top players selected took the court for the Canadian Pro Prospects Game, and the four coaches were separated into two coaching staffs. Team White was coached by coach Rao, and Boiago and Team Black were coached by Coach Kayeye and De Giorgio. Ottawa Gee-Gees forward -Maxime Boursiquot started the game on fire for Team Black scoring six of the first nine points. The high flyer from Simon Fraser University – Jordan Lyons, got the crowd going early on with two big dunks for Team White. Despite the early effort from Lyons and Malcolm Glanville, Team Black was too much to handle offensively shooting 62.5 percent from the field after the first quarter. This helped them take an early 10-point lead. Team Black moved the ball well all game long and never let up. The total team effort helped them take a 20-point lead to end the third period. A late push by Lyons and Glanville, who cut the lead to 13, was not enough. Godwin Boahen closed out the game with a free throw in the Elam Ending finish as Team Black won the first Pro-Can Invitational Canadian Pro Prospects Game, 95-81.  

Boursiquot was named the Performer of the Game, finishing with a game-high 17 points (66% FG), six rebounds, and three blocks.  

“It was a great experience for guys to get exposure and experience,” said Boursiquot. “I had a fun weekend. I got to compete, got to meet new guys, and play with some old guys. I think overall, it was great!  

Overall, this was a memorable event and a stepping stone to the growing opportunities and game of basketball for Canadians. Coach Kevin Barnes, Drew Ebanks and the organising committee did a phenomenal job planning this event. Everyone benefited, from players to coaches, media members, scouts, and agents. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these bright young stars. 

Canadian Pro Prospects Game Top Performer Maxime Boursiquot-Ottawa Gee Gees

 

 

Photos Courtesy Faz Visions