Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign welcome to the Canadian Basketball show, your go to spot for the latest news stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I'm your host Lee Ban Osman. We're out here in Las Vegas, Nevada for NBA Summer League Back again. I've been here since Wednesday afternoon. Been running around from Nike EYBL to the Thomas and Max center. Has been a lot of fun. Almost a week here, but Vegas is tiring. I'm excited to head out soon, Augusta, Georgia for Peace Jam. I'll be heading out Tuesday night. By the time you're hearing this, Vegas is so hot.
[00:00:45] But yeah, I'm just excited. I'm just excited to get out of here. The plan originally for this podcast was to have a player on, but I decided last minute to push it instead as we plan to get them in studio soon instead. I think that will be a much better podcast for listeners, for viewers, potentially. I put out a request for questions on Instagram for Summer league Mailbag episode and I got a lot of questions. Questions about Vegas, the Raptors, behind the scenes stuff. We what's the hold up with the Kawhi trade players that have impressed at the Nike uibl and there's one team that's been making history, I believe. So I want to get into all that kind of stuff.
[00:01:30] Let's get to it. The Summer League Mailbag episode the first question Thoughts on Raptors rookie Alan Graves what can I say? What a summer league debut for Alan Graves. He had what, like 22 points, 13 rebounds? Let me look at the full stats here. I had it opened up 22 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, five offensive rebounds on 9 of 16 shooting. Obviously it's summer league. I don't really put much stock into these games. I don't think a lot of people do, especially the scoring stats. But for me, Alan Graves, like he does the like the intangible things that translates to winning basketball. And to me that's huge.
[00:02:20] This was the year, I'll be honest, I didn't watch as much college basketball as I wanted to when it came to like evaluating guys outside of the top 14 range. I watched the top guys. I watched the Darren Petersons of the world, the AJ D? Bon says of the world.
[00:02:37] Those guys, you know, Darius Acuff, I watch those guys. But I mostly followed guys like in the top five range. And I did catch Alan Graves probably more than most guys because I was keeping tabs on Elijah Mahi, Scarborough guy we had on the podcast back in November, Canadian who went to Santa Clara, both teammates and it was hard not to be impressed by Alan Graves when watching Santa Clara hoop.
[00:03:10] Elijah Mahe's out here with Oklahoma City on a summer league deal.
[00:03:15] I've been able to check him out, but when it comes to Graves, he just has a knack.
[00:03:20] A knack for being like an active defender. Sticky hands, that's what a lot of people say. And someone that from just seeing him in scrums, seeing him on the court, just very self aware of like who he is as a player.
[00:03:38] He's not going to be a score out the gate for the Raptors. The Raptors don't need that from him. The shooting needs to improve, the shot needs to get faster. In my opinion, the release is just very, very slow. Like that might be tough to get off in the league. That's my biggest concern for him probably. But you see why The Raptors at 19 picked him.
[00:04:04] I'm not sure how high the front office had him on their board exactly, but I think that's a great pick in that range.
[00:04:14] It gets me excited for a potential like defensive unit of like Scotty Kawhi, Colin Murray, Boyles, four massive forwards that can all switch.
[00:04:28] I want to see that world out.
[00:04:30] And it might not mean much to most, but very good with the media.
[00:04:36] That also wins you over.
[00:04:38] You know, at least for me, if you know how to answer questions and give thoughtful answers, you win me over.
[00:04:46] Who knows, that might change. I feel like when guys get to the league they kind of get a little bit of media trained and that kind of turns them into robots. So hopefully that's not the case with Alan Graves. But very impressed, very impressed early on with Alan Graves and I think he slots in pretty well off the bench for the Raptors. So we'll see, we'll see what his role looks like. Maybe he plays in the 905 a bit, but I think the Raptors kind of need him off the bench. Especially losing Ingram, Grady. Who knows, some other moves might happen. We'll see. Next question.
[00:05:25] I got a few similar ones. Everyone wants to talk about the Kawhi thing.
[00:05:29] Two questions here. What are your thoughts on the Kawhi trade? When will the Kawhi trade get approved? Let's answer the first one first. I love the trade. Maybe it's the nostalgia me, but Kawhi won. Helsi is one of the best players in the world. I don't think there's a question about that. He literally was the best player in 2019 when the Raptors won. And I know you might say, wait, Lee, Ben, that's seven years ago.
[00:05:56] But I was chatting with like a Clippers reporter and he was telling me, like, you should be very happy. Like, this was arguably Kawhi's best season outside of the Raptors year.
[00:06:13] I mean, he was all NBA second team, I believe.
[00:06:16] Averaged the most points he's ever had in the season.
[00:06:21] And I was there at All Star weekend when this guy literally exploded for like 15 straight points. Nobody could guard him on the world Team.
[00:06:30] And for me, I'm like, even if the Raptors don't win a ring, if they don't win a ring with Kawhi, let's see that happens.
[00:06:39] I could care less.
[00:06:41] This man is saying he wants to retire a Raptor. He realized what he did, leaving us was wrong.
[00:06:54] Maybe he won't say it out loud, but I know it. I know it. The fact that you're coming back, I know it.
[00:07:04] So for me, it will be cool.
[00:07:09] When you see Vince Carter's jersey, you had Kyle Lowry sometime later this year, and then KAWHI Leonard, maybe DeRozan as well. That gives me goosebumps. You know, Kawhi retiring as a Raptor, going into the hall of Fame as a Raptor.
[00:07:29] Bruh, if you told me this two months ago, I would have laughed at you. I'll be like, nah, this guy wants to stay in la. Like, he might go ring, chase, go somewhere else, but come back to Toronto, man. And I know people, some people are mad about, like, why are you giving up two first round picks in 2031, 2033. You don't know what those will be like, but like, man, come on, you can't tell me you didn't feel something when you heard the News. And that 30, 2033 first round pick, that kid is like 11 years old right now. Nobody's out here evaluating kids that young.
[00:08:04] You know, the Raptors will deal with it when they deal with when that happens, when they get to 2033. But like, we're in 2026.
[00:08:12] Can we just be happy?
[00:08:14] We got Kawhi, we got a go to guy, one of the best players in the world.
[00:08:20] I'm happy nothing.
[00:08:23] Even if they don't pan out, even if the rappers don't win a ring, man, we back up. That's how I feel.
[00:08:30] Let's get to the next question here. Oh, similar question. Like I said, when will the Kawhi trade get approved?
[00:08:37] It came out that the trade is officially on hold pending the conclusion of the NBA's ongoing investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented The salary cap shams had that news drop and I felt like it, like put a shiver throughout Thomas and Mack at summer league.
[00:09:01] I'll say this, the same day that news came out, I ran into someone within the Raptors.
[00:09:08] And from just chatting with them briefly, obviously you can't take everything as face value, but from that conversation, I felt like they weren't worried.
[00:09:23] You know, they even joked about it. So I don't think people should be that concerned.
[00:09:28] I mean, Kawhi pulled up to Lowry's retirement announcement. You know, I also heard.
[00:09:35] I don't know if I can say this, but Grady Dick has been at the Lakers practice in Vegas wearing like Clippers gear.
[00:09:44] You know, it's all but said and done. Ingram was sitting courtside with Glow at the Clippers summer league game.
[00:09:50] No one is acting like this trade is not going to go through.
[00:09:53] You know what I'm saying? Like, a lot of people I've chatted with, expect things to get done on Tuesday by the time you're hearing this, maybe later in the day.
[00:10:04] A lot of people expect that after the NBA Board of Governors meeting that is taking place on Tuesday in Vegas, that after that a decision will be made in terms of the investigation.
[00:10:20] And someone I also chatted with was like, ah, I wouldn't.
[00:10:28] I'd be prepared maybe if it wasn't for Tuesday.
[00:10:31] Like someone said it could take weeks potentially, but I doubt that, if I'm being honest. I feel like the league is under a lot of pressure now to get this done.
[00:10:40] You know what I'm saying? Come down with the verdict, especially with this trade on hold. It's putting a lot of people in limbo. So I expect it sooner rather than later.
[00:10:51] And if they did, like, just imagine if they did rule that the Clippers circumvented the salary cap.
[00:10:58] Oh, man, oh, man, that will be insane.
[00:11:02] The Raptors having to take back Grady and Ingram. That will be awkward.
[00:11:06] Does Kawhi sign with Toronto on like a. That minimum since this contract gets voided, who knows? I really doubt that happens. I'm just saying the way everyone is moving right now is that this is going to get through. But yeah, and I also heard like the NBA Players association, like, they will go to battle if it's not done.
[00:11:34] You know, if Kawhi and this whole circumvented the salary cap is not ruled in their favor. So I honestly think that it will get ugly.
[00:11:46] But yeah, and I doubt the league wants that. Right? So we'll see. We'll see something to keep Tabs on and see if it happens on Tuesday.
[00:11:56] Next question here. A lot of Raptors question, maybe because I'm in summer league, watching them play. Where do you see the Raptors finishing in the east if and when, let's say the chair gets through. I don't see why they can't be a top three team in the Eastern Conference with everyone healthy. That's the big caveat.
[00:12:13] Like, got to stay healthy. Emmanuel Quickley, you got to be healthy. Yak Portal, Kawhi gotta be healthy. Maybe Kawhi does the load management.
[00:12:21] You got Alex McKechnie, you know, back in your wheelhouse. Maybe you do that. Maybe you give a 60 to 65 games.
[00:12:28] I'd be happy with that. I think he played 65 games this past season with the Clippers. But the only threats when I look at the East, I see are like, new York, you got to. You got to respect them right after winning it all. Even though I do think losing Mitchell Robinson to Boston is bigger, is a bigger loss than people are claiming it to be. Cleveland running it back. I think continuity is a huge thing.
[00:12:54] With a similar roster, I think they'll be in the hunt. I don't know if they. They get over the hump, but I think they'll be in the hunt. Philadelphia, I don't know how much I trust them, to be honest.
[00:13:05] So many moving pieces. How do you integrate Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecomb together, as well as Joel Embiid? Who knows if he'll be healthy. I could see them struggling early on, just trying to figure out their identity.
[00:13:21] And then Indiana, man, I feel like a lot of teams forget about Indiana, especially after the season they just had. But Tyrese back in the mix, back from a torn Achilles injury.
[00:13:32] Yeah, I'm just kind of going through the teams. I think the. The east is going to be competitive. Man, I don't know if I put Boston in that mix, especially after they get. They got rid of Jaylen Brown. Detroit is probably somewhere in that mix, even though I expect them to kind of take a. A step back. Losing some guys.
[00:13:51] Yeah, I don't know if there's any other teams, if there's any other teams that I'm like, missing in this top three, top four range, but yeah, I think it's attainable.
[00:14:06] I still think the Raptors are maybe like one to two moves on being like serious, serious contenders, but it's still early. We'll see. We'll see how everything shakes out. Did you hear about the bam? Adebayo and Tyler hero fight while in Vegas. Yeah, it was very funny. That same night, I saw Tyler hero walking through an undisclosed hotel with his girlfriend. It looked like he wasn't stressed, like he could care less.
[00:14:36] But yeah, that's pretty crazy that they got into it. Not a fair fight if you ask me, but I'm not surprised they got into it. Tyler was talking crazy. Sometimes, you know, bam, you just got to show people you got to be like, yo, you deserve to be put in your place even though you got traded, but you got to be happy they're not teammates anymore. Right. If you're the Heat, because God damn, if you're talking that spicy, that will be a very bad locker room environment. Next question here. Where do you think LeBron will go?
[00:15:07] I've had this discussion with a lot of people and Choms has reported that the teams in the mix are what? Golden State, Philadelphia, Miami, Minnesota and Cleveland. The one team I don't see him going to, to be honest, is Minnesota. Like LeBron, ending his career in Minneapolis just feels kind of weird if you ask me.
[00:15:32] I just don't know if I see it. Miami also, I don't know how that all fits. I can see him ending his career there, but I don't know how it all fits with a lot of non shooters. Like, to me it just feels very like clunky with Giannis, Bam and him.
[00:15:48] You know what I'm saying? Like a lot of non shooters on that roster. Yeah, maybe. Maybe he wants to retire Heat, you know, who knows? Philadelphia, in my opinion, if like LeBron is looking to ring Chase, if that is all he cares about, that gives him the best chance to win a championship out of all these options. If you ask me, he slots in pretty easy at the. At the what? The four. Tyrese, Maxey, Vijay, Jalen Brown, LeBron and Embiid. That's an insane lineup. That's like the team you build in 2k, but is that too many mouths to feed?
[00:16:24] The reason I like that fit though, is I see Tyrese Maxey is kind of like this guy that can play off the ball. He's not as ball dominant, but he can be sort of in that Kyrie type of role. Gunner. Offensively, LeBron can handle the playmaking duties. Jalen Brown has played with another ball dominant guy in Tatum, but it's going to take some sacrificing, you know. But I feel like if anybody that wants to sacrifice and win a championship, it's embiid and beat is probably hungry.
[00:16:56] Hungry for a title. You Know, Golden State, the other team, right.
[00:17:02] Golden State is a spot that I think a lot of people are, like, I've had conversations with, feel like they're really in the mix. Draymond Green even said he gave him a crazy pitch.
[00:17:15] And if you remember Draymond Green, Draymond Green is good at pitching. He got KD to join a team that just beat him in the playoffs while he was up 3 to 1 in the series. Draymond even declined, what his 27 million player option to give the warriors, like, flexibility and sign a smaller deal. Like, he's open to that. He's, like, waiting to see what LeBron does before anything. So I don't know him and LeBron are close, so I think that that goes a long way. And I know he probably loved playing with Steph Curry at the Olympics, right? Like, who doesn't want to play with that great of a shooter?
[00:17:54] And I think it's been reported he has a good relationship with Steve Kerr, at least from what I've heard, too. So that's probably a huge sell.
[00:18:01] So. Yeah. And that team is trying to get Anthony Davis.
[00:18:04] It's like the chatter at summer league. I doubt that happens. Davis was at the wizard summer league game.
[00:18:12] I know he's expecting a lot of money, too, which is kind of crazy to me considering he's barely played since being traded from LA to Dallas to Washington.
[00:18:23] But that would be an interesting four. Steph Draymond, Anthony Davis, LeBron James. This is like the old Avengers from, like, 2012 coming together.
[00:18:34] I don't think they win a title if I'm being real, but LeBron might just want to hoop with his homies, you know, to end his career and play pretty close to la, right?
[00:18:45] San Francisco is not that far, so wouldn't surprise me that he's like, you know what? Let me do it with the guys that I gel with the most. Let me go to Golden State.
[00:18:54] But the last option, Cleveland, to me, that's what I would do.
[00:18:59] Even though Philadelphia probably has the most talent.
[00:19:04] Golden State, you get to hoop with your homies.
[00:19:07] Miami, there's this nostalgic feeling. Minnesota, I'll be honest, I don't think you have a chance, but Cleveland, to me is like another opportunity. I think you have a chance at winning a ring to compete for a title. You're going back to your hometown, ending your career there.
[00:19:27] Very much a storybook and ending. If you ask me, the kid from Akron ended his career where it all started.
[00:19:36] I don't think Disney can write a Better script than that.
[00:19:41] I am worried though, with a little bit of that roster, like defensively, Donovan Mitchell and Harden getting blown by every single time. LeBron is also what, like 41, 42. Like, God damn, it's going to be tough. You're going to have to rely heavily on Mobley and Jared Allen and I don't know if they're up for the test. Man, they had an up and down playoffs. They were good at parts, but I don't know. I don't know. But that's what I would do. I would go to Cleveland, you know, just end it off there.
[00:20:12] I don't know if he plays one or two more years because I feel like that's the, that's the interesting part. Will he play one or two more years? I think he can play two more years, but does he want to?
[00:20:27] But yeah, I think Cleveland, out of all these options, nobody gets mad at, you know, Philadelphia might.
[00:20:33] A lot of people might say, like you're ring chasing, like you're desperate for a ring. Miami, I don't see the fit. Like I said, Golden State, too old. Minnesota, I'm sorry, I'll be shocked. But Cleveland, what a way to end your career.
[00:20:46] Let me know what you guys think. Where do you think LeBron will go? Where do you think is the perfect fit for LBJ to end his career?
[00:20:54] Next question here.
[00:20:56] Who impressed you at the Nike EYBL in Vegas?
[00:21:01] I'll say this, the clear cut guy was Liam made a caro. I had a ton of NBA scouts asking me who they should be watching and I told them, go watch you play 16 use.
[00:21:19] And for those that don't know, NBA teams are allowed, I think at two EYBL sessions and this was the one I think I saw. Every team at Nike did an amazing job, if you ask me, scheduling this right before summer league in the middle, in the beginning of summer league. So most teams spent literally like the first half of the day at the Las Vegas Convention center and then headed to Thomas and Mack for summer league. And yeah, I told most teams, go watch, go watch Liam play and let me know your thoughts. And everyone I spoke to was, man, they're like, they were left impressed. So yeah, Liam is probably the guy that I was like, wow, he's going to.
[00:22:04] If he's on the, he's on the right track to skyrocket potentially. So I don't think anyone is also talking about that team which hasn't lost a game.
[00:22:15] Devon lost one single game on the Nike circuit. They went 13 and oh, and are heading to Peace Jam with the real shot to win it all, which is crazy. They might be someone correct me because I'll be honest, I've been going to EYBL sessions maybe the last few years. But is this the first team in Canada that might go undefeated and win it all? I don't want to put a lot of pressure, but they've looked that good.
[00:22:45] And no offense to the Fiber U17 Canada team at the World cup. And I'll get into that team. There's some questions about that. People have questions.
[00:22:56] But I feel like if Canada sent this team instead, they would have done a better job.
[00:23:02] Everyone plays their role on this team and it's why they are one of the best AAU teams in North America for their age group right now.
[00:23:12] But yeah, Liam was a standout. He has offers from Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, ucla, Texas, the list goes on. We had him on the podcast Previewing the FIBA U17 World Cup. If you want to get to know him some more, go listen to that.
[00:23:26] Yeah, his game is very smooth, very Shea, like very shit. Like doesn't get sped up, plays at his pace, has a great mid range game and like he just knows how to like manipulate defenders.
[00:23:39] So yeah, he might be the, the next best Canadian player we're talking about in the next few years. So a name I feel like a lot of people should get to know very quickly. Liam Minaro from Alberta, Burundi. East African.
[00:23:57] You know, that makes me a bigger fan. East African. You know, I'm East African, so I gotta, I gotta support the fellow East African. I also really liked another player on his team.
[00:24:09] I think two players I really liked on their team too as well. That whole team is good.
[00:24:14] Hopefully I'm saying the name right. Isaiah, you know Jukin, big guard, played at Crestwood this past year. I didn't see much of him to be honest.
[00:24:24] Obviously Isaiah Hamilton was the guy that most people watch, so I was excited to get to see him. He was starting on that team, still filling into his body, but seems like a very smart player, has a great shot. They had him like defending the ball full court. Like yeah, they have a lot of size on that team. So a lot of mismatch issues for, for opponents when they go up against that uplay team. Another guy, Timo Ugoo, who was part of the FIBA U18America roster that won gold. I thought he was also very impressive. They have him playing like the four and the five. Like it's, it's. He can play, he can play multiple positions. I don't think he's a five. I think he's probably more of a three. Four.
[00:25:09] I gotta watch him more. But he's like your utility guy does everything, you know, which you always need on a team like that. So. Other guys I enjoyed watching was Malik Elijah, the son of Hakeem the dream Elijah. He's really taken off in these EYBL sessions and I remember watching his older brother Abdul.
[00:25:37] Malik, Elijah1.
[00:25:41] Abdulaziz. Sorry, Abdulaziz. Elijah on.
[00:25:44] And Aziz.
[00:25:46] I thought Aziz had a really good mid range game, but I do think there might be more to Malik's game at this age.
[00:25:55] This seems like a very smart player, has a really good shot, form, plays the right way, needs to probably get a lot stronger, but just has a knack for getting to loose balls, all that kind of stuff. He had a big time play where he drew a foul, shooting a three and like pump faked the defender and basically won them their final EYBL game in Vegas. It was quite impressive. Like he also had a poster during the week that left me speechless.
[00:26:35] He has a lot of potential, just needs to get stronger. I mean, if you see his brother and him like just too different in terms of like how much you could see Aziz is in the gym like crazy.
[00:26:47] But yeah, once Malik gets into that man, it'll be special. So probably just needs to get to that for college. But he has offers from what tcu. I'm reading it right now. Tcu, Auburn, Texas Tech, Mississippi State. So yeah, it's starting to take off for him. Cool to see. And you know what's also cool to see? Hakeem just being like a regular AAU dad, watching his son play. Bro, just like sits in the stands most times, wears a hat and he tries to act like he's not there, you know, keeps to himself. But everyone's like, bro, that's Hakeem. You know, like it's so easy to see.
[00:27:25] But yeah, he's like any other parent watching a game. Very passionate on the sidelines. I've chatted with him a few times and yeah, just cool to see. Also very cool to see a lot of the Canadian NBA players that came out to watch and support the next wave of talent. Dylan Brooks was out here watching EYBL basketball after playing in FIBA World cup qualifiers.
[00:27:51] This brother was just like standing and watching, giving advice to guys like Paul Saruri, who was fun to watch during this EYBL session.
[00:28:00] Man, and like Dylan was like just standing and like acting like he was a coach on the sideline. I'M like, damn, this guy is that invested.
[00:28:08] Another other players I'm trying to think of who was there. Uplay had a lot of alumni come out and sit on the bench with the team. Shading Sharp, Andrew Nemhard, Ryan Nemhard, Will Riley were all there.
[00:28:23] And when I see that, I'm like, these guys don't have to do that.
[00:28:28] You know, they already made it.
[00:28:30] There's no obligation, when you really think about it, to really give back support the next wave of talent.
[00:28:38] But they understand the importance of it and what seeing them means to the next generation.
[00:28:46] You know what I'm saying?
[00:28:48] So big shout out to those guys for coming out.
[00:28:53] And Nike eyl, like, just has so much NBA guys just roaming around. It's hard to name everyone.
[00:29:01] But that's probably one of my favorite parts about it too, is like, you just see legends walking by. I mentioned Akeem, Chris Paul always coaches his teams.
[00:29:10] Melo is always coaching his teams. And around it, like, these guys are all giving back to the next generation. So that's probably one of the coolest parts about Nike eyl. Next question here. This is where we get into the FIBA U17 talk.
[00:29:25] Someone asked, why was the FIBA U17 team so hyped? I'll say this, they should have been hyped.
[00:29:34] The amount of players ranked in the top 100 of ESPN 247 sports made this one of the most anticipated U17 teams we've ever seen. And I get it. You're like, yo, Lee, band rankings don't mean anything.
[00:29:50] But these guys are known.
[00:29:53] A lot of these players on this roster have NBA potential.
[00:29:59] But if we're being real, the showcase was straight embarrassing.
[00:30:05] And let's call it that, the FIBA U18 gold medal was great, a success. First time in the program's history they beat a USA team that had won, I think the last seven AmeriCups.
[00:30:24] But and let's also be frank too, the USA didn't send her like their Avengers lineup, you know, they still also had I'm not taking away anything away from that U18 team, but let's be real, there was a lot more hype with this U17 roster.
[00:30:43] So I think we need to take a hard look in the mirror about what's going on. Because I had an NBA scout that told me they were shocked about what they were watching out there from Canada. I wasn't there, so I can't speak to what happened behind the scenes.
[00:31:04] So if someone that was there that can be like Lee Ban nah, this is what actually happened. Let Me know, but from what I heard, there was a lot of turmoil within the team throughout the entire tournament.
[00:31:20] And some people told me that they thought players weren't really held accountable.
[00:31:27] That's from what I heard.
[00:31:29] And I'll say this to give grace.
[00:31:33] When you have so much talent, it's harder than it looks to get guys to gel in such a short amount of time, especially when camp is like a week, maybe less than a week, if that. And you play like only one exhibition game.
[00:31:51] And I'm still very high on a lot of these players in this class.
[00:31:55] But it's a joke when you're watching these guys struggle to defend and they have to go to a 2, 3 zone out the gate.
[00:32:07] That is shameful. And we got to acknowledge that.
[00:32:13] So, yeah, that those are kind of my thoughts.
[00:32:17] Next question. Kind of related to Fiber U17. Someone asked, can you give a post U17 world roster performance and grades, coaches and players? I'm not going to do that for a couple reasons and I'll explain why. These, to me are promising young talents. At the end of the day, they don't need criticism to that degree at this age.
[00:32:40] That's how I feel. I wouldn't personally, I wouldn't want to listen to a podcast and hear someone give a great performance on me. We'll save that stuff for the senior men's national team, the senior women's national team, you know what I'm saying? Like, when they become pros.
[00:32:58] For me, judging U17 players, coaches like, it's not. That's not doing it justice, you know, it's not. I'm not providing any value.
[00:33:07] And I'll be honest, I don't want. I didn't watch a lot of the games after they lost to Australia, you know, after that game, what Australia did to them in the quarterfinals, that was a real team that I witnessed, you know, shout out to the people that did watch the entire tournament completely through. I could have put myself through it when I was watching them play a 2, 3 zone.
[00:33:34] I'll probably go back and watch the tape of that France game, which they also got killed in that game.
[00:33:42] But I probably don't want to, to be honest. But thank God, if I'm that team, if I'm the program, thank God they didn't play USA Basketball because USA Basketball, who ended up winning that tournament against Serbia, they played them last year and I do think the score would have been very, very ugly.
[00:34:07] Again, very ugly.
[00:34:10] But to somewhat answer your question on grades, that kind of stuff, I think maybe one or two players get a grade higher than B. Nobody else.
[00:34:22] I think you could probably figure out who those two players are. But yeah, I don't want to get into that kind of stuff because I feel like it's. I don't want to sit here being like, this person gets a.
[00:34:32] A B minus. This. You know, like, it's not. I'm not here to do that kind of stuff. That's kind of. I'm also not a scout.
[00:34:38] I'm a media person, to be frank with you. You know, like, I'm not here saying this is what this person's potential is going to be. That kind of stuff. You know, I kind of talk to the experts, I talk to the scouts, I get their thoughts, and from there, that informs my reporting, you know, as a guy that tells stories. So, yeah, and I don't think anybody wants to see. Actually. I think a lot of people want to sit here and hear me. Great players, but.
[00:35:03] Nah, that's not the stuff I want to do. But. Next question.
[00:35:07] Now that Isaiah Hamilton is taking his talents to Florida, who is the best high school talent in Canada?
[00:35:14] I do think that's up for grabs.
[00:35:16] A lot of guys have been transferring, announcing moves to the States. It's hard to say how many exactly. I'll probably do a podcast looking into it and kind of like the players to watch for next high school season. We kind of do that like in September, I think, usually the players to keep a close eye on that kind of stuff. Dangan Gore is probably the name that comes to mind when it comes to the best high school talents. And in Canada, I know Joe Musa or North Pole Hoops. He had him at number one in terms of Canadian talent. In Canada, he was a dog too, right? FIBA U18America for Canada. I've said it before, he's who I want to be if I was hooping. He just has this competitive fire in him that you can't teach.
[00:36:00] Has offers from West Virginia, unlv, Georgia Tech, Ohio State. Racked up a bunch more from like, Auburn, Marquette, Virginia, South Carolina, Wash. List goes on, man. Yeah, shout out to Dang, man. We had him on a podcast too, previewing the FIBA U18, and I'm excited for him. South Sudan, always representing. So Dang is a player that I. I'll be watching very closely and who I think, if you ask me, might be the best high school talent in Canada from just people I've spoken to. So another player, Steven Illich, I think has looked really good out here playing with you play in the uibl he's still I feel like developing was at Basketball Without Borders at All Star Weekend. So he's a guy that has a lot of potential. A lot of people see the potential in him. So yeah, I'm excited to watch him. I think he plays at Tri City Prep I believe. I don't know if he's back there next year but a player I'll be watching. Praise Bodegio is another player I like. He's going to be at Orangeville next year. Was such a fun player to watch at King Heights helping them get to the NPA title game against Ridley College.
[00:37:17] He's going to be fun to watch. I've been watching a bit of Uplay 15 use and he's the star player. This guy's getting double teamed on a.
[00:37:26] On a given on every single game like it's crazy.
[00:37:31] But yeah, he's the player I would. I would be watching too. Am I forgetting anybody else? Tylon Ennis, the younger brother, a former NBA player, Tyler Ennis. He's coming back to Canada to play at Crestwood under his father Tony McIntyre.
[00:37:50] I'm excited for that. I watched him play Eybill last year and I thought he just had such a high iq, good shooter. I could see him surprising a lot of people with how good he is coming from playing high school basketball in Houston.
[00:38:05] But yeah, those are the names that kind of come off the top of my head. Momo Sanogo is another player I've heard of. I haven't watched him much but I need to plays at Kota Canopy under my guy Chris Smallings.
[00:38:21] I think he's picked up a ton of offers recently too playing AU basketball, VA, Pitt, Arizona State, Georgetown. I'll be on the lookout. Momo Sanogo, that's the player I'll be probably watching too. I think he's entering grade 11 too so very interesting. But yeah, let me know if there's any names that I'm missing. Like I said, I. I don't like to claim that I'm an expert in this kind of stuff but I'm pretty tapped in. I'll pretty. I talk to a lot of people right Just in terms of like who I should be watching for and I try to get out to as much basketball games as possible during the season is kind of. During the high school season is kind of tough but once summer hits I at least go check out a UIBL session and then Peace jam, that kind of stuff. So.
[00:39:03] And then yeah, this is going to be Janet Finch classic. So I think a lot of Canadian players can be playing in that. Some fun stuff I think happening at the end of July within the city in terms of basketball.
[00:39:14] But yeah, let me know any names that you guys like. Most guys are in the States if we're being real. But if you have any names that I should be on the lookout for, let me know.
[00:39:23] Next question here. Who do you think will be the best Canadian player in college basketball next year? Now this is my, I feel like my wheelhouse because I feel like I, I follow this pretty closely. It's hard to say, but I would probably go with Miles Saller coming into his freshman year.
[00:39:41] The Athletic I think has him as a first round pick in their too early mock draft and I don't blame him.
[00:39:49] I've watched Miles up close the last few years. We had him on the pod multiple times as well.
[00:39:56] Nobody, and I mean nobody was able to stop this guy on the high school level. Led Bella Vista to a Chipotle national title, Nike Scholastic title and almost led the world team at the Nike Hoop Summit to a win over USA Basketball for the first time I think in like what was it, 20, 18, 19. I don't remember the last time the world team won. It's been a while. But yeah, he'll have the ball in his hands at West Virginia.
[00:40:26] And yeah, he's probably the name to watch, you know, we'll see because a lot of people always talk about the height with Miles, but he's overcoming every stage, every stage. So I'm not really concerned, you know. And he tells me he's six foot, you know, so I take Miles by his word, you know, he's six foot.
[00:40:44] Next player. I like Ishan Sharma a lot too.
[00:40:48] I heard and I heard that Florida came calling trying to get him over there after the season that he had at St. Louis. But he's loyal. He's staying at St. Louis with Josh Schwartz.
[00:41:02] NBA teams are also going to start looking at this guy pretty closely. I think that buzz will grow, especially just being a knockdown shooter and he loves the gym.
[00:41:13] Hard worker.
[00:41:15] Yeah, I think the buzz will grow. He shot like 40% from three. So you can't teach that the shooting. You can't do shooting but that's a skill. That shooting is such needed in the league, you know. So yeah, I like Ishan Sharma, Jovan Malicevic, another player I like and yeah, if you are starting to get a accustomed to this, I'm naming players that we've had on the podcast, all three of these guys, you know, but that shows you you know, like, I'm tapped in. We're trying to get guys that are expected to have big seasons in college next year. Yovon at Xavier expected to be one of the main guys.
[00:41:52] So, yeah, we had Yovon, I think, back in. Was it May or early June? We had him on Mike Nooko, another name that's also headed to Xavier. I followed him. I watched him with the Nike Hoop Summit a few years ago. Aiden Holloway is another name that should keep tabs on. Obviously, a lot of stuff happened at the end of the season at Alabama where he didn't play, was arrested, that kind of stuff. But you'd expect him to probably be back next season. Who knows if he's out of Alabama, but hoping the best for. For Aiden Holway. Nathan George at pit. Another name I'll be watching. But yeah, those are the names. This was the first year I don't think I talked about on the podcast, but if you listen regular, you knew I was saying this throughout the entire season that I doubted a Canadian gets drafted. And that came true. This was the first year since 2020 a Canadian wasn't drafted. I'm also not 100% certain if a Canadian will get drafted next year as well.
[00:42:54] We're in some shaky territory, but we'll follow it. We'll speak to experts and get their insights and yeah, but yeah, Miles is probably the main guy. I'll be watching. Next question here.
[00:43:08] What was it like watching AJ DeBonsa against Darren Peterson to open summer league? Cool as hell. I think AJ Said it. But the rivalry between these two, I feel like, is getting a bit overblown. It's not like Wemby and Chat. That matchup, in my opinion, feels like pure hate on Wemby's part. Especially these guys. Aj, Darren, they know each other pretty well. They played USA Basketball together, are somewhat close. I don't know how close, but playing USA Basketball circuits, that, that, that brings people together, you know, but basketball is basketball. These guys are competitors. Ag, I thought looked really good in that game.
[00:43:47] And I think the Wizard Summer League team is really good. Trey Johnson played really well in that first game. They shut him down. Will Riley as well has looked really good. And I'll get into a bit from another question that we have.
[00:44:00] And yeah, I don't think people realize Will and AJ played Hoop Summit together two years ago. So they know each other. So there's that familiarity with each other. I think they also played against Trey Johnson in that Nike Summit game, if I'm correct. So, yeah, there's these guys know each other, but cool atmosphere. I would say that was probably the most packed game on Thursday. I feel like summer league kind of dies down on on Monday. I don't know why I'm still here till Tuesday, but that's what I'm doing.
[00:44:33] But yeah, cool atmosphere. I still, if I'm being real with you, I still would have taken Darren Peterson number one.
[00:44:39] Someone I spoke to that played against both these guys said Darren is the better player right now, but they think AJ Has a higher ceiling, which I think is true. If he can maximize it at 69, the ability to get his shot over anybody, you understand why the Wizards picked him number one. But I still, personally, when I watched Darren Peterson played one game in Canada a few years back, he gave me Kawhi vibes.
[00:45:09] And I was so scared to say that out loud because I'm like, what will people think? I'm saying this guy's Kawhi. And then everyone a year later was like, this guy is Kawhi Leonard. Especially like, he's a little introvert. That's why I'm kind of like happy that him going number two, I think to Utah is a good spot for him. Not as much pressure being the top pick and you slot in very well. Keante George, Lori Markkonnen, Jaren Jackson. Utah should be competitive in my opinion, in the west, very competitive, as well as Washington, if everyone can stay healthy. I think both teams adding Darren and AJ should be very competitive.
[00:45:48] Next question here. What's your wildest summer league story so far?
[00:45:52] I mean, some stories I can't share. You know the saying, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But I'll say this.
[00:46:00] It's kind of crazy to see summer league players partying till 4am when they got a game the next day.
[00:46:11] That's when you realize maybe that's why things haven't really worked out for them. No names, though. No names. I'm also outside late, you know, but I'm a reporter.
[00:46:26] I don't have to play four quarters of basketball against people fighting for a job for their livelihood. You know what I'm saying?
[00:46:33] So, yeah, next question here. What why hasn't Rowan Barrett come on the podcast?
[00:46:40] I'll say this, the invitation has been was sent out. He's always welcome to come on the podcast. I've had great, great chats with Rowan in the past. I don't know how busy his schedule is, but I do know he's been on other podcasts talking about the senior team. So it's up to him. At the end of the day, to be frank, I feel like we do the best job when it comes to covering Canadian basketball on all levels, especially being the only one that does it on a weekly basis, if I'm correct. We have honest, real convos here, talking about the good, the bad, whatever it is. Real, authentic conversations. So, yeah, he's always welcome. You know, I'm eager to chat about the ups, the downs, the senior team, you know, no cookie cutter questions, too. You know, a real convo that I think a lot of people would like to hear. Even Gordy Herbert would love to get him on eventually, you know, but he's probably busy coaching. But I feel like there's a window where we can get both of them on. But, yeah, invitation has been sent on my part. We'll have Rowan on whenever he wants to come on. Invitation is always out there, you know. So, yeah, final question here.
[00:47:53] Will Riley.
[00:47:55] That's it.
[00:47:56] Just talk about your guy Will Riley. I love how you guys know Will Riley's my guy. What can I say? I've talked about him so much on this podcast. I've been telling people I think Will is going to be a player that will have a lot of NBA teams thinking, how the hell did we let him drop to number 21 in the draft? He's listed as 6, 9, and I think in shoes, he actually might be 6, 11.
[00:48:30] If I'm being honest with you, I don't know if they updated correctly. I even spoke to, like, Keyshawn George at FIBA World cup qualifiers, and he said, I didn't realize he was that tall. And Keyshawn's like, what, six, eight, six, nine.
[00:48:47] So if he's saying that his teammate, who. He also said me and him are in the gym, 5am sessions in Washington. If he's saying he's tall as hell, he's got to be taller than 6, 8, 6, 9. I want to find out how tall he really is.
[00:49:05] And I'll be honest, we had plans to get Will Riley on the podcast in summer league, but I have a better idea that I'm hoping we can make happen in the next few weeks as long as schedule aligns.
[00:49:18] So stay tuned for that. Cross your fingers. I just think a better podcast in the city or somewhere else is better than doing at summer league and having, you know, our whole crew out there, that kind of stuff. But he impressed.
[00:49:35] Impressed in his second summer league game.
[00:49:38] 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 9 of 14 shootings, 6 for 6 from 3.
[00:49:46] Brother didn't miss if you ask me, the wizard scouting department, they deserve their flowers.
[00:49:55] But Will's also just a gym rat. You know, that's what I've been saying. That's what the Wizard Summer League head coach also said.
[00:50:04] I've said it before, this guy just loves to hoop.
[00:50:06] Moves so like unorthodox that it throws defenders off. You don't know how he's gonna move, if he's gonna get to the rim, if he's gonna pull up.
[00:50:18] Like I said, Wizard Summer league coach talked about him being a gym rat. He also compared him to Manu Ginobili, which is funny because that's who Will like watched growing up.
[00:50:29] And yeah, sky's the limit. Sky's the limit for Will.
[00:50:33] He's going to be special if he keeps on this trajectory.
[00:50:38] All star potential. That's how I see it. But yeah, it's also summer league. Let's not get our hopes so high. Let's not put too much pressure. But was a hard worker, so I know it will all work out for him. And by the time this is coming out, this podcast, I already heard he's not going to be playing another summer league game. No reason to.
[00:51:01] He just showed he's too good for this. So shout out to Will.
[00:51:05] Shout out to Will. That wraps up this mailbag episode from Summer League.
[00:51:12] I had a few podcasts planned like I said while out here, but pushing them further, I think it will be a smart decision in the long run because I got some fun stuff in the works I'm excited for y' all to see.
[00:51:30] Next time you hear from me, I'll be in Augusta, Georgia for Peach Jam watching the next wave of talent and where I should also be joined by a special guest while I'm out there, a potential gold medalist.
[00:51:45] Stay tuned for that.
[00:51:47] This has been the Canadian Basketball show your go to spot for the latest news, stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. Leave a five star rating and review wherever you listen to your podcast.
[00:52:00] And we out.
