Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:04] Speaker B: 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 Ben Osman. If you enjoyed last week's episode previewing some of the top Canadians in college basketball, well, you're lucky. We're joined by one this week. He's one of the most versatile forwards in all college basketball, I believe, and is set to headline Santa Clara's roster this season.
From Scarborough, Ontario, Elijah Mahi, my guy. How you doing?
[00:00:31] Speaker A: I'm good, man. Thank you for having me. How are you?
[00:00:33] Speaker B: Good, good, good, man. I want to know, it's raining out here in Toronto right now. The time I'm recording this podcast. How Santa Clara, what's the weather out there? Is it treating you nice?
[00:00:42] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, it's really nice. Outside, it's sunny. Actually.
It was a little cloudy earlier today around like 9am, 10am but the sun always comes down. I love the weather out here, man. It's one of the greatest things about Santa Clara.
[00:00:54] Speaker B: I'm jealous, man. I got to come out there, check out a game. Check, check you guys out. Can't really. Obviously in Toronto, it's about to get cold out here. By the time people are listening to this podcast, he's going to be gearing up to play in his first game this season on November 4th. That's the time you're going to be listening to this podcast. What's the level of excitement just like heading into this season, gearing up for your. For your senior year?
[00:01:14] Speaker A: Man, I'm overly excited. You know, I've been working all summer, all spring, spending a long time coming, and I'm just ready. I'm excited. I really am.
[00:01:24] Speaker B: Yeah. So when the season ends, walk me through it. What was like, season ends? What, in March, in April, Walk me through. Like, what were you doing, like, throughout those months from April, May, June, July, August, going back to school? What was. Take me through the whole process. What was it like preparing and also just working out the summer?
[00:01:43] Speaker A: Well, so I think we lost our last game against UAB around March, like second week of March. So we had spring break. I went home for a week, chilled with the family. Then we came back out here for school and then we had like a week off and then went right back to work and we started working out again.
And what.
[00:02:03] Speaker B: Yeah, I was gonna ask, what do you do to like, prepare ahead of a college season for yourself? Like, what does that look like? Does that look like in the gym 24 7, like, getting up shots? Like, what. What does preparation for college season look.
[00:02:14] Speaker A: Like for you, getting up a lot of shots, lifting a lot, watching a lot of games, you know, if I'm outlifting or getting shots up, a lot of rehab and stuff and just anything that I could do to get myself prepared for the season.
[00:02:29] Speaker B: Yeah, you talk about watching a lot of film. What teams do you like to watch or.
I don't know. I feel like you're a student of the game too, huh?
[00:02:37] Speaker A: Yeah, I like to watch the Pacers. They play fast, they play physical, the guard, full court. Kind of a thing that our coach wants us to do. So I watch. I watch a little bit of the Charlottes. Crazy call out, but I watched a little bit of them, a little bit Utah. They have a lot of young talent on that team. I watch them. I watch a little bit of everybody. But those are a couple teams.
[00:03:00] Speaker B: I said, you watch the trash teams too. I give you credit because some people can't see. I can't sit through that. I'm struggling right now watching the Raptors play, to be honest with you. But, hey, shout out to you.
[00:03:11] Speaker A: Student gems, hidden gems. Yeah, yeah.
[00:03:15] Speaker B: You spent some time, obviously, with Canada basketball. Global Jam was in the gym also with a ton of NBA guys. How would you just, like, describe your summer and then tell me the time? Like, what was that, like, when Canada basketball called you up to play Global Jam? Walk me through that, man.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: It was great. I love playing for Team Canada. Like, it's honestly just such a blessing every time I got to play with those guys and. And it's.
It's honestly amazing. Like, I got to learn so much from these guys and. And then working out with them. Sometimes I'll be working out with the men's teams and just be passing them and seeing how their preparation is. It's just. I'm just so blessed for that.
[00:03:50] Speaker B: Yeah, I heard you were in some scrimmages with potentially the mvp, the guy that did it all this year, Shay. Nikhil.
What was that like getting into those runs?
[00:04:02] Speaker A: It was great. I remember coming in probably like 30 to 40 minutes before them, and then just seeing how Shea will come in there and then Nikhil come in there and then it's just straight mobility stuff. They got their trainer on the sides, and then they just be stretching for like 30 to 45 minutes before they even touch a basketball.
And it's just I see how, like, on one side you see them stretching, and the other side she guys getting shots up. And then a lot of these NBA guys love playing like, one on one against Each other before we even start playing. And they're playing one on one for probably like an hour. And it's crazy because it's just like, just these guys, preparation. They take everything so seriously, you know, and it's just so much I learned from just seeing them do that.
[00:04:43] Speaker B: Yeah, a lot of trash talking in.
[00:04:44] Speaker A: Those one on ones a little bit, but I feel like everybody trash talks, you know, a little bit, but, yeah, definitely a little bit, actually.
[00:04:52] Speaker B: Have you guarded those guys and like, what was that experience like? Was there anybody that was like, damn, I could tell why you. You get paid what you do for a living?
[00:05:00] Speaker A: Oh, yeah. A lot of these guys, I think the biggest one.
I think the biggest one that stepped out to me was definitely like, Lou Dort.
[00:05:08] Speaker B: Interesting.
[00:05:10] Speaker A: Dylan Brooks, obviously, he's just.
I find so much respect in Dylan Brooks. I think he's such a great basketball player.
But all these guys, man, everybody who's in the league is there for a reason, man. They. They got it, you know, And I'm just trying to get to where they're at. So. Yeah.
[00:05:24] Speaker B: You mentioned Lou Dort. I feel like his role in the NBA, obviously he started at the G league, which is kind of crazy. Earned his way, earned his contract, earned his money, and then kind of made a name for himself, like guarding harden in the bubble and then from there, like this three and D specialist can shoot the ball very well. Shot the ball really well during the championship run. What was it maybe that, like, people on the average don't notice about Ludor, that you're like, damn, this guy is like, he deserves more love or credit that you. That you notice just like, guarding him.
[00:05:55] Speaker A: Honestly, like, it's just everything. I feel like he's getting the respect he needs as time goes on, you know, he is. He is so strong, like, you know, and. And he could really shoot the ball. Like, he's getting a lot better at it, and he could play making all this stuff. I feel like he's getting more respect as time goes on. And it's. It's. I see it.
[00:06:13] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, anything like the biggest thing you probably learned from. From those pickup runs with the pros that you're like, I need. I'm taking into this season at Santa Clara.
[00:06:22] Speaker A: All these guys just have no wasted movements. You know, they know what they want to do before when they get the ball. And this is. They just go out and do it, you know, and they're just so strong. They're just. The IQ is just at a whole nother level. And honestly, just they play as a team with. No matter who's on their team, even if it's just pickup runs. But the biggest thing is it's so competitive, you know, really competitive. And then as the runs went on, even me, there's a point. I just want to just watch it, you know, because they're just so competitive to. To a point where it's like, man, like, these are really pros in here. Like, they really want it at anything they do. And. And that's something that I'm obviously taking into account with just my team alone is just winning. Look, everything doesn't matter what it is, you know, we gotta be competitive. Cause that's what we need.
[00:07:05] Speaker B: Yeah. Winning every drill. Winning every, like. Yeah, that's. That's the mentality. What part of your game do you feel that you kind of honed it on most this summer? That you're like, I need a. I need maybe add this to my game. Or I want to spend as much time as possible on this for. For this upcoming year. Everything.
[00:07:24] Speaker A: You know, I feel like I'm at that point where I have to get better at everything. There's nothing that I could really. Just. Just one thing I could focus on. I need to get better at everything.
My coach would say, probably defense. You know, I've been working real hard on defense, trying to be able to guard 1 through 4, 1 through 5, being able to switch and move around offensively. I'll say shooting.
I feel like I'm a great passer, but I feel like what come with passing is like your iq.
And what comes with that is just really watching the game, reading the game, scouting team, seeing how players play, seeing their tendencies are like, just. Just all of it. You know, I just want to be the best basketball player I possibly can be. So I focus on everything.
[00:08:05] Speaker B: Yeah. I had Matthew Winick, who's a college basketball analyst, on the podcast. He said, you're a very underrated passer that people don't get to. To see. I'm gonna ask you what you think is the most underrated part. I don't know. Your coach is saying, talking about the defense, I feel like you're a good defender. May. Maybe I'm watching the game wrong, but I see why they're like, you know, what we just. Just obviously that. That translates to the next level, you know, and obviously now I just want to get into your background. From Scarborough going. I feel like your story is probably, like, probably the most unique.
We don't hear about it often. Going from Juco to Santa Clara getting out. NBA buzz. Like, people I talked to in the league are like, yeah, I'm watching for Elijah Mahi this season, but take me through. Just like, when was the first time, like, maybe you were introduced to basketball? Do you remember that time? And just, like, when you first started playing, maybe in the neighborhood or something like that?
[00:08:53] Speaker A: Yeah, my dad, you know, shout out to my dad. He just. Honestly, I like to say, he put the ball in my hand. I remember a vivid memory of us in the kitchen, and he was asking me, like, do I want to play basketball? And I told him, yeah. And he's like, you're going to have to make a lot of sacrifices and. And, you know, you're gonna have to miss out on a lot of things. And I. I told him, yeah, it's something I want to do. And then, just, ever since then, he's just been a rock, you know, he's just always been there for me, always just helped me throughout the journey. And then as time went on, he's just been like, the. The guy who is just there, but if I need to call him for anything, he's just always there for me.
And it's just. He. He's. He's done it all for me, man. I wouldn't be here today without him.
[00:09:34] Speaker B: Was he a Hooper?
[00:09:35] Speaker A: Yeah, he was a Hooper from Cameroon. And then he came down here around, like, his late early 20s. He went to Jarvis in Toronto.
[00:09:45] Speaker B: Hey.
[00:09:45] Speaker A: And then close to me.
[00:09:46] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm downtown.
[00:09:48] Speaker A: He was. He was a great Hooper. He played for his national team just like I did. And. And it just. Yeah, he just taught me a lot. Like, a lot.
[00:09:56] Speaker B: You talked about playing for the national team.
What was his feeling like, seeing you following his footsteps and playing for the national team? I'm guessing I gotta be a cool, cool moment, you know?
[00:10:06] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah, man, I. It was crazy, you know, because I feel like for him, my dad has so much confidence in me, even in times where, like, I. I'm a little, like, shaky about it, but he has so much confidence in me where it's like, he knew I was gonna do it before I even really did it. So when I did it, he was kind of like.
He was like, you know, son, I knew you're gonna do it. You know, it's just your time to go do it now. And I'm just. That's what I'm saying. Like, he's. He just put so much confidence and. And just helps me so much where it's like, he knew it was gonna happen. It was Just a matter of time. It was God's timing.
[00:10:40] Speaker B: Yeah. For people listening in.
We're obviously on virtual. We're doing this virtual. He has his Canada jersey hung up. I gotta get one of those. You gotta, you gotta send me one of those, man.
But obviously talk about growing up Scarborough. Grew up in Galloway, also a very tough nose neighborhood in the city. I'm guessing that's also made you who you are. Talk me just about what was it like growing up there and how that kind of made you who you are.
[00:11:04] Speaker A: It was tough.
There was a lot of. I say there was a lot of distractions growing up, but I had two of my choral friends I still talk to, to this day. They were just older than me by a year. And we just really used to just play basketball so much. I went to Eastview Junior Public School and it was just a boys and girls club nearby. And Kareem, I knew him since, man, if it was a grade two, you know, and he just helped. He was another guy who helped me with my skills and helped me just stay on the court, you know, I had a lot of older guys growing up. I was like one of the younger guys in my generation. Just, just always see around, like the older guys just play basketball and I used to just, just always be around it, you know, and then that was just kind of like what helped me. So like just being growing up in Galloway, I have never really.
I seen it, but I would just. Always had a basketball always just on the court. There was a court right outside where my. Where I lived, and it was just always where I was at. So it just, it was tough. There was a lot of things that I see then I had to overcome, but it was just always basketball. And that just helped me.
[00:12:12] Speaker B: Yeah. Being from Scarborough, I want to get your thoughts on this. What neighborhood produces the best talent in the GTA from your point of view? And I, I know you're probably giving us some biased answer to probably gonna say Scarborough, but if you're gonna say Scarborough, why Scarborough, man?
I want to hear we're just tough.
[00:12:29] Speaker A: Yeah, we're just tough. You know, I feel like I can name a lot of names, man. I can name a lot of names. A lot of guys came out of Scarborough, but if you look at the way, like we play out of Scarborough, we're very crafty.
I feel like growing up there was a lot of guys where were. They were all good at a lot of things, you know, like good scores, good passers, and that's like kind of like what we are coming out of Scarborough. We're really tough. We're really, really tough. And that's why I think, obviously I'm gonna say Scarborough every time.
[00:12:58] Speaker B: Yeah. Who do you feel like are some of the best players? Obviously Nikhil in the league. Leonard Miller, any other guys. You. You should give a shout out to Scarborough.
[00:13:07] Speaker A: Yeah, Leonard for sure. Grew up with him. Vashon a lot. Grew up with him. Another tough player.
Yeah, I think. I think I'll give it to those guys. Those two guys, those are really good. One of my people's growing up.
[00:13:21] Speaker B: Any other neighborhood you. You feel like is a close second.
[00:13:24] Speaker A: No.
[00:13:24] Speaker B: You want to shout.
I don't know. Rex still got some players, man. And Downtown.
[00:13:29] Speaker A: Downtown.
[00:13:30] Speaker B: I'm from downtown, so we downtown. We got some talent coming up. But yeah, I don't know. I'm kind of tired of seeing Shout out to Shay, Shout out to Shane Sharp. I'm tired of seeing the Hamiltons, the London, you know, I'm kind of tired, but you know, shout out to them, man. The gta. GTA is a big spot.
You played at Bill Crothers. What do you remember about those days? Because that's the first time, actually, I think I watched you play. I was like, this kid's good. What do you remember about the Bill Crothers days? How'd you even end up at that school?
[00:13:55] Speaker A: It was crazy. Went to Pine Ridge for two years out in Pickering and then just got recruited to go to Bill Crothers. Kind of heard of it as a. As a sports school. And then just, you know, one of the things where my dad just told me, you know, want to take it to another level, this is your opportunity, and just go out there and just play your ball. And it was tough. You know, that was the first time where I ever had to have like 7am workouts. You know, practicing at 7am and then waking up at like 5am taking the, you know, the TTC to go out to Markham every day at 5:30. And it was. It was tough. But like, looking back at it, it was.
I love that team so much. And it's just. I still talk to those guys to this day, and it's. It was a great experience.
[00:14:40] Speaker B: How long was the bus ride? Because I remember speaking to Leonard a while. He's from Scarborough too. He's like. He used to travel all the way to Bill and he was like, long nights and sometimes waking up very early just for practice. What do you remember about those. Those bus rides?
[00:14:54] Speaker A: Hour and a half every time. You know, it's like you try to like time it like man K at least the hour 15.
But it's. It was, it was a tough one, but it builds who you are, man. It just, it's tough, but it's. It's amazing, man. Bill Cruz is a great school. I actually really like that school a lot.
[00:15:11] Speaker B: Yeah. And I feel like it shows like, do you really love this game? Like, are you really sacrifice? You know, like going out, traveling, getting on the bus, that kind of stuff.
You also played au basketball at Northern Kings, If I might add, with a guy that's in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies. Zach Eady.
What do you remember about early Zach Eaty? Young Zach Eady? Because I don't feel like maybe a lot of people, like from a player perspective, you might be the only ones that can tell us like what Zach was like.
Like also like learning how to play basketball early on. What do you remember about early Zach Eddy?
[00:15:45] Speaker A: When I first saw him. This guy's tall, you know, I remember meeting him and I met his mom also. This is like way. This is early Zach Eaty. And then he was just very tall, very quiet, very humble. You know, I feel like me playing basketball as long as like I have, you see big men who can't really catch the basketball, you know, that's like something like some big bands deal with. But with him, like he was able to catch like everything, you know, and obviously at his sides he was able to finish and just seeing how. Because it was. I think I was on U15 and he was on U17 at that time. And then the northern king, U17, like they won it all. And I remember being on the sideline and watching them win and everything. It was just like he was just, just. He was so dominant. You knew he was going to be something with basketball if he just kept on working and. And Northern Kings definitely helped him to get where he was at.
[00:16:36] Speaker B: How stacked was was your teams, those AAU teams? Like who. Who was on those rosters? What you?
[00:16:41] Speaker A: Yeah, all my guys, man.
Shout out My guy Eman, still one of my close friends to this day.
We had a lot of guys, a lot of guys who went D1.
Yeah. I feel like with Northern Kings we.
But they don't really talk about how much guys really came out of there. You know, I feel like we had a lot, a lot of players throughout the times. But yeah, a lot it was great talents coming out.
[00:17:04] Speaker B: Yeah, shout out to Marcus Carr. He's killing it overseas for sure. Another Northern Kings guy.
When did NCAA Schools, like, start showing interest in you. Do you remember, like, your first offer, what that feeling was like? Walk me through that.
[00:17:17] Speaker A: Yeah, it was that Bill credits. It was homecoming.
And I remember after the game, we're in the locker room and then they. They called me and another guy who played on Northern Kings with me, Connor, they called us out and then they said that there was a coach from UMass. And then that was my. My first offer was from UMass. University of Massachusetts.
[00:17:38] Speaker B: What was your reaction when you heard that? Who was the first person you told?
[00:17:41] Speaker A: Oh, my dad, for sure, I think. But funny enough, I think my dad already knew.
I think you already knew, but I remember driving home and I was kind of in shock, but I was kind of just, like, happy, you know, because it was just like. It meant, like, I was being seen, you know, coming out of the gallery, like, that was like, the biggest thing for me was just growing up, I just wanted to be seen. And I just wanted to tell myself, you know, I have an opportunity, you know, if one day basketball stops. I said, you know, at least I had an opportunity. And I try my best, you know, so just. It was great, you know, talking to my dad. I just wanted more after. I just wanted. I want to be one of those guys who had 30 offers and all this stuff. So I just wanted more.
[00:18:25] Speaker B: Yeah. Do you feel like it's. Has it changed in terms of like, the way Canadians are recruited? Like, in your opinion? Like, do you feel like a lot of guys when you're coming up, like, but now obviously, like, Shay's obviously doing his thing. I'm hearing more coaches are like, we need to tap into the Canadian market. What's your thoughts on just, like, what it was like getting recruited and then like, obviously, like, seeing kind of like the rise. I feel like a lot of guys now are. Are getting more offers than probably a few years or maybe, like, I don't know, maybe like 10 years ago. It's probably completely different. What are your thoughts?
[00:18:54] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, definitely. Before COVID it was definitely different. You know, AAU was like, everything for us. You got to go out there and play your hard up because that's the only time we're going to be in America to play.
But not, like, with social media and all this stuff. Gag. It's so much easier for guys to get recruited and stuff. And there's bigger, like, basketball clubs in America, in Toronto now, in Canada, that, that they're seeing teams. You know, back then it was only really, what, Orangeville. That was really like a. A big Basketball team that coaches used to go out and see. So yeah, it's definitely changed a lot just with social media alone like coaches are able to see these young players and I'm seeing it just with myself seeing all these young guys getting some high major schools offers. Yeah.
[00:19:39] Speaker B: Obviously end up going to juco at West Valley College. What were your expectations of juco at basketball and what was like the reality when you got there?
[00:19:49] Speaker A: I didn't really have no expectations. You know, I just wanted to go play basketball.
Yeah. It was not really like I had like I didn't really understand what I was doing.
Like in a sense like I didn't know what I was stepping into. I kind of just went out there and just said, you know I, I, I trust in coach Yosh. One of probably one of the best coach I ever played for. And he just helped me understand the game, read the game and just help my, my skills. So I didn't have expectations going into there.
[00:20:21] Speaker B: What was their vision for you when you got there?
Because look, I'm just like, let's go through it all. You led your team to an undefeated season 33 0.
I don't know how much I've seen that from people.
Won the state championship, named the California player of the year. I'm really, I could go on Juan. MVP honors at the CCCAA state tournament. I don't know what that is but it's something you know, that's special.
How would you just like you describe your time at West Valley College?
I'm reading all these accolades. I'm like damn.
[00:20:51] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah man, I love West Valley. Still 20, 30 minutes up from there right now.
They changed my life.
Just a place where first year I had to, you know, understand everything, get to. Because I moved out in California first time ever being out here. And then the second year I came out there and I said, you know, still living with the same guys. We had our core core five or six guys and we just, we knew what we were capable of doing.
And then like you just said 33. 0 we went out there and did it.
[00:21:23] Speaker B: Man. I'm just like I'm, I wish I could have seen that. 33 and I was kind of crazy. What do you feel like is the most under appreciated thing about juco basketball? Because it's like, let's be real. That's like, that's gutter basketball. That's like you gotta, that's like everyone's fighting, you know to get to that, to that next level. What do you feel like is the most under underappreciated thing, maybe about juco.
[00:21:44] Speaker A: When people talk about juco, it sounds such like a dog eat dog thing, you know, it's just like a.
That's your friend, but it's not really your friend. Like, it's not really a team. You're trying to beat him out of a spot. But it's.
You really build such a close relationship with those guys because you guys are really in the same position, wanting the same things, you know? And it's. It's really so humbling. Like, it's. It's so humbling, like junior college. It's.
Everybody thinks that they are like, we deserve more and all this stuff. And we all were willing to work hard to get to the next level. And it's just like we're all standing behind each other ready to work and win because we know that when we win, we all get to move on to the next level.
[00:22:27] Speaker B: What advice do you have for. For like other Canadian players that maybe go that route, the juco route? A lot of players, like, have gone that route and they've made us a league. Like, I'm thinking about Jimmy Butler. He's. He's made it to league. He want the juco route. What advice do you have? Players that might take this, like, unconventional path?
[00:22:44] Speaker A: Keep your head down, keep working.
Your time's gonna come, you know, if you just keep, keep your head down, coaches are gonna come see you, they're gonna see how you play. You know, not a lot of people made it out of California junior colleges. More people went out to national junior colleges. But, you know, I'm. I'm a real believer. And if you play good basketball, anybody's gonna be able to see, especially in this day and age, like I said, with social media and all this stuff. So just keep your head down and keep working.
Yeah.
[00:23:14] Speaker B: What did your recruitment look like coming out of juco? Like, how many schools reached out? What was that like?
[00:23:19] Speaker A: It was all a lot, you know, it was not a lot.
Yeah. My final two is only Arizona State and Santa Clara.
[00:23:26] Speaker B: Yeah. So what, what was that like? Obviously, how did Santa Clara reach out and what was the conversations like? And did you go on a visit to both? Both schools? Like, what was that like?
[00:23:36] Speaker A: So I went.
The guy who recruited me was coach Jason Ludwig.
I knew him since grade 10. I would say a little bit. I build credits. Who's recruiting me a little bit. But it was.
I just had a visit. I. So like I said, we don't stay that far away from West Valley. So they Used to always come to my. My practices and my games and stuff, and I used to just see a little bit about them. Go watch your games a little bit.
But honestly, I just knew that I would. Was the best honest spot for me.
I love the way they work out here. I love the. They're just really a family. We're close and all this stuff. And yeah, I went out to visit, an official visit, and it was crazy. Like. Like once my dad and my sister flew out here, it was. That was all I needed, man. Once my dad said he liked the school and my sister said she liked it out here, then I'm ready to hoop.
[00:24:31] Speaker B: What was your favorite thing or what was their favorite things about the school? That was like, that's so dumb. And what sold you to the church?
[00:24:37] Speaker A: There's a really nice church on campus. It's like, the scenery out here is really nice. Like, the campus is small, but it's beautiful, you know, and it's like, it's always sunny and stuff. And the weather is nice. And yeah, I'll say. Like, the church really, really gets people sometimes. And that's what got my dad. Yeah.
[00:24:54] Speaker B: How would you describe your first year at Santa Clara? What did you have, like, expectations going in that, like, obviously also you played. Was it Global Jam right before that too?
[00:25:04] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:25:05] Speaker B: What was that like? I feel like that's when people were like, okay, Elijah Ma. He's a name we got to be watching out for. What was that experience like? And you've played a few times with Canada Basketball, right? Well, why me through, like, the first time you played and then Global Jam too?
[00:25:20] Speaker A: Well, I tried out twice. Didn't make it the first time. We're Team Canada.
[00:25:24] Speaker B: When was this?
[00:25:26] Speaker A: I think it was U19.
Okay. U19 didn't make it. Then I tried for macro like any other person would. I remember being on the phone with my dad. It was a training camp in Florida around Covid area, and I was just on the phone with my dad and I was crying because I really thought I should have made it. But like, my dad said it was all God's timing, you know, and then tried it out again with the U23T.
Didn't make it again, and then tried one more time after that, and then that's when I made it right before Santa Clara season. And it was amazing. Got to go out there and I don't really think I have. I never really walk into places or, like, teens having, like, an expectation of, like, what I should play or how I should play. I Just kind of just go out there and play basketball and then just, you know, just go out there and. Who.
[00:26:17] Speaker B: Yeah. How would you describe that? That first Global Jam experience?
[00:26:21] Speaker A: Amazing, man. Amazing. I going to America and then come back to Toronto and again playing in front of my family and friends.
That's something that you can never give up. Like. Like playing in Toronto is just in itself is already amazing.
[00:26:36] Speaker B: Yeah, obviously.
Santa Clara first year, I'm just going through your stats. 11 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, shot 43% from three. 43%. Hey, that's tough.
And then I think 47.8% from the field.
Played in 32 games.
What was that like at Santa Clara that first year? And then you're also kind of playing behind guys, too. Like, you're. You were kind of like the do it all three and D type of type of guy. You had Adam Ball also on that roster, who's a. Who's also getting a lot of NBA buzz. I think he's playing in the G League now. What was that roster like and how did you kind of fit into things?
[00:27:17] Speaker A: I knew I was going into a veteran team.
We had a lot of returners coming back, and I knew that I just needed to fill roles and fill spots where guys needed it, you know, and then it was just. I knew it was going to be.
It was going to be hard.
A little hard transition. But the confidence that I had from just playing Global Jam, playing Kentucky, and it was just knowing that I'm capable of doing really helped. But I would say that the returners that I had, my roommate, Johnny o', Neal, he really helped me. All these guys that Tilly, Adama, Cam, all those guys, Los. They all just helped me just stay confident. Even when it was. It was tough sometimes because I never. I come from junior college. I'm not used to playing in front of 10, 15,000 people, you know, and it's just like the nerves and all this stuff. But they just helped me so much, building my confidence and stuff. It was. It was just hooping. At the end of the day, was.
[00:28:16] Speaker B: There a moment that hit you that, like, damn, I'm on the ncaa, like, stage. And like, you're looking around, you're like, wow, this place is packed. Like, was there a moment, a game or anything that hit you that, like, wow, I'm actually here doing. Living out my dream.
[00:28:31] Speaker A: Too many. Like, too, too many. Like, we played Nevada. It was super packed. You could say. I could say going to Gonzaga, when we beat Gonzaga over there, it was crazy. Like, honestly, like, every single game is just. I'm just still in shock that I'm here, you know?
[00:28:51] Speaker B: Any crazy environments? Like, what was the craziest environment you.
[00:28:54] Speaker A: Played in Gonzaga, for sure. Yeah.
[00:28:57] Speaker B: That was against Ryan, huh?
[00:28:58] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:29:00] Speaker B: Do you know Ryan well? Do you trash talk? What's that like? He's also, like, his journey's crazy, too. What's it been like seeing his. His rise and then also.
How well do you know. Know him?
[00:29:11] Speaker A: Well, I know him a little bit. I won't say I've known him too well, but I definitely see him in passing. Talk to him a little bit in passing, but he's one of those. He's a great passion man, that guy, he. He really could thread the needle.
And just being. Just seeing how I seen this come up, you know, I've been watching him since he was at Vaughn, you know, and just hearing about him a little bit here and there and just seeing how you matured as a player and all this stuff. So just being on the court with him at the same time, just be on the court with another guy from Canada is something that is just great. You feel. I feel comfortable, you know, a little. Even though he's on the opposite team, you feel kind of comfortable being out there with a. With a other Canadian on the court. Yeah.
[00:29:49] Speaker B: Season ends, a lot of a thousand people plus enter the portal.
[00:29:55] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:29:55] Speaker B: I want to get your thoughts on this. Like, what are your thoughts on the transfer portal? How crazy it's gone. Did you even, like, consider. Have a thought about, like, I might. I might dabble in the nil. Money's getting crazy with people. Like, what was your approach to just, like, obviously had a successful year at Santa Clara and then running it back?
[00:30:15] Speaker A: Loyalty, you know, that's Galloway and all this stuff, you know, just loyal, you know, these guys believed in me and I believe in them. I believe in the way that they're helping my game get to the next level. You know, I don't need to.
I didn't need to move for no real reason. I love it out here. I felt like once I get comfortable, I get to understand things. There was no need to change, you know, change was needed. And, yeah, like, these guys really believe in me and they helped me so much with my game and just reading the game and all this stuff, so there was no need for.
For all this stuff and leaving and all that. And the transfer portal is crazy in itself and. Yeah, it's just something that I just didn't think I need to do.
[00:31:01] Speaker B: Are you like Watching on your phone, being like, damn, this person's leaving. This person's like, what's your reaction? Watching it all?
[00:31:07] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
A bunch. A bunch of. Damn. Why is this person leaving?
I thought he was gonna go league.
He's at a good situation. Why did he have to leave?
But there's. I feel like there's just so much going on behind closed doors that, you know, we don't know that that's why guys might be leaving, you know?
[00:31:27] Speaker B: Yeah. Do you think it's good? Like, obviously, this agency, players are getting kind of like, what are your thoughts on just, like, the control now players have and.
And rightfully so. Like, players are getting paid what they. What they deserve, too, right? Like, what are your thoughts on all that?
[00:31:41] Speaker A: For sure, I think players should get paid what they deserve, but I just hope that guys are still hungry to go to the next level and don't get complacent, you know, that's probably like, the biggest thing that I see with this nil stuff is just want more. You know, this shouldn't be the biggest contract you ever signed in your life. You know, you should double this and in your basketball career because we. We work too hard for this. You know, a lot of guys are playing basketball center three, four years old, and it's just like, you know, we got to make money for generational wealth. You know, we put a lot towards our body and all this stuff. So just don't get complacent with this stuff.
[00:32:19] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, you mentioned it. Loyalty, I think in April, you posted on ig. I have the caption here. Where's the loyalty at? Let's run it. The fact that you even have to, like, announce that you're coming back. Tell me about, like, what went through that process with the IG caption. And, like, you mentioned your little guy.
[00:32:40] Speaker A: Yeah, man, just loyalty, man. I love it out here, honestly. I love the coaching staff. I love Coach Herb, all these guys, and just loyal, man. Like, I want. I want Santa Clara to go back to the tournament. I want to bring us back there. I want. I want us to go to March Madness. I want us to be Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, all these guys. You know, I just want us to be.
To be. To be up there, and so there's no need for me to. To go out somewhere else and. And. And play on a different team and learning a whole new team chemistry all over again. There's none of that.
[00:33:11] Speaker B: Yeah. How is it. How is the team sort of gelling ahead of the season? And what's been the vibe like, and.
Yeah, just preparing for the season.
[00:33:19] Speaker A: Great, man. Great. These guys, we are a funny, funny team. You know, we take it serious on the court, obviously, but we're able to. We understand what we got to do out there. We understand how we got to play as a team.
We are really just here for one another. And that's where I feel like we got a Guys who. We got a team full of dogs that are ready to play behind each other and work with each other just to get the win. We'll be all right. That's all I need as a team.
[00:33:48] Speaker B: Yeah. Two Canadians on the roster now, including yourself. Chris Tajo coming in from, I believe, Iowa.
How well did you know him and did he hit you up and be like, what's Santa Clara like, man? I'm thinking about. Tell me about the process in. In chatting with Chris. Did you know?
[00:34:04] Speaker A: No, I didn't even know, honestly. I. I saw him a little bit. He made bio steel, I think. No, yeah, he did make bio still. He made biostat numbers.
[00:34:13] Speaker B: Numbers in bastard. Yeah.
[00:34:14] Speaker A: Yeah, I see. And then he committed to Iowa, so I've seen a little bit about him. Obviously, like a Canadian, you always got to keep tabs on the other guys, you know, you got to see who's. I love seeing other Canadians in D1, so I was keeping little tabs on him here and there, but I didn't really get to know him until right before we started summer workouts. So it was the week before July, so just the first week of July, kinda. He came a couple days earlier and I remember we're roommates and I just start to talk to him a little bit and get to know him a little more and more. And then ever since then, our connection built and he's one of the guys on the team, and that's my guy for sure.
[00:34:52] Speaker B: Yeah. Did he ask you about Santa Clara and what. What did you tell him about the program itself or anything like that?
[00:34:57] Speaker A: Yeah, so we didn't really talk about, like, the. The program and all this stuff. We kind of just spoke about just, you know, our background and stuff and like, where he's from. He's. He's African. I'm African also. And just where he came from, Montreal and all this stuff and just little.
Little things about just personal lifestyle. You know, we talk about basketball a lot as is. It's nice just to talk about just who you are as a person and your upbringing and stuff.
[00:35:22] Speaker B: I was gonna ask, what do you like off the court? Like, what is people that. Don't know. Elijah Mahi, the college basketball player. What do you do in your free time that you enjoy?
[00:35:33] Speaker A: Play the game.
Talk to my friends and family.
And honestly, I really like. Just. Just chilling, you know, just really. Just relaxing. I feel like basketball takes a big toll mentally and physically. So if not, then I'm really just chilling, playing the game, sleeping and. Yeah, really, that's all I do.
[00:35:52] Speaker B: What game are you a 2k guy? Call of Duty. What's. What's the game?
[00:35:57] Speaker A: Honestly?
Play a lot of FIFA with the guys lately.
[00:36:02] Speaker B: Pro clubs.
[00:36:03] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:36:03] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:36:03] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, that's. That's really all I've been doing for the past, like, week and a half.
[00:36:08] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:36:08] Speaker A: The straight pro clubs, I'll be honest.
[00:36:10] Speaker B: I'll be playing FIFA. FIFA, to me, died down. And what was it? It might have been like FIFA 13, 14, maybe Twitter. I don't know if it's been the same.
I don't know if it's been the same since, man, but I'm a 2k guy, so I'm like, that's. That's my game. But I might have to dabble in some. Some FIFA. Check if. See if it's still popping like that. Is it popping?
[00:36:28] Speaker A: Sure it is. Well, I mean, like, when you're playing with, you know, five or six friends, it's so much.
[00:36:32] Speaker B: Okay, that's fun because now you guys are blaming each other, but, like, why did you score that?
You know, it's that type of vibe.
I want to ask you, too, obviously, heading into your second year at Santa Clara, is there a player that you're like, damn, this person is tough, that you guarded, played in your collegiate career, that you're like, wow, I want to give this guy some love.
[00:36:54] Speaker A: Yeah, easy.
Another Canadian we just spoke about, Ryan Nemhard.
Just. It's a guy where I'm just like, man, like just a point guard who just controlled the whole game, you know, just control the speed of the whole game, possession by possession.
And yeah, like, he was not somebody I had to guard, but somebody where he was so good that I had to really lock in on my defender because he's so good at just, you know, passing the ball, having everybody involved on his team. So, yeah, I'll always give a. Give my love to another Canadian. For sure.
[00:37:28] Speaker B: Yeah, he's obviously with the Dallas Mavericks now. Signed a two way. I spoke with him. We had him on the podcast during the NBA draft combine. And yeah, Ryan. Ryan's story is legendary, too. I think you were also. I don't know if you're in the gym with them this summer, but I think you're in the. It might have been the gym with Andrew, those guys and what was that, what was that like? Andrew, too, he's got that. He's coming off an NBA Finals appearance. Got that bump too, that, that people sleep on.
What was it like? Did you play ones with him?
[00:37:56] Speaker A: Not really. Not really, but I would work out on one side and see him working out the other side.
I'll start my workouts at like 9am and I'll see him come in at 10 with a. With a huge JBL speaker and then go in there and work out with two to have like two or three rebounders and then just go hard for like an hour, two hours, and then just leave.
Yeah, that bump, man, that bump is something that I'm trying to put into my game right now because I know how important it is. But I feel like another thing about his game is his defense, man. Like, he really is a great defender and he, even though he had that bump, I love seeing when he. You see a player trying to bump him and he just moves out the way and then they just go fall and, you know, it just, just those little things that he adds to the game. So I'll say. I'll say that about him for sure.
[00:38:42] Speaker B: Yeah. The little details that I feel if you're not watching, you won't, you won't notice.
Obviously, the Santa Clara team, I feel like a lot of what they're going to be running is going to be through you this season.
What's that going to be like for you? And how do you take on that challenge going into your senior year?
[00:39:00] Speaker A: Just.
Yeah, just go out there and hoot. You know, have confidence in myself, trust the work that I put in, because at the end of the day, that's the only thing you can fall back on. You know, scan the gym as much as possible, get familiar with the team, get familiar with the offense and all this stuff. And then just, just go out there and play, play hard as I possibly can. And then I know everything will fall into place after that.
[00:39:24] Speaker B: Yeah, I've obviously talked about. You have an NBA interest.
How do you see your game potentially, like, translating to the next level, any role that you see, like, obviously now teams are not. They could be looking for. They're obviously looking for a star player, but they're also looking for guys that can fill holes. How do you see your game kind of like just translating to that, to.
[00:39:44] Speaker A: That level, potentially whatever they need, you know, like, like, like it was last year. You know, fill the holes that we needed as a team, and if it's come for the next level, then fill whatever holes you need on that team. You know, that's something I love about my game and something, honestly, I give credit back to my dad when I was really young where he was teaching me one through five and just how to play every position on the court because you never know, you know, and that's something where I still keep to myself to this day, where it's like, I'm able to be the point guard, be the two, be the three, and just be whatever I need to be on that court just to be able to play.
Yeah.
[00:40:19] Speaker B: Who wins the ones now with you and you and Pops?
[00:40:22] Speaker A: Oh, me, I was winning one since 10 years old.
[00:40:26] Speaker B: Yeah. Oh, 10 years old.
[00:40:27] Speaker A: Hey.
[00:40:27] Speaker B: Yeah, I might have to fact check that. Call him up.
[00:40:30] Speaker A: Come on, man.
[00:40:30] Speaker B: I don't know if he agree with that.
[00:40:33] Speaker A: Yeah, I always say that 10 years.
[00:40:35] Speaker B: Old is crazy because that's like, hey, yeah. Obviously talking about the NBA, keeping tabs on that. How much of that has been like a dream of yours? Thinking about, like, when did you like, first realize, yeah, I want to make it to the league. And like, that's something that's been on my mind. How much of that has been a dream of yours?
[00:40:54] Speaker A: I remember going so growing up, used to go to the Boys and Girls Club all the time. That's something where, like, shout out to Boys and Girls Club. Like, that's really where I was at after school all the time. And I remember used to come home around like 9, 9:30. And then I used to. My dad used to watch basketball in this game, watch all the Toronto games and all this stuff. My dad used to work at the Scotiabank arena, so he used to just tell me all these, like, how NBA players were just walking through the gym and all this different stuff. And then honestly, like, just.
I don't know, like, I was just so passionate. I just knew that basketball was just something that I was good at, something that I understood. I felt like it was just my calling ever since I was young, you know, and just something that I could just provide for my family. And. And it's. Honestly, it's helped me so much. I'm able to provide for my family. I'm just so thankful for basketball. So I knew that I was.
That was my, my calling and I just put everything I had towards it.
[00:41:51] Speaker B: Yeah, obviously, any players that you kind of like see yourself in, in terms of just like in the NBA, that you're like, okay, maybe I could. I have this sort of style of play that I don't know. If people tell you, you remind me of this player. Do you get that often?
[00:42:07] Speaker A: Honestly? No.
[00:42:08] Speaker B: No.
[00:42:09] Speaker A: Yeah. It's crazy. I've been trying to talk to, like, my. My coaches that I got assistant coaches, like, make jokes. Like, what? Like, comparisons. Like, I could say I play like, but not. They never say any comparisons. It's really crazy. I just. I'd be joking around with them, but I could even tell you, honestly.
[00:42:26] Speaker B: Yeah, that's crazy. I don't know if I see you as a little bit of og. I feel like that's a comparison I see. Maybe I got to tap into some more film and give you a more concrete comparison.
But goals for yourself this season. Is there stuff that you have on your bucket list that you're like, I want to accomplish in my college career before it's all said and done?
[00:42:50] Speaker A: March Madness. March Madness. March Madness. March Madness. For sure.
So I want my team to win. Want us to go out there and win. Want us to go out there and beat the high teams that. That we should be beating out there. And then that's. That's all the. The goals that I have for myself, because I know what that will end up winning for sure.
[00:43:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
March Madness. How. How cool you think would that be just for yourself and the experience?
[00:43:17] Speaker A: Oh, amazing. So amazing. I would love to play a March Madness. Well, you know, that's something I've been watching for a while. I think one of the first things that I watched was back when Wisconsin was a really good team and them winning. So, yeah, I would love to be a part of that and love to have Santa Clara out there. For sure. Yeah.
[00:43:36] Speaker B: How would you describe your journey? Just thinking about. We kind of gone through it from Scarborough, from Galloway to playing in prep or going from Bill Crothers.
Played prep in Florida, California, two years now at Santa Clara. How would you describe your journey?
[00:43:56] Speaker A: Ups and downs, a couple highs, a couple lows. But I'll do it all over again. Honestly, I loved it. And it's been hard. It's been real hard. There have been some humbling moments, but I love it. I honestly love it. I love where I'm headed. I love what I've been through, and it's been great. It's really been great. So I just thank God for all of it.
[00:44:20] Speaker B: Yeah.
I want to end off playing a little game with you real quick. I've been asking this. I had Frank Mitchell, if you know Frank Mitchell. On the podcast recently, my guy and I asked him for a starting five of Canadian college players.
[00:44:34] Speaker A: If he a college. Okay.
[00:44:35] Speaker B: College player. So you can't. You can't name me any of your.
You can't name Chris Tajo. You can't name him. That's your teammate. I know you probably take him. I think Frank mentioned you just a little put some pressure on you. I think he mentioned you.
What's your starting five? If you can give me a Canadian college players right now in ncaa.
I know you got a lot of friends, so. Hey, some people might be listening to get pissed off.
[00:44:59] Speaker A: Oh, man.
Oh, wait, can I put myself in there?
[00:45:05] Speaker B: Yeah, you're in there. You're in there. So you got to figure out the four.
[00:45:08] Speaker A: Okay? Okay.
Okay. Damn.
Damn, this is tough.
[00:45:16] Speaker B: Oh, man, someone's gonna be pissed. Who's the one? Who's the one? Who's running point guard for you?
[00:45:21] Speaker A: I gotta go. Xavier Lee at the one.
[00:45:23] Speaker B: Shout out to Xavier Lee for the game.
[00:45:25] Speaker A: I gotta go at the one.
Who's the. Who's the two?
[00:45:29] Speaker B: Guard. Are you putting yourself. So we talk about your versatile guy. What position do you want to take up right now? Because we could put you at the 2, we could put you maybe at the 4, at the 3. Where do you want to put yourself?
[00:45:41] Speaker A: Nah, we got to put me at the two.
[00:45:42] Speaker B: At the three.
[00:45:43] Speaker A: Yeah, I'll play the two.
[00:45:45] Speaker B: So is that. Is that your style? Like you prefer? Like what position do you. Do you see yourself in?
[00:45:51] Speaker A: Yeah, definitely, like two or three.
[00:45:53] Speaker B: But you're versatile, right?
[00:45:54] Speaker A: You could. Yeah, yeah.
More ball. Dominant, being able to pass.
[00:45:58] Speaker B: Yeah. So we got you. We got you at the 2, who's at the 3, who's at the 3. That's a tough one.
[00:46:09] Speaker A: That's a tough one.
You know what? I'm actually gonna push me to the three. I gotta put my man Vashon in there.
[00:46:15] Speaker B: You gotta put. Who. Who's that? Who's that?
[00:46:17] Speaker A: 2. Put Vashon at the 2. Xavier. Not the 1.
[00:46:20] Speaker B: Very underrated for Sean Allette. Yep.
[00:46:23] Speaker A: And then for the four, I put my guy in. Nana Nana gcu.
[00:46:27] Speaker B: Yeah, he just. He's coming off. He's coming off injury. Big, big year potentially for him at the four, who's at the five, who's your big. There's all, ah, there's a lot of bigs. I feel like in college basketball, Canadian wise, there might be something coming up.
[00:46:39] Speaker A: But, you know, I'll put my guy up there too. You know, I'll put. Frank.
[00:46:43] Speaker B: Frank. So Who.
[00:46:44] Speaker A: Who.
[00:46:45] Speaker B: So how. What style does this team play in your eyes? It's you, it's. It's Xavier Lee for Shauna Let. It's you, it's Nana, and it's Frank Mitchell. What's style is this a gritty team? Like, what is this?
[00:46:57] Speaker A: Yeah, gritty team. These are all dogs, you know? Yeah. Like, I just like playing with guys who are just dogs, you know, Just scores too. You know, we gotta be able to score the ball and just. Just hoopers. I feel like all those guys are just hoopers, you know, we can. We could be a lot of guys with that team right there. See, I think that's the team I'll go with.
[00:47:14] Speaker B: I want to ask you too, just about the Global Jam. The first time when you went up against Kentucky, you went up against guys like, who is on that roster? Reed Shepherd, Rob Dillingham. A lot of NBA guys on that roster. I think Justin Edwards on that roster. I might be forgetting some other guys, eventual NBA guys that end up making it to the league. From that Kentucky team. What do you remember from that? And then obviously, then seeing those guys in league and then be like, maybe, maybe you. You're like, I can compete on this level. What was that like?
[00:47:42] Speaker A: Man, that was so. Coming from junior college and then playing a team that's in the sec, it's like. It's total. Like, it's a huge difference, you know? So I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous just to go up against Coach Calipari and all these guys that they had on the team. But it was. It was amazing because it was an opportunity, like you said, just to see where I ranked with these guys, to see how it was and.
And to have a good game against these guys was just another confidence that. Like, it was just another confidence boost I had, you know, and it's just one of those things where it's like every time I look back at it where before again, I might get nervous, especially my first year, I'm like, you know, I proved to myself that I'm able to. To play with these type of guys and. And especially how they're in the league, it just. It just helps my confidence so much more, you know?
[00:48:29] Speaker B: Yeah.
Lastly, just want to. Is there a game you're circling on your calendar? You talk about St. Mary, you talk about Gonzaga.
What game should I be tapping in for this year? I'm gonna tap into a lot. Every. I't happens every. But is there a game that I'm like, I Should be everyone from home. Or is it every single one?
[00:48:45] Speaker A: Every single one. Every single one. I can't even sit here and be like, we circle one game and not the other because, you know, every single game is important. It's not an 82 game season during like 31, 32. So every game is, is a Super bowl for me. So every single one is important. And I'm going to go out there and play my heart out.
[00:49:03] Speaker B: And what can we expect from Santa Clara ending off from you? What can we expect from Santa Clara this season?
[00:49:08] Speaker A: March Madness. Like I said, that's what we want. So that's what we're going to go out there and try to achieve. You know, that's it. That's, that's, that's what we're going to do.
[00:49:15] Speaker B: Elijah Mah said it first. I'm going to be watching.
I'm going be watching. Especially those games. Like I said, Gonzaga, Saint Mary's, those guys often lead the conference. But you guys are coming up, so I'm excited to watch you in a new role. Obviously, I feel like a highlighted role at Santa Clara this season with the ball in your hands. And Elijah Mahi, I feel like one of the top Canadian college basketball players. A guy, a name that I feel like we're going to be hearing a lot about whether it's the national team potentially in the league.
And yeah, I can't thank you enough for, for coming on the show, man. And join us, man. Where can people tap in with you, man?
[00:49:49] Speaker A: It's Elijah Mahy on Instagram and you know, I just want to say thank you guys for having me, man. It's been amazing.
[00:49:55] Speaker B: Yeah, man, I can't thank you enough. This has been the Canadian basketball show your go to spot for the latest news, stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I'm your host Lee Ben Osman and with Elijah Mahi, Santa Clara's finest. And we out.
