Ishan Sharma talks freshman season in NCAA and move to Saint Louis

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign to Canadian Basketball show your go to spot for the latest news stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I'm your host, Lee Ben Osman. I got a special guest joining me in studio this week. He's one of Canada's rising young talents. He was named Canada's high school player of the year 2024, played at Virginia this past season, and is now headed to play college basketball at St. Louis University, Milton, Ontario's very own east. My guy, how you doing? [00:00:31] Speaker B: I'm good man. Appreciate you having me. This, I think this is a, this is a good thing you got going on here. So I appreciate you having me. [00:00:39] Speaker A: Yeah, I'm excited. Once I started this podcast, I gotta get Eshan on because I've known you for, for a minute now. Yeah, yeah, obviously. Milton, the drive up here, how was it? [00:00:47] Speaker B: It was smooth. Like, I mean it was kind of long traffic, you know, downtown Toronto. Guess. But can't beat the views when you pass the CN Tower and stuff like that. OVO center and all that stuff. Rogers Center. So it's always good coming downtown. [00:01:00] Speaker A: Yeah. What's your summer look like much in the city or. [00:01:02] Speaker B: Nah, not really. I usually just stay home a lot. All the people that I do stuff with are in Milton, so I just work out a lot, lift a lot and everything I need is kind of over there. But sometimes I'll come downtown for sure just to chill or just to see someone that I know. But I'm really just at home. [00:01:22] Speaker A: Yeah, I know you've been back and forth with St. Louis and in Milton. What's the offseason schedule look like? [00:01:28] Speaker B: Yeah, so like we were there when St. Louis being in June, from June to basically first week of July was there week off, came back in July, then went back first week of July till just now start August and I got a couple of weeks at home from like August 2nd to 19th. Just at home, same routine, training, lifting, chilling with the fam and then going back school year starts, season starts and just like that, year number two. [00:01:59] Speaker A: Yeah, we talked about St. Louis, newest guard at St. Louis. How different is it from Virginia? [00:02:05] Speaker B: Yeah, it's different. Like it's a different feel. Obviously the basketball is different. Different styles of play, different, you know, setting in terms of in like the environment. St. Louis as a city is different than Charlottesville as an area. So it's been good. It's been fun to adjust both basketball wise and city wise. So it's just, it's a new challenge, new excitement. So it's been good. [00:02:29] Speaker A: Yeah, you were a name like I was watching whether or not they're gonna enter the portal, to be honest. Honestly, I was watching that in, like, October, to be honest, after a lot of stuff that happened. But we'll get into that. But tell me when you decided to enter the portal and why. [00:02:44] Speaker B: Yeah, beginning of April, first couple weeks of April, when I. When I entered, just a lot of changes to the. To the staff at Virginia, obviously. And I felt like, you know, a better opportunity was. Was around the corner, and so I entered, and now I'm at a spot where I feel like it's a really good opportunity for me to forward my career, so I'm happy about it. [00:03:10] Speaker A: Yeah, we'll talk about that. We'll talk about your journey as a player coming up for Erie. I'm gonna talk about Royal Crown. I know you guys have some. The rivalry over there, talking about a lot of stuff, but when St. Louis. How did they get in contact and tell me you enter your name in the portal. [00:03:26] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:03:26] Speaker A: How many schools are reaching out to you? Tell me about the process. [00:03:28] Speaker B: Yeah, it's a little bit like high school, honestly. Like, it's like, as soon as you enter, they have. The coach said, like, a database of who enters, who's in and out the portal, whatever. So as soon as you enter, you get the first call within. I got it, like, within minutes. So it's like. Like I'm back to being recruited, like, in high school. That was kind of feeling that I got. [00:03:49] Speaker A: What was that first call? [00:03:51] Speaker B: It was team, but it was, like, within. Literally within minutes. So, like, it was. It's crazy. It goes by quick. So it's like a span of. In a span of like, two weeks, a week and a half, you set up visits, you go on those visits, you commit, and boom, you're at a new spot for the next year. But, yeah, so St. Louis, like, the coach, Josh Shirts, he was at Indiana State prior, and he recruited me in high school, so now he's at St. Louis. So he was one of the first people to reach out to me in the portal as well. That's from St. Louis, so I already had that kind of connection and relationship with him from high school, and I really like his staff and the way he is and the way he coaches and who he is as a person. So I felt like everything that matches me culturally, St. Louis had to offer as well, and I felt like that was the best fit for me. So it kind of just happened. It happened fast. Like, two weeks in and out. [00:04:47] Speaker A: Yeah. So once you entered, how many schools approximately reached out to you. Was it like juggling the phone calls? Did you go on many visits? [00:04:56] Speaker B: Yeah, no, like I went on two. I went on two visits. But there was, yeah, there was, there was definitely like over double digits, double digit schools that reaching out to me. But yeah, a lot of phone calls between me and my family, coaches, a lot of text messages, zoom calls and stuff like that. So it, it gets really intense in a really short amount of time. So you got to be like, like on yourself and you got to be like not getting overwhelmed with the stuff that happens in the portal because the portal can be tough, especially if like, if you, you don't have many options. Like it can be a scary thing to enter the portal and not know where you're going. [00:05:38] Speaker A: What are your thoughts on that? I think over a thousand players enter the portal. [00:05:42] Speaker B: Yeah, no, it's crazy. Like nowadays like you go to the portal, you, you see players getting paid absurd amounts of money to go. Like I'm talking about higher than NBA contract money. [00:05:52] Speaker A: Like and some coming off the bench. [00:05:53] Speaker B: Yeah, like some, you know, some getting paid. Crazy. But I mean that's the game now. Like you people, you see four schools in four years. Like that's crazy. You didn't see that before. So now definitely, it definitely has its, as its positives and, and negatives, but it's a, it's a crazy space right now. Transfer portal, NCAA in general. [00:06:16] Speaker A: So what are your thoughts on like people have talked about like contracts, it should be a contract type of thing. What are your thoughts on like that? Or do you, or do you feel like it's not necessary? [00:06:26] Speaker B: I mean it might be necessary now like, because like it's getting crazy. But me, I'm, I was always like I'm kind of old school when it comes to that stuff. Like I feel like it's just, it's like you're in college, like you playing college basketball. I feel like that stuff really shouldn't come into play. Like that's, you leave that stuff to pros and professional levels. Eurolean NBA that's the contract stuff. But now it's like we're in an era where nil and people are literally going to transfer to schools for more money. Not necessarily like a better opportunity, but like just more money. But you know, there are some people who are still like purists and like enjoy just like staying in one place if they can for four years or how many years they they stay for. But it's different now. So. [00:07:15] Speaker A: Yeah. And for you, obviously it's basketball decision, right? In terms of what was St. Louis's selling point to you? And you said there was two schools that you visited. Was St. Louis one of them? [00:07:23] Speaker B: Yeah, St. Louis and Nevada. [00:07:24] Speaker A: So tell me about St. Louis. What was their selling point to you? [00:07:27] Speaker B: Yeah, not St. Louis. Like I said, like, the way they run their offense, the way that the staff has built a relationship with me is. Is that was, like, really vital. I'm big on relationships, like, player coach relationships, and so are they. And I feel like the way that they run their offense, the sets that they run, the way that they get guys who play, like me, shots, or the way that I can thrive in their system from an analytical standpoint was the best option for me in the portal. And I kind of felt that. I felt that vibe, especially when I went on the visit. It just kind of, like, reinforced the fact that that was the place to be, just because of the people. Like, the people were really genuine. Like, they didn't sugarcoat nothing. They didn't promise any of that stuff, which is what I like. Yeah, you got to earn everything. Like, at the end of the day, like, you can come for. From wherever, but if you don't produce and you don't. You're not putting the work in every day. I mean, you're not gonna. You're not gonna get what you. You know what I'm saying? Like, you got to get what you. You earn. So. And that's kind of what they sold to me, and I. I love, love that. [00:08:35] Speaker A: It was funny. I was watching a video where you called. Like, they spoke your language. Basketball geeks. [00:08:39] Speaker B: Yes. [00:08:40] Speaker A: You said that, like, what was. Was there a moment that. That. That. Where they brought up, like, say, your stats or, like, you coming off a pin down and, like, this is. You're like, damn, these people know my. Like, and they kind of want to. Was there something that sold you, like, specifically or, like, that. That. A story or, like, anything like that that hit you? [00:08:56] Speaker B: Yeah, no, for sure. Like, we had two film sessions in my. My visit, so one was talking about just, like, player comps and. And how that stuff works analytically where I get my shots from. Another one was, like, where I can improve on. And when. When a staff tells you what you can improve on, instead of just kind of just hyping you up, like, just gassing you up. That's the biggest thing. Because I want to get better. I just don't want to stay the same. Like, if everything was good, like, why would I play? Like, I want to try to. I'm trying to get better. So the way that they, like, analytically, like watch film and the basketball vocabulary that they use, the way that they analyze not only analytics and film, but like just like your movements and different NBA comps that do the same thing that you do, like where you could be a year from now, two years from now. I think the way that they break down film and. And pay attention to the details as a staff as a whole, kind of just spoke to me. [00:10:04] Speaker A: Yeah. Did they give you a player comp. [00:10:05] Speaker B: I mean, there's. There's a. Like, me, I'm. I kind of take different players and different admin. So like, they had. They had a couple, like we talked about, like, like a rookie Tyler hero or like a. Like a Duncan Robinson, like, different aspects. Talked about JJ Redick coming off screens, like the way he does shooting on balance shoot. Making tough shots look easy for shooters like Klay Thompson, guys like that. But also like, different, like footwork and bump angles and stuff like that from players like. Like Shay. Like, no one. [00:10:40] Speaker A: That bump is crazy. [00:10:41] Speaker B: No one bumps. No one's driving angles and bumps and separate like he does. So talking about that, how can. How can I implement that into my game to get my shot off faster, more efficiently? That kind of stuff, like, when I'm getting told that is. Is cool because I think about the same kind of stuff. So it's like we're in sync there. [00:11:02] Speaker A: Obviously. Virginia was the first school. How would you describe your. Your one year there and tell me, like, the origin story, how you landed there? [00:11:08] Speaker B: Yeah, no, it's crazy because. [00:11:11] Speaker A: I've heard stories. I've heard, like, I haven't been. I've, like, I've just started to go to UIBL sessions. But I heard like, you had some, like, crazy sessions. [00:11:19] Speaker B: Yeah, that's kind of what it was really like. It was really Peace Jam, my last aau, like, hurrah. Like Peace. And everyone knows P. Sham, pinnacle of au uibl. One week in July, all you got, every college coach in the country is there. [00:11:36] Speaker A: Yep. [00:11:37] Speaker B: So if you really need to have a good weekend or week, that's the place to do it. I felt like I balled out that weekend and that's when I first got in touch. Or really my offer started coming in after that weekend, but Virginia was my last offer that I ever got. It kind of happened quick. They reached out to me at Peace Jam, and, you know, they followed up, followed up, and I think they ended up offering me in October, which is my last offer. I went on a visit, I think maybe a Week later after they offered me like officially. So I went on that visit and when I kind of walked into that. [00:12:21] Speaker A: That environment and the aura hit. [00:12:24] Speaker B: Yeah, it was, it was crazy. I seen the, the facility and I seen like the arena. The had all the seats laid out, they had the big jumbotron up and it was like, I'm signing that, like damn, let's get to it. And like staff was amazing and the culture is amazing over there. So that's kind of what stood out to me. And my first year was great. I have no regrets. First year of college basketball, a lot of ups and downs. Obviously very adversity filled year with everything that happened with TB and stuff like that. So it was, it was a good learning opportunity for me. Like we play against the highest caliber college basketball teams in the country on a nightly basis. Playing acc, you're playing highest level. So I feel like my teammates and the environment we had was, was really good. Like it was a great experience for me. Like there was definitely games where I felt I could do a lot more, but there's also games where I felt like I learned a lot, got to be thrown in the fire like all that stuff. So I felt like it was a good experience. And nothing's better than when there's a sold out crowd, you're playing at home or even away, like you hit a big shot, you make a big play, everyone goes crazy like in that moment. Like you play for those moments, like you dream of those moments as a little kid. And I know I did for sure. Like just imagining in my room, like I'm in a, I'm in front of 15,000 people, like let's put, let's play ball. And that's kind of like what I got to experience every day at Virginia. And like even off the court, like the guys over there, I'm still cool to everyone, with everyone to this day. Like talk to everyone. Super cool group of guys, man. I think that group was really a special, like close knit group of people. So no regrets, man, I loved it there. [00:14:12] Speaker A: It was funny as a summer league and then I forgot who I was sitting, I forgot the names, but I was sitting there, there was watching. Ryan Dunn was there and he's with some Virginia people. [00:14:20] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:14:20] Speaker A: As you guys know, you can shine. [00:14:21] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:14:22] Speaker A: So like they were, they're speaking highly of you there, so. But obviously you mentioned TB for the season, even starts, decides to retire. Did you like get wind of like potentially that happened, like walk me through like when you found out and that whole process, like yeah, no, it was. [00:14:39] Speaker B: Pretty much a surprise to all of us. But I mean, he did what's best for him. Obviously I love and appreciate him for who he is, believing in me. So I got no, you know, nothing bad to say about him at all. But yeah, it was a surprise but you know, he took it, kept moving. But like I said, like he did what's best for him. Always got love and appreciation for him. Yeah. [00:15:02] Speaker A: So once the season starts, what's that like? Obviously, because all people are like, okay, what's happening next with the coach and that stuff. But also it was kind of like the assistant coach was like, I'm guessing you still felt comfortable because it was still same staff. Right. It wasn't like a big change. What was that like the adjustment like and then playing that a few weeks after that? [00:15:20] Speaker B: Yeah, no, like obviously coach Sanchez got brought in. I knew him obviously. So it was just kind of quick, like we didn't really have time to like dwell on it because the season was about to start so we had to just, you know, take it and keep moving. And I feel like coach Sanchez did a really good job of just keeping us level headed, just, all right guys like this, this is our normal now. Like we got to go make it work. And I feel like we battle like every day. Like we were, we were in it. Like we weren't, we weren't like coming into this awe. Like we're going to have a tough season now. No, like it was business as usual and I think that a lot of credit goes to coach Sanchez for that. [00:16:01] Speaker A: So what was maybe like the biggest adjustment for you from high school to college? [00:16:04] Speaker B: Yeah, no, it's definitely like, I would say the physicality a little bit, especially on defense. Like you can't guard, you can't play, it's just a fact. So just understanding the concepts defensively and stuff like that, skill wise, I think I could always hold my own. I think the caliber of people, people you're playing every day obviously just skyrockets because now you're playing against vets and people who are, who are the guy at their school. Every school that, every school that you got a player from in NCAA was the guy on their team. So now you're playing against a bunch of alphas who want to be the biggest alpha. So you gotta just adjust to that. And there's people who are obviously 23, 24 years old in, in college, sometimes 26. Yeah. Grown men. So you gotta just figure out ways to get it done. So I think that was the biggest adjustment for sure. [00:16:57] Speaker A: Who was the hardest player you guarded where you're like, yo, this guy is tough. Maybe not even guarded, but like, I just seen like, gave buckets. You're like, yo, this guy's put on a, like a master class right now. [00:17:07] Speaker B: Yeah. Say, Walter Clayton was pretty good. Yeah, yeah, he's pretty good. [00:17:12] Speaker A: First round pick. [00:17:13] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, no, he was pretty good. [00:17:16] Speaker A: What did he go out for? Was it. Was it? [00:17:18] Speaker B: Yeah. 20 something. Yeah, I. I believe. [00:17:20] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:17:21] Speaker B: Nah, but just you could see it, like confidence, poise, maturity, shot making, obviously. He's a hell of a shooter, so he was a tough cover for us. I'll say. Yeah. Like, that was that. It was fun to play against him, for sure. [00:17:37] Speaker A: Yeah. What was your favorite moment from your freshman season? [00:17:39] Speaker B: Now, for sure. We played at SMU at Virginia in January, and we were down by three with like two minutes to go. And I. I had hit like a, like a ball skiing three. Like, the defender went under. I hit a ball skin three from like kind of deep and it tied the game at, I think 45. So it was 45, 42 before I hit the three. And I hit the three. It was 45, 45. And I hit it on the right wing. And then just like, it was like a sold out crowd, like, and the crowd, like erupted and. And there's two minutes left in the game. It's a big time shot. And I kind of like took a second to realize I'm in what I dreamed of being in. And they call it timeout. So I kind of like the team jumped up right on the court and stuff like that. You know how it gets. But for that split second, you got to feel like what it means to be truly in it and be truly in that environment you dream of so much growing up. But that only lasts for like five, five seconds because then, yo, time out. All right, next play. But that, you know, that little stretch, that little moment was. Was definitely like, I don't know, I'm here. [00:18:46] Speaker A: Yeah. So, yeah, we talked about high school player of the year. I want to shout out Pastor Baines, bc, if you know him. Another first Indian Canadian to win, I think in 1990. He listens to the podcast, so shout out to him. I don't know if you know him well, but the stories I hear, he was a stud, like back in the day. And I've chatted with you about this prior, just like, for those listening, like, what does it mean for you, like, to represent your community? Because I know you've talked about this endlessly and I feel like what you're doing is kind of trailblazing in a way, you know? [00:19:16] Speaker B: Right. Nah, it's like the biggest thing for me to feel like I can inspire the next generation of kids from Indian descent because you don't really see a lot of people in like high level basketball, like college, NBA, EuroLeague. You don't really see people of Indian descent too much. So I feel like if I can make it, I'm like making it for all of us and like set the precedent. Like, oh, like an Indian kid can really do this, like he can really play basketball at the highest level. And I feel like I'm trying to win this race for us all. It's not just for me, it's bigger than me. I'm. I feel like a lot of Indian kids aspire to be basketball players but don't have someone to look up to always. So I feel like I want to be that guy and I want other people to try to be that guy as well. Pursue that. So I feel like that's a big thing because I want more representation for us going forward in the game of basketball. That's what I try to do. [00:20:16] Speaker A: Do you get messages from people? Be like, how do I get to where you're at now? And like, how'd you get to Virginia? St. Louis? Like, do you get messages? [00:20:24] Speaker B: Yeah, no, for sure. Like, I get a lot of messages. Like, you inspire me, bro. Like, any tips? Like, how do I get, like, how do I get to where you are? Which is always crazy to me because even though they, they think that I've done like a lot, I feel like I really haven't done anything yet in this game. And I'm still trying to make my way like to the top. I'm still trying to get there. I'm climbing, I'm climbing. So when they say stuff like that, like, it gets me kind of emotional. Cuz like, I remember I wanted to look up to someone, I wanted to like, oh, how'd you get there? So when people ask me that, and especially like if it's a younger, younger kid, I mean, I would just always tell them, like, you got to be kind of delusional in what you, what you believe and how you work. If you have like an insane obsession for the game and it's real and it's not fake because you can't fake something like that. And you got to be a little bit delusional. Like people are probably going to tell you, oh yeah, you're crazy. Like, you're not going to the League, you're not going to be one of the greatest players of all time, like, whatever the case may be, but if you in your head can see it and believe it, I feel like that's the biggest thing. And outworking what you think of yourself and what other people think of yourself is always the way to go. Because the game rewards people who are obsessed and who are working night and day and thinking about the game night and day. So I just be. I'm blessed to be in the position I am to tell them that. But also like, you know, I feel like I haven't done anything yet, so I'm trying to keep on going because I got a long way to go still. [00:21:54] Speaker A: Yeah, this is yet to come. I've heard like a lot of stories of you being overlooked. How has that kind of like fueled you? Yeah, yeah. I'm guessing we. You know who I'm hearing these stories from, but like, how is that, how has that feels you like being overlooked? Especially from Canada. Right. Your background and Milton, Ontario. Have we seen a guy from Milton? Like, come on, there's some Hoovers, but okay, they've. So what do you hear? [00:22:14] Speaker B: So we got Nate George, who's from Milton. Oh, yeah, yeah. [00:22:17] Speaker A: I've been talking. I seen that J. Finch. [00:22:20] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:22:20] Speaker A: He might come on the podcast and we'll see. [00:22:22] Speaker B: Yeah. So we got. He's playing. He's Syracuse, so he's tough. Nah. [00:22:27] Speaker A: But low key guys. Yeah. [00:22:28] Speaker B: Yeah, not low key, but like Hoopers. [00:22:30] Speaker A: Yeah, Hoopers. [00:22:32] Speaker B: Like even like some older heads, like some names probably won't know, like Xavier Ochu. [00:22:36] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:22:37] Speaker B: My brother. So like, stud, we got some Hoopers. [00:22:42] Speaker A: I'm about to get a lot of messages after this. Be like, you don't know anything about military basketball. [00:22:46] Speaker B: No. But if you guys have Hoopers, like Jalen, Warren, Christian, David, like, they're like the pioneers of, of Milton basketball before me. So that's, that's kind of the, the cool thing about Milton. But back to what you were saying, like, being overlooked is always. I think it's the best place to be. Like when you're an underdog, I think it's the best place to be because people don't see it coming. So, like, when I get overlooked, me personally, I know, like, I know in my head I believe something. So if I just chase what I believe and to, to be who like I am, and I think that's the biggest thing. Like, you don't got to listen to what everyone else is going to say or if you make this, you get selected for this or if you go here, if you have this big name, if you're five star recruit. No star recruit. Like, I think your approach should just always be the same. And I feel like that kind of motivated me to just prove myself right more than anything, because I always try to believe that I'm the best. But even regardless of what other people think, if people. People think that I'm, like, worse or, like, not that good, that's cool. Like, let me prove myself right. And in the process, you get proved wrong as well. I think that's, like, you know, a big motivating factor. [00:24:00] Speaker A: Yeah. Was there, like, a particular moment where you thought, like, I can really do this at the next level? [00:24:08] Speaker B: Yeah. I would say, honestly, like, I was always kind of like, yo, like, I'm. I'm going to the league. I'm. I'm about to be, like, one of the greatest to ever play the game. I kind of was always thinking like that. But I think, like, especially when I got to Fort Erie and when I was playing against the guys that I would see on YouTube and I would see on Instagram, and I was, like, stacking. I was banging with them, like, you know, stacking up, and I was playing well, and I was. And I was. And I was there in the fight and, like, in the fire. I think that's when I was like, all right, like. Like, let's really do something for real. Like, I'm here. Like, let's do it. I think that when I got the four area. [00:24:45] Speaker A: Yeah. What was your first offer? [00:24:47] Speaker B: My first offer was Wyoming. [00:24:49] Speaker A: Wyoming? [00:24:49] Speaker B: Yes. [00:24:50] Speaker A: Did you want to visit? Did you go on originally in high school? Yeah, three. Three schools. [00:24:56] Speaker B: Virginia. First Rice and then Virginia. [00:24:59] Speaker A: Yeah. It was crazy. [00:25:00] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. [00:25:01] Speaker A: Like, what was your. Like when you're going, like, picking a school? Like, what was your. Like, okay, I want what I need from the school. And, like, also, like, I don't. I'm just. When I'm thinking, yeah, I'm like, yeah, I'm gonna go to Yale, especially education wise, that kind of stuff. [00:25:13] Speaker B: No, not. Yale's great. It was great. Like, I look for, obviously, the staff and fit basketball and who they are as people. I think, like I said, relationships that really matter. So just the fit basketball wise and how the staff wants to incorporate you into their basketball world and their team is really important. And I felt like, you know, all those three of those visits were great. Like, all coaches were great, great experiences, for sure thing. Out of high school, I had, like, maybe, like, 13 offers, but I didn't get My first offer, like, officially, until I want to say the, the summer before my senior season. So I want to say it was like in March or. Yeah, I think March of 2023. My first offer. [00:26:07] Speaker A: Okay. Okay. No rush. I feel like some people think they need to get like 10 offers. Like, what's your advice to guys? Like, obviously I see some, like grade nine, some tens. Again, like, the top offers. Like, what's your advice to see, like, a kid that's trying, like, like they're seeing that. Like, where's my offers coming in? [00:26:21] Speaker B: Yeah, not for sure. Like, that's big. Because I was one of those kids were like, I feel like I'm better than these guys are getting offers, but I'm not getting no. Like, I'm. I'm not getting no offers. Like, where am I at? I remember, like there was. There was times I was in my room, like, like, damn, like, what I gotta do? Like, am I doing something wrong? But nah, it's just, you gotta run your own race. Like, people will get offered before you and that's fine. Like, all you gotta do is stay true to your approach to the game. I think that's the biggest thing. Like, you can't second guess anything. You gotta have just tremendous confidence and tremendous work ethic. And like I said, the same approach, regardless if things go your way or not your way. Like, you're opposed to the game and the way you work and the way you prepare and who you are as a person should never change. And I feel like, sound funny, but the universe rewards those kind of people in some way, shape or fashion. So I feel like that's, that's my advice because I was definitely one of those people like, yo, like, what am I doing wrong? Like, I got my first offer late compared to some of these guys, right? So. But then it happened. And you, you stack enough good days to the point where something, Something right is going to happen, it's going to click. And which it did for me because you can be training, you can be preparing, man, five, seven years, like, it took me seven years, have a breakout year, but it's going to happen. Like, it's just. You got to be who you are and don't change that, whether it's going good for you or not. [00:27:50] Speaker A: And then you also win Canadian High school play of the year. Tell me about how that happened. Because I remember, like, Cav hitting me up saying, yo, he's about to win cash. I remember. I don't remember. We did an interview one time. I knew you're gonna Win. I didn't say anything on the phone. [00:28:02] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:28:02] Speaker A: And then I think they were gonna announce that bio Steel. So I was like, yo, he's about to win. I was like, I can't say anything. But what do you remember about, like, finding out that you're, like, the Canadian high school player of the year? [00:28:11] Speaker B: Yeah, no, it was crazy, cuz I actually found out, like, right at halftime of the. Of the all Canadian game. And it was definitely a great moment for me and my family and my village of people who were. Who were there with me. Because it's not, you know, it's more so like, not about me winning an award, but it's just like the culmination of all the hard work that's been putting into this for many, many years. And who I was able to do it with. That's the biggest thing. Fort Erie blessed me in so many ways. Changed my life. My village of people, like, they know who they are. They just, like, uplift me. And I felt like I kind of won that award for all of us, but it was a good moment. But like I said, like, those kind of things, like, you people forget about those kind of things, but I don't forget about the kind of. The work that went in before that, which kind of made it all. All the more sweeter. [00:29:05] Speaker A: Yeah. What do you remember about, like, those we talked about getting looks? What do you remember about, like, you're getting your first look and like, who was like, some people that, like, yo, who's this kid? And, like, kind of discovered you and, like, wanted to bring you on. We kind of touched on. I know Cav's also been a huge person. Can we talk about, like, who was somebody that was, like, in your corner supporting you? [00:29:22] Speaker B: Yeah. Nah, for sure. Obviously, I known. I known coach Cav through uplace for a long time, so he known me since I was like, seventh, sixth, seventh grade. So he always had my back and supported me. And when Fort Erie opened up, you know, he was the first one to reach out to me and give me that opportunity. Like I said, Fort Erie changed my life. And obviously coach Charles at Fort Erie, the way that he believed in me and the way that he allowed me to, you know, flourish at 40 was, like, changed my life, like I said. So I think those two, like, basketball were like, basketball pillars in my life. My trainer, Mathushin, I've known him for five, six years, and, like, he would always tell me when I first met him, like, like, you'll be the best. Like, you're going. You're going like, like he believed. He. He believed in me. Like when I didn't believe in myself sometimes, like when I questioned it sometimes. But he was always there just to keep me grounded. Work out with me three times a day. Didn't matter what the time was, where the gym was. We worked out outside. Like, I feel like that's a big part of my life and who I am. Not only basketball, just in general, and my village of people, like, they know who they are. They, they support me every single day. My brother, growing up, competitive older brother that you want to kill him sometimes. [00:30:52] Speaker A: Who wins the ones? [00:30:52] Speaker B: I mean, I win the ones. But it wasn't always like that. Like when I was little, like, he would beat me up, like, physically beat me up. Like, you know what I'm saying? How older brothers are in the heat of the game. But it's just, it's just growing up in that atmosphere and always just playing with him and competing with him. Like, that's like the biggest teacher of life. Like, you want to always win. You want to always be the best at something. But, you know, you got a unconditional support whenever you, you know, whenever you want. Obviously my parents, they, they obviously help me. They're just there through it all, like, unconditional love and support. But there's so many, like, there's like so many names, like my boy Shane, like my boy Jan, my boy Varshan, my boy Akil. Like, I miss my boy Amar. Like, we, we all just like are this village. Then I think that we're just like, we just find ways to get it done. They support me like crazy. Like, it's like nothing like it, to be honest with me. [00:31:53] Speaker A: So, like, I've seen the videos. You got like five defenders on you. [00:31:56] Speaker B: That's all. Everyone I mentioned just now is, is always in the gym with me, helping me out. And it's like, I don't think you can get that nowhere else. So I'm truly blessed. [00:32:05] Speaker A: Yeah. When did the love for basketball, like, start? Yeah, it's an early moment for you. [00:32:10] Speaker B: The one that I can remember, honestly was When I was 4 or 5, I think I was 5. The Lakers that played Boston, game 7, 2010, NBA Finals. And I seen Kobe. Seen Kobe. [00:32:27] Speaker A: Got a magazine of Kobe. [00:32:29] Speaker B: Yeah, crazy. Seen Kobe play. And he obviously won. The Lakers obviously won. And immediately after that game, me and my brother went outside because we had a net in the driveway. And we would just like try to mimic like what we saw or what I saw. And I was like 5 years old, so I Wasn't really. I wasn't great. I was. I wasn't strong. It's the first time I probably touched a basketball. But I knew I loved what I just saw. My eyes lit up every time I would watch basketball from then on. So I feel like that's where really the love of the game started. And that love kind of just, like, was fostered through, like, weird things. Just like recess. Like, playing recess basketball was what I love to do every day. Like, any of my friends, like, the. The game is, like, it's purest when you just have fun with your friends. I think, like, the business of basketball goes away. Like, you're just hooping. No limits, no nothing. You just hooping. So I feel like those. Like, when you play outside with your friends and you play at recess every day, when you go outside and you shovel the driveway to shoot, you know, shoot shots in your driveway when there's snowing, it's minus 30 degrees outside. Like, I feel like those times are where you really developed a love for the game, and I feel like that was the case for me. [00:33:44] Speaker A: Yeah. Shout out to Kobe. I have a lot of takes about Kobe as a basketball player. I think some people that are in this room, they know about it. But who's your top five? [00:33:53] Speaker B: Like, all time. [00:33:54] Speaker A: All time. [00:33:55] Speaker B: That's a crazy question on the spot. [00:33:57] Speaker A: You better not say Kobe's number one. [00:33:58] Speaker B: N. He's not number one, but, like, he's my favorite, but he's not number one. I got Jordan. [00:34:05] Speaker A: Okay. [00:34:05] Speaker B: I got. Yeah, I got Braun. [00:34:07] Speaker A: Okay. [00:34:08] Speaker B: I got Kobe at three. [00:34:09] Speaker A: Okay. [00:34:12] Speaker B: That four and five. It's a crazy takeout. I want to put KD top five for me. Oh, it's basketball. Like, basketball wise. But I know I'm. That's gonna sound crazy. No. Pure time. That's what I'm saying. Like, I would take kd. Like, I'm taking Katie top five. But I'm. I'll probably throw. I'll probably throw Kareem in there. [00:34:34] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:34:35] Speaker B: Shaq can be thrown in there. Okay. Maddie Johnson can be thrown in there. [00:34:39] Speaker A: I have some. I have a crazier take, but I don't know. [00:34:41] Speaker B: What's your take? What's your thing? You gotta say it. [00:34:43] Speaker A: My top three. My top three. Jordan. [00:34:45] Speaker B: Okay. [00:34:45] Speaker A: Braun. [00:34:46] Speaker B: Okay. [00:34:46] Speaker A: Curry. [00:34:47] Speaker B: I got Curry. Top three, dog. [00:34:50] Speaker A: The way he changed basketball. We might be here for a while, but, hey, and you don't want to know where I put Kobe, because it's. [00:34:56] Speaker B: Where's Kobe? [00:34:57] Speaker A: Let's not talk about. Let's get. Let's get next to Fort Erie. We talked about. [00:35:01] Speaker B: Okay, we might get to it later on. [00:35:04] Speaker A: What was it like living out there? Yeah, because like I've been to Fort Erie. [00:35:07] Speaker B: Yeah. You know how it is. [00:35:08] Speaker A: There's nothing. [00:35:09] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:35:09] Speaker A: So going out there, the selling point, what was that for you, like and then playing basketball for you? [00:35:15] Speaker B: Yeah. Luckily I'm a nerd and I don't do anything. Like I have no other hobbies, but I play basketball. So that. So 40, like for people who don't know or it's very like isolated. So the 40 year campus is like the school, your little dorm, the gym. You got class, you got basketball in school. [00:35:34] Speaker A: Secluded. [00:35:35] Speaker B: It's literally that's all you got. And you got your teammates who literally become like your family. Like you literally with them 24 7. You live with them, you eat with them, you play with them, you go to class with them, you see them literally every second. So luckily for, for me, like that's all I came there for. I just wanted to play basketball and get better and obviously get an education. But the selling point was obviously like the relationships. Like Coach Cab, Coach Charles at the time, Coach Kip was there and then afterwards coach Kemi came, Coach Darnell, Coach Leash on the girls side. So I feel like that relationship that I formed was. Was big, but there was really no pitch. Like just the opportunity to play at a prep school was big for me. And luckily, like I said, like all I did was play basketball. So it kind of spoke to me. I can get in the gym whenever I want. Oh, bet. Open 24 7. Alright, bet. I'm five seconds away from the gym. All right, bet. What else? Like I got free food in the caf. I bet like all worked out. That's all I needed. So it kind of just worked. [00:36:39] Speaker A: What's the best thing in four Erie like to do? [00:36:43] Speaker B: Go to the convenience store. I swear. I swear. Have you had. [00:36:48] Speaker A: Is it Rizzo? [00:36:49] Speaker B: Rizzo. [00:36:50] Speaker A: The chicken parm spot. [00:36:51] Speaker B: Nah. Oh, maybe, maybe, maybe. I don't remember. [00:36:55] Speaker A: I hear good things. I hear like that's the best chicken parm spot. That's. I'm a. Maybe I'm a like chicken parm connoisseur. You know, I'll let you. That's tough with Alfredo pasta. [00:37:02] Speaker B: Yeah, that's tough. That's tough. [00:37:03] Speaker A: That's. [00:37:04] Speaker B: Nah. But literally like I think it's called Avondale, the convenience store. We literally like as a team, we would walk, like I said together we'd walk like a little five minute walk right right beside the school. Go to Avondale at that time. You know, we're young, stupid. We're getting candy, chips, drinks, Gatorade, cookies. Get that little stash put in your room. [00:37:29] Speaker A: That's about it. [00:37:29] Speaker B: That's about it. But honestly, like, the basketball and the camaraderie you build in the dorms, like, that's the best part. Like, I. Like, I love all those guys to death. Like, we still talk every day. Like, so. [00:37:43] Speaker A: Yeah, I know you guys do a lot of get togethers too. [00:37:45] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:37:46] Speaker A: And it's crazy, the amount of talent that's come out of there, that's gone to ncaa. Like, the number. I'm. I'm you guys to search it up. [00:37:51] Speaker B: It's. [00:37:52] Speaker A: I did a story on it too, a few years back, if you want to. Like, like, why everyone is going to Fort Erie to play basketball. Because it was just like, why the hell are you there? I think you're in that story. You're also there for Len Miller's rise. [00:38:02] Speaker B: Right? [00:38:03] Speaker A: What was that like, seeing him kind of, because he got to. For Erie was unknown. Like, nobody knew who this guy was really outside of, like, you guys. [00:38:11] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:38:11] Speaker A: What was it like? Was there a moment where you're like, this guy is different and, like, everyone's about to find out? [00:38:16] Speaker B: Yeah. No, like, I mean, you could obviously see when you got on. On campus at 40, like, he's very talented. He's huge. Like, he's tall. Like, he's like 6:10, 6:11 with guard skills. So you can obviously see, like, oh, the potential to be special is there and not like in practice. You would see it every day. Like, guarding him is very hard. Like, you know what I'm saying? So competing with him is great. Like, he's. He wants to win and everything. And I'm like that too, on and off the court. So I feel like it was fun just every day to see his rise. And then the first two games. So I was a sophomore at this time and he was a senior. The first two games of the year, we were playing Osba. Yeah, 45 the first game and like, 59 the second game. And I was like, yeah, yeah, he's one of the ones. So obviously crazy season. 30s, 40s, 50, damn near 60. Player of the year goes to the G league, night kills, gets drafted. You could see it, like, you can see it, like, the way he moves, the swag he plays with. I feel like that team also was special, man. That's a special team. You got Jaden, Clayton, Manuel, Milan. A lot of people know him, but crazy Jaden Webley, Isaac Jackson. That team was like, special, obviously. You got guys who were there three years with me, like Mateo Graham, Diego Ramos, Braden Jackson, Chris Kumu. You know, those guys came up with me as well. So that first year team was special. Felix. Felix came the next year. So Oliver Faubert came. He was there. Original, obviously. Mariel came the next year. Charles came the next year. [00:40:05] Speaker A: I think you mentioned Christian, too. [00:40:06] Speaker B: Yeah, Christian came the next year. So not that, but that first year was like, foundational and got a lot of Hoopers. So. [00:40:12] Speaker A: Yeah, it's crazy just like thinking about the talent that's come out. You said you guys keep in touch a lot, too. And what. What's it like seeing, like we talked about it, like the, the rivalry. Yeah, I mentioned it. For eerie royal crown. To me, that is the most like the, the. The greatest hoops in high school that I've watched, like, in a while. [00:40:33] Speaker B: Right. [00:40:34] Speaker A: What was that like? Living it, being in it. Know you have some stories, so I'm like, whoa. [00:40:39] Speaker B: I mean, you hate. [00:40:40] Speaker A: You hate those guys, man. [00:40:43] Speaker B: No comment. But it's fun playing against them, obviously, because we're two very talented teams, two very competitive teams, and because we've met up and mashed up so many times. A rivalry, A rivalry always builds. Like it's. It's organic. Like, when a team competes the way that we do, it's going to happen. And I feel like we matched up so many times. I can't remember every time we matched up, obviously we won some. Obviously they won some. You know, we don't want them knowing any, but they did. But obviously, like, it's fun because everyone knows everyone. Like you, you all on the same circuit. Like, like this Canadian hoops, like, that's not even, like, that's like Ontario, you know, I'm saying, like the gta, like, everyone's from there. So everyone knows everyone since young families know each other. Yeah. Like, so it's just like, it's fun every time you get to compete because it's a little extra, like underneath there. You know what I'm saying? You go a little harder, you talk a little more trash, like it means a little more. But nah, it's fun because like I said, two amazing teams, two competitive teams, two, you know, great coach teams. So it's fun every time we play. [00:41:57] Speaker A: What was your final year like? Obviously, I think osb, you guys went like, undefeated that entire year. And then Ospas, you get some redemption. But tell me about undefeated and you're going to Ospas Championship. That game You. That was probably, like, the shots you were hitting were insane. I was. I was watching that game live. I'm like, this brother looks like a NBA player coming off pin downs, rising up, pulling up. What was that game like? [00:42:21] Speaker B: Man, that game was. I was like, probably one of the craziest games I've been a part of. Like, I said, we were like, 180 or something like that. Like, it was crazy. We were undefeated coming into that in osba, but, man, like, it was a crazy back and forth, back and forth, back and forth game. A lot of. A lot of people were there. It was at Pan Am, so it was like, you know, it's a big gym. Yeah. You know, there. They had their side, we had our side. So it was. It was fun. I had. I shot the ball good, that game. Like, I had a good game, but, like, I missed the game. Winner. That was the most open I ever been. The whole game. Yeah, the most open. The most open shot I had the whole game. I missed. But, you know, they won. They won that. But I feel like that was. That's the beauty of basketball, because basketball will give you so much, but it will humble. Humble you so quick. And who knows? Like, if that didn't happen, I wouldn't be who I am five years from now, because, you know, I still think about that. Like, that. Like, man, when I shoot, when I'm playing the game, like, I still have that. I saw the motivation, that anger that disappointed it. Like, that runs through me every time I play basketball now. But on a brighter note, we played them a couple weeks later in Nationals, and we got the win. And that was, like, a crazy win because we were down, like, a lot. Like, we're down by, like, 11 in the fourth quarter or something like that. [00:43:49] Speaker A: I thought y' all were. I almost turned off. I was like, this game might be over. [00:43:51] Speaker B: Yes. But, like, me, see, I didn't even play that. I didn't shoot the ball that well. So, like, that was, like, a total team effort. Like, my teammates literally just, like, uplifted me and the whole team. Like, it was a total team effort. [00:44:03] Speaker A: I think Mero had a good game. [00:44:04] Speaker B: Mero had a good game. Felix had a good game. Chris had a good game. Like, I feel like we were meant to win that game. Um, so it was just great to kind of get that revenge and kind of just make them feel a little what we felt, you know? So it was. It was fun. That's the beauty of basketball, though, as that was my last high school basketball game. Winning that was Was big and got to celebrate with my family, my village that was there. So it was fun, man. But that's the beauty of basketball. [00:44:33] Speaker A: Yeah. I miss those kind of hoops because, I don't know, maybe in the last year or so, like I haven't there was a game like Royal Crown for Erie like earlier, I think earlier this year. But then there's not much like, like. [00:44:43] Speaker B: Like this, right? [00:44:44] Speaker A: Yeah. Like, you know, like people talk about the Eastern Commerce days and I forgot the other school. But Easter, Commerce, Oakwood, like the rivalries between that and then I feel like you guys were kind of bringing it back. [00:44:55] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. [00:44:55] Speaker A: And then, I don't know, I feel. [00:44:57] Speaker B: Like kind of lost right now. [00:44:58] Speaker A: We're kind of lost right now, man. Someone's got to bring it back, right? Or something. We got to see a program that's, you know, especially now. Obviously we talked about something as Charles headed to Pacific. You know, it's losing the juice. You know, it's like there's not like you guys, you guys are gone too. So a lot of your old teammates now there too. What are your thoughts too specific? I feel like that's like Canada's team in a way. Jaden's there, Isaac's there. [00:45:18] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean it's. I think it's a good situation for them. I feel like obviously Coach Charles is an outstanding, unbelievable coach, an unbelievable human being. Obviously Jaden Isaac have that relationship with him and I love those guys like my brothers. So I feel like that's a good situation there for them. Just opportunity wise, conference wise. So I feel like that's gonna be. That's. That's good. It's good to see more Canadian representation everywhere you go in the ncaa, so. Can't. Can't hate it. [00:45:46] Speaker A: Yeah. I'm guessing you guys keep in touch all the time, huh? [00:45:48] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, for sure. [00:45:50] Speaker A: Yeah. Tell me about. You've been also working out like a Humber, right? [00:45:54] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:45:55] Speaker A: How did that happen? Tell me about, about that. And I know you've been working out with guys like Dylan Brooks, right? Anybody else? [00:46:00] Speaker B: Yeah, like I've. I've been in the gym with Dylan Bros, Caleb Houston. Guys like that. It's just, it's fun because like you, that's high level talent. My training Methusian works there. David Tindale works there. Those guys kind of like run it the basketball training wise. And I feel like anytime I'm able and have the honor to get in the gym with. With high level pros like that, it's fun because I get to Test myself. You know, they get to test them, you know, their ability. And it's good to just pick up little things and watch little details because, you know, I'm sitting on the sidelines after my workout's done and I'm watching, you know, DB play, I'm watching him work out, I'm watching Caleb Houston workout or I'm working out, you know, with him. But it's just, it's just cool to see the little details and little nuances, little footwork stuff, a little pocket changes they have, the way that they get into their shots, the way that they bump, create space, the details that the trainers are telling them and how they respond to that training, like how the response to the teaching, how they implement it. There just little stuff like that that allows them to be pros because that's where I want to be. So I'm in a good position to learn from them and, and see them work out and see, see them put in work every single day and how professional and how, you know, detail oriented they are. So I feel like it's a good situation to be in that environment always. [00:47:18] Speaker A: What's it been like guarding them? You seem like, oh, damn, there's levels to this NBA stuff. [00:47:23] Speaker B: Yeah, like, like, are you giving them buckets, too? Yeah, like, it's fun because, like, guys in the NBA are very efficient with their movements. That's, I think, the biggest thing. Like, there's no wasted movements and everything's very precise and, and very, like, detail oriented. And obviously they're just strong. They're big, strong grown men. So you got to take your physicality, take your toughness, and take your approach to the game to another level when you play them. And obviously, like, I'm in college, I'm trying to get there, but I'm also trying to embarrass them. I want to embarrass. I want to. I'm better than this guy. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, that kind of mentality. So you can't duck away from that. You got to approach everything like, oh, like, all right, let's see how I stack up against him. Like, can I, can I outplay him? Can I outperform him? Can I get a stop right here? Can I make him change his angle, make him take a tough shot? You know, is he gonna guard me? Like, is he willing to run around and chase me? Like, so just finding out. You find out a lot about yourself when you go up against high level people in, in the atmosphere. So I feel like it's Fun. It's the best ball. [00:48:27] Speaker A: Yeah. Any favorite stories from. From those runs? Is Dylan Brooks, like, does he. Is he exactly the way you see him on tv? Like, talking trash also? I feel like he's also. People don't see the side. Like, he's kind of humble too. Like, the way he's back. Like, I seen him at the Jada Finch Classic. Like, you know, just helping guys out. But what was that? Like, any favorite stories from, like, those runs or. [00:48:45] Speaker B: Yeah, not for sure. We had a. We had a team like me, my trainer, my brother, a couple of our friends, and we played against, you know, DB's 5. Just like, the way that we had to, like, kind of like game plan to like, try to beat them was like, nothing I would. Would have done. Like, you're locked in. Like, we want to win so bad that we're like, developing like, defenses to like, guard him. Because, like, I'm not doing that in runs. You're trying to get yours. You know, I'm saying working stuff, it's like, casual, like. Yeah, but like, this is serious. Like, like, everyone wants to win on that court. So, like, we're like, heavy in the gap. Like, we're talking about sending him one way, forcing him this way, like, making him change his pickup point. Like, all that stuff. I think that's like the, the best thing. He probably doesn't even know it. Probably doesn't see it, but like, we, we see it like we were trying to. We're trying to win. [00:49:34] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:49:35] Speaker B: So I feel like that's like the, the. The best thing about those kind of runs. Just trying to figure out where you can get an advantage from facts. [00:49:43] Speaker A: What, what players do you like to study the most? Because obviously we talked about you're learning from these guys, getting firsthand, guarding them. But also, like St. Louis has told you, like, we kind of see you as this model. What's that? Give and take. And I'm guessing you probably like, studying for me. Talk about being in analytics. I'm guessing you're a big synergy guy too. [00:49:57] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, no, for sure. Like, I'm also like a big. Just like, I just love to watch basketball in general. Like, whatever is on, I'll watch it. Like, you know, I watch women's basketball a lot. Like, I watch NBA, obviously, high level Euro League. Like, I'll even watch like the big three. Like, I'll just watch that. Like, I just, like, I'll watch one on one. Michael Beasley. Like, I watch this YouTube creator. Guys work like, you know, I'm Saying so I just, I like watching basketball in general and I feel like that's like the biggest way to like just like be engulfed in the game. But like, nah. Like I study guys a lot for like certain things. So you can take certain things out of certain players bags. So for shooting, I love to shoot the ball. I want to be a specialist. So I look at guys like Klay Thompson, the efficiency of his movements, how he's coming off certain actions, how he's keeping the ball high, releasing high, Curry, his followed through, his ability to shoot off the dribble is crazy. His balance is crazy. The way he puts arc on the ball is crazy. Guys like JJ Redick, that's why Curry's. [00:51:03] Speaker A: Top, top three for me. [00:51:04] Speaker B: Yeah, I don't know about all that, but yeah, he's up there. But not like guys like J.J. redick, Kyle Korver, even like guys like Sam Merrill, guys like Kyle guy like he, like they, they are like like savants when it comes to shooting the basketball. You know, I'm saying like Sam Houser, A.J. green on the Bucks, like guys who many people don't really like watch like that but I think it's really like fascinating to see how they succeed and what they do and shooting the ball for sure like that. Also guys like who create their own shot. Like obviously right now Shay is taking over the basketball world and he's one of ours. Like he's Canadian, right? So just watching him, the way he's always at his own speed, like his cadence, his pace, the way he changes levels, the way he changes speeds, his, his tween bursts, the way he. Obviously that shoulder is iconic now. That shoulder bumps iconic now. So the way he gets space in the mid range, how he uses his pump face, how he's smart, gets to the free throw line, gets some easy ones. Not getting going so, so far yet. All right, let me get some easy ones. The free throw line, the art of scoring, the art of making easy shots, getting easy baskets. And not everyone wants to shoot tough shots all the time. Like the great ones can. But you ask them, they want the easiest shot possible. So just studying that type of stuff. Like I watched Tyler Hero, a big fan of Tyler Hero's game, the way he's, he's very smooth and fluid. KD's was like one of my favorite players growing up as well. Obviously I'm not 7ft, but he wouldn't. [00:52:43] Speaker A: Shut off on anybody. [00:52:44] Speaker B: Yeah, like, but the way his like his hesi pull his, his left to right cross. Like the way he, you know, hang dribbles where he gets to his pull up. Just stuff like that. And obviously, like, you see like a lot of undersized guards under, like, not the most athletic, like guys like Ty Jerome, like who killed this year, just because they're very skilled and very smart. And I feel like, you know, athleticism is. Will take you so far, but that skill level that you have that outlasts anything and the way you can use your brain. So like I said, that's a lot of players. But I watched this. [00:53:22] Speaker A: I can tell you what you name drop Sam Merrill. Tyrell. Like, this is something like serious Hoopers. [00:53:28] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, they. The league is filled with gems. [00:53:32] Speaker A: It's funny too because like when the combine happens, like, usually teams will ask, like, who's your favorite player to watch? You know, keep that talked in a few years when you're like, hey, Sam Merrill. [00:53:41] Speaker B: This guy is. [00:53:42] Speaker A: He's different. Like Sam Merrill hoops. [00:53:44] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. Like, it's crazy because, you know, me and my, my trainer Matush, and we watch a lot of these guys that are low key but that do a skill so specially like, so like, precisely. And so at an elite level that they stay in the league and get money and get contracts and get playing time. Because they do that one thing at an elite, elite, elite level. Like I've seen Sam Merrill release the ball in like 0.3 seconds. Like, catch high, keep high. Like, if you can do that one, you can get a shot off of anyone to your master floor spacer. You can't for other creators to get theirs. And three, like, you can use that to your advantage because you. They know you're a shooter. They know that's what you want to do. You want to shoot the ball, and you have the ability to shoot the ball. But when you use that to your advantage. I fake, pump fake. You're jumping. Okay, now you're getting to the paint. You can either one side, step three, boom, get space. Another three, get to the mid range. But also you can get in the paint and create for other people. And then your value as a player just increases, increases, increases, and to the point where you can do now multiple things based off your specialty, based off your elite skill level at one thing, your superpower. Like I like to call it that. Like your superpower. But that's like big today's NBA, because not a lot of guys, I feel like you're not getting paid money to be Kyrie Irving. Like, there's people getting paid $100 million to create. Like, do One skill and do your superpower the best that you can. Like make it your, your deadliest weapon. And obviously you want to continue to get better at all facets of the game. Like look at Devin Booker like he came in the league. Sniper, tucky, sniper, catch and shoot. But then look at him now, like offensive maestro. So, I mean, I'm rambling, but yeah, that's. [00:55:29] Speaker A: No, I love it, man. I can just tell like how much you love the game when, you know, hearing you talk about it, what's been like something you've been honing in on this summer, like, what's been your like trying to improve on and like whether it's like St. Louis, like we want you to improve in this aspect and yourself. What do you, what have you been holding in on? [00:55:45] Speaker B: Yeah, recently I've been just like working on, to use my specialty, which I believe is shooting. You know, everyone, listen, everyone knows I like to shoot the ball, but using that to expand my game for myself and for others, like, I just touched on it. Like when the threat of me shooting the ball is so high, it opens up the floor for other stuff. Because if you run me off the line now, that stuff is where I can get to the stuff that. The nitty gritty stuff, like the mid range game, the float game. [00:56:12] Speaker A: What are your thoughts on the mid range game? Like, people say it's like a, it's a dime. But then we watch Shay, like you mentioned, and he's like just won a championship, just killing it in the mid range. [00:56:21] Speaker B: I personally love mid range shots. [00:56:25] Speaker A: I love to hear this. [00:56:26] Speaker B: I love mid range shots because I feel like it's just such a skillful shot sometimes. Obviously the analytical world says that non paint 2. So you're not in the paint and you're shooting like a 17, 18 footer is not the best analytical shot you can shoot, which they're probably right. [00:56:44] Speaker A: I was gonna say, how does St. Louis feel about mid range shots? [00:56:47] Speaker B: I mean, yeah, like if you're like this is anywhere, like if you're good at that one thing, like if you're good at like if you produce at one point per possession, like efficient. Yeah, if you're efficient on that shot, I mean, yeah, you're not gonna take away from your game. But also like, like I said, like non paint twos, obviously not the most analytically great shot, but if you can shoot them at a high level and make them at a high level, then that's a good shot for you. It all depends on what you work, how you work on that shot and how that shot helps you in the game. Me personally, I love mid range shots because, like, sometimes you can't get all the way to the rim or you can't get away to the three. Like, you get to that mid range area. Like I said, like, Shay's the best at it right now. Get space in that little, that mid range, that sweet spot. It's like, it's like beautiful to watch, honestly. So. [00:57:33] Speaker A: Yeah, so you said mid range floater. [00:57:35] Speaker B: Yeah, mid range floaters. Those are like the, the, like the, the middle, the second level shots, you know, I'm saying, which are kind of like mid range is like they're saying it's dying. But I mean, hey, I love watching mid range shooters kill. Demar derozan. Yeah, Shay obviously, look at Demar. [00:57:54] Speaker A: People tell him stop doing it. And he hasn't doing it for, for how many years? [00:57:57] Speaker B: Obviously. KD, Devin Booker, Kyrie Irving. So skillful at like 6:2. Kyrie Irving get his shot off in the middle on anyone. But like I said, those guys are special. You got to work really hard to make sure that shot's a good shot for you. [00:58:10] Speaker A: What do you feel like is the most underrated part about your game? [00:58:13] Speaker B: I would say the most underrated part of my game is my playmaking ability. I feel like I can get others involved and make plays, whether it's off of bounds, off the bounce off actions. I feel like I can make plays for myself and others pretty well. And that's something that, you know, I want to continue to work on because that just increases my value as a player. And I feel like I can read the game well and have a high iq. I think I've had to do that because I'm not the most athletic person in a gym. So you got to use your strengths to your advantage. So if I can read a play two sets before it happens, I have an advantage on the player that. That doesn't. Not able to do that. [00:58:59] Speaker A: So. Isn't your bro athletic? [00:59:00] Speaker B: Yeah, my bro has a 40 that. I mean, he, he's him though. Like, he, you know, he, he definitely. He can get up there. I mean, I get up there too, but it's just like he can really get up there. [00:59:11] Speaker A: So what's like the craziest dunk you've done? [00:59:13] Speaker B: I've done like a, like a. Off the, like the south lob. Like Wendy. [00:59:17] Speaker A: Okay. Yeah. East Bay? [00:59:19] Speaker B: Nah, not yet. [00:59:20] Speaker A: Have you seen that Zay Hamilton kid? [00:59:22] Speaker B: Yeah. You can get up there. Yeah. You can fly. Yeah, you can fly. Now Those are definitely exciting stuff. Like, that stuff's actually cool to do. You know what I'm saying? That's cool to watch, too. [00:59:33] Speaker A: I want to ask you, too, obviously, in college, what's going to be your approach to getting to the next level? [00:59:39] Speaker B: Yeah, that's a good question. I feel like one. Maximizing your value as a player is important, but also, like, I just touched on having that one superpower. Having that superpower and being able to be a lead at it is. Is very, very important. Because if you have a transferable skill set, I feel like you can play anywhere, like, high school, college, the NBA. And I feel like shooting is one of those premiums that everyone needs shooting, but also being able to use that shooting to leverage yourself and leverage your teammates to the best of your ability, get others involved. Like I said, they run you off the line. Okay, like, how can I get my teammates involved? How can I make a playoff? Two feet. And honestly, like, being efficient. Like, I feel like NBA scouts and NBA coaches, you're not getting 20 shots like Kevin Durant or Devin Booker or Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry. Like, if you get five shots in a game, and that's. If you get five shots in a game, the best way to maximize your. Your. Your value is being efficient with those five shots and making those five touches count every time. And then once you proven you can do that, that's when you build. That's when you build. That's when you build. When you build, you get more trust from yourself, your coaches. That's how you. That's how guys take that. That next step from say, average, like, six points a game to, like, averaging 14. Then from 14, you go to 19. Then from 19, you go to 23, and all of a sudden now you're averaging 30 points a game just because you build every single year and get better. But not for me personally, like, just making sure that I'm obviously working on my superpower every single day and making sure that I can hold up in other aspects of the game as well, like being able to guard. Like, you got to guard an island to play in the NBA, I guess otherwise you're gonna get picked at every single time, and you can't play if you get picked on every single time. Guys like Donovan Mitchell, like, fast, athletic guards, Anthony Edwards, like, the best players, they just hunt mismatches and they go at them. So if you're a mismatch, you can't play. So honestly, like, keeping my defensive ability high as well and showcasing that I'm a well rounded player that's efficient is going to be what's the best thing for me. [01:01:51] Speaker A: Yeah, you talked about, like, guys getting like, Dylan Brooks. You see the strength of them. Has that been something? Have you been, like, putting on weight? Where you at? Like, where were you at? Maybe like, high school? [01:02:00] Speaker B: No, no. Yeah, I know for sure. That's, that's, that's like really big. Because if you're strong, it kind of makes up for a lot of stuff. So say you're like, very strong and you, like, you're sturdy or dense, you're physical, but you're not the most quick laterally, say, on defense. Right. You can make up for that with your strength because you can take chest bumps. You can. You can knock it off your line offensively and drive in straighter lines. Like, that stuff is really important. And for me, like, in high school, I was probably like, I want to say like a 175. [01:02:34] Speaker A: 170 kind of where I'm at right now. [01:02:36] Speaker B: Okay. Okay. Yeah, yeah. [01:02:38] Speaker A: So I'm a bit lower than that. [01:02:40] Speaker B: You know, but, like, I was, you know, I was. I was. Okay. I would say I'm at, like, I'm. I'm touching two bills now. £200 soon, I'm. I'm at that, like 195, 200 pound range. But as long as it's good, like, good weight and it's good muscle and it's. And it translates physically to being on the court and being able to guard and being able to move fast. You still have to be able to accelerate linearly and laterally. [01:03:10] Speaker A: So am I gonna see that, like, shade bump? Yeah. [01:03:13] Speaker B: Hey. Coming. It's coming. [01:03:15] Speaker A: I want to see. I'm texting. [01:03:17] Speaker B: It's coming. [01:03:17] Speaker A: Okay. Or the Andrew Nemhardt. Andrew Nemar has a nice. [01:03:20] Speaker B: Andrew Nemahardt has one of the most underrated and strong bumps in the NBA. [01:03:23] Speaker A: You have Brook Lopez flying out of. [01:03:25] Speaker B: The way out, though. I know exactly clip you're talking, man. Man, like, guys like that, like, watching basketball, like, that's cool. Like, because you can see, like, a guy bump, uses momentum, a guard on a big. [01:03:37] Speaker A: And he shouldn't do that. [01:03:38] Speaker B: Yeah, traditionally. [01:03:39] Speaker A: Right. [01:03:39] Speaker B: But just like the way he moves, like, uses his body and the way he can control his body to do that and to like, work on, like a bump Midi or bump euro, like bump euro, you know, bump gather. Like, that stuff is like kind of nerds me out. [01:03:53] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. What goals do you have for yourself this upcoming season? [01:03:56] Speaker B: Yeah, for me, personally, like, I don't really have, like, I have, obviously, the way I envision myself playing. You know, I could say, I want to say, like, you know, I want to be a 10 player of the year this year, but that's not going to take away from the. The team, you know what I'm saying? Because like my coach right now, you know, coach shirts always says individual stuff is downstream from team success. So, like, if your team is winning, you will win individually as a player. So I feel like I want to win everything this year as a team. But for me personally, yeah, like, I want to win a 10 player of the year. I'll be the best player in the conference. I want to be the best shooter in the country. I want to have, you know, such and such percentage, field goal, three point percentage. You know what I'm saying? I want to. [01:04:42] Speaker A: 40? [01:04:43] Speaker B: Yeah, I want to be 40 plus. Like, that's elite. Like if you be 45, that's. That's like elite. Elite. [01:04:48] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:04:49] Speaker B: So, like I, I have those goals for myself for sure, but that's downstream from team. Team success, like I said. [01:04:54] Speaker A: So we're gonna end off in a bit here, but I, I want to get. I haven't done this before, but as a guy that falls college, you know, the Canadian talent, the NBA talent, I want to. What's your starting five? Like, say a Canadian college players. If I had to, like, get you in a game and like, give me your five. Like, who you rocking with? Don't pick your homies. Actually, you could pick your homies. [01:05:13] Speaker B: Yeah. I was about to say, I was like, all right, I'm going. All field. Let's do it right now. I'm going all 40. Let's go. Me, I'm going. Felix at Colorado. [01:05:21] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:05:21] Speaker B: I'm going. Muriel at Texas Tech. [01:05:23] Speaker A: Okay. [01:05:24] Speaker B: I'm going. I'm going. Oliver at St. Mary's I'm going. Christian. [01:05:29] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:05:29] Speaker B: At Washington. Yeah, I'm going. I don't care. I have six. I don't care. I have Chris Kuma at Canisius. [01:05:36] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:05:36] Speaker B: Am I missing any? That's. That's the NCAA right now, right? Yeah. I'm Brayden going Braden, Jackson, St. Bonnie's. Those seven. [01:05:46] Speaker A: You guys running the table. [01:05:48] Speaker B: Running the table. [01:05:49] Speaker A: Damn. So if I give. What if I give you five? I'll give you five right now. Actually, let me think about it. It might be tough to give you five. [01:05:55] Speaker B: Whoever you get. Whoever you got. Whoever you got. I'm taking fia. I'm taking Fia. Boys over them. [01:06:00] Speaker A: Oh, okay. Hey, I need a response for Some people. [01:06:04] Speaker B: I'm taking Fia boys over them. [01:06:05] Speaker A: Fia boys, let's see your NBA. Who's your starting five in the NBA? Okay. [01:06:09] Speaker B: Okay, I see that. That's where it gets more interesting. Like, can. Like Canada. Okay. Obviously you got Shay. I'm getting Shea. Yeah. [01:06:20] Speaker A: Db db Sher. [01:06:25] Speaker B: N. I'll put him at the three. [01:06:26] Speaker A: Put him at the three. [01:06:27] Speaker B: I'm putting. I'm going Andrew. [01:06:28] Speaker A: Andrew at the two. [01:06:30] Speaker B: Yeah. [01:06:30] Speaker A: Off ball roll. He can. [01:06:31] Speaker B: I'm honestly going positionless. [01:06:33] Speaker A: Okay. [01:06:33] Speaker B: Positionless. So I'm going Shay. [01:06:35] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:06:36] Speaker B: Andrew. DB I'm going Lou. Lou. I need Lou. Physicality, dog. [01:06:45] Speaker A: It's a little small. [01:06:46] Speaker B: I need a big. [01:06:48] Speaker A: Need a big. There's not many bigs right now. Oh, Dwight Powell. Not Zach Edie. [01:06:54] Speaker B: Zach Edie. Yeah. Dwight Powell is seasoned. [01:06:56] Speaker A: Not going Leonard Miller. [01:06:58] Speaker B: I'm going like. [01:06:59] Speaker A: Yeah, there's a lot of guys. [01:07:01] Speaker B: Hey, that's. Let's change. Let's change. Let's change. I'm changing. I'm changing. I'm changing, I'm changing. Changing it. Let's hear it. I'm going Shay, Andrew, D.B. leonard. [01:07:10] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:07:10] Speaker B: I can't believe I got Leonard. And then I'm going Dwight Powell. Do it. [01:07:15] Speaker A: Okay. Dwight, Old school, man. [01:07:17] Speaker B: No, let's do it. [01:07:18] Speaker A: That's nice. What's been. What's the next few weeks look like for you? Now? Obviously heading. Heading to St. Louis. What's that gonna be like? [01:07:28] Speaker B: Yeah, so I'm here obviously for another week or so. Training, lifting, and then going to St. Louis and then classes start, my school starts. So we'll just be in practice. We got lifts, we got class, and there's just business as usual. And before I know it, October, November rolls around, it's go time. So that's really the plan. [01:07:46] Speaker A: Yeah. Sad and seeing global jam, man. I was hoping to see you this summer, man. Yeah. Yeah, maybe. Maybe next year. [01:07:53] Speaker B: My boy Felix is playing it. [01:07:54] Speaker A: Felix. [01:07:55] Speaker B: So that's all. [01:07:56] Speaker A: Is that something you want to do, play for Canada in the future? [01:07:58] Speaker B: Yeah, for sure. Like, that's a great opportunity to obviously play for your national team. So that's. That's for sure. But I'm be supporting my boy Felix. [01:08:05] Speaker A: Yeah. Shout out to Felix anything people don't know about you. That's like, what's under you say you. You just chill at home, you do your thing. Obviously, I feel like just gym rat's like, what's like a fun fact? Yeah. What's like a fun fact or like something that's like, you do in your free time? That most people be like, that's interesting. [01:08:23] Speaker B: Yeah. I'm not gonna lie. I watch. I'm a habitual watcher of the show Smallville. [01:08:30] Speaker A: Smallville? [01:08:30] Speaker B: Yes. [01:08:31] Speaker A: Is this Netflix? [01:08:32] Speaker B: Nah, it's on Prime Video. [01:08:33] Speaker A: Prime Video? [01:08:34] Speaker B: It's. [01:08:34] Speaker A: I gotta put you on Big Brother. [01:08:36] Speaker B: What is that? [01:08:37] Speaker A: Oh, don't do that. Reality television. [01:08:39] Speaker B: Yeah, Big Brother. [01:08:40] Speaker A: You watch Survivor? [01:08:42] Speaker B: Nah, I'm telling you, I really don't watch anything except for, like, bass on a couple shows. [01:08:47] Speaker A: What's the show? Small. [01:08:48] Speaker B: Like, Smallville. Like, it's about Superman before he turns into Superman. So his teenage years growing up. And, like, if there's 10 seasons, like, 22, 23 episodes every season, you can really binge it. You can binge it. It's a great. My favorite show of all time. [01:09:01] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:09:01] Speaker B: So I'm a habitual watcher of that. I watch that about every six months because it comes a little fuzzy, and I watch it again. You know how it goes. And then I say the biggest thing that's weird about me. I can solve Rubik's Cube. Like, I'm a Rubik's Cube solver. [01:09:16] Speaker A: Like, how quick? [01:09:17] Speaker B: Like, under a minute. [01:09:18] Speaker A: No way. [01:09:18] Speaker B: I swear. My best. My best time was, like. I think, like, 49 seconds. But, like, I just do fun. Like, just every now and then. [01:09:27] Speaker A: So how'd you get good at it? [01:09:28] Speaker B: I literally, like, was bored one day, and I went on YouTube and I searched up how to solve a Rubik's Cube, and then they gave me, like, the little algorithm to solve it. Like, you know, everyone has their algorithms and stuff. So I wrote down a little cue card. Like, I wrote down the algorithms. It's, like, left to L1 or whatever. And then I just memorized the algorithm and I just worked on it. And then now it's like, I don't even know the algorithm. It's just my hands. It's just, like, muscle memory now. So it's just like, every time I have some free time where I'm just bored, I just mess around with that. It's probably the weirdest thing. [01:09:59] Speaker A: No, that's why you might be Guinness. From a record, man. You might. [01:10:01] Speaker B: You might notice people saw that in, like, two seconds. [01:10:04] Speaker A: No way. [01:10:04] Speaker B: I promise, like, literally 40. [01:10:06] Speaker A: Sounds crazy to me. [01:10:08] Speaker B: Nah, I need that for, like, I. [01:10:09] Speaker A: Spent a whole day on that. [01:10:10] Speaker B: Nah, I'm a little rusty right now. I probably get a minute. But people. People are out there, like, literally, like, under five seconds. Like, crazy. I don't know how they do it. [01:10:18] Speaker A: You said Smallville. What are the Shows. [01:10:20] Speaker B: Smallville. Suits. [01:10:25] Speaker A: Suits. I'll be honest. I want to hit the season four. I was kind of like, this ain't. This ain't for me no more. This is kind of. [01:10:31] Speaker B: So you stopped. [01:10:32] Speaker A: I stopped watching. I kind of got bored of it, man. [01:10:34] Speaker B: Other stuff to watch, man. Tapping again. [01:10:38] Speaker A: Once. Once he started, like, once it got. It was like he left. What's his name? I forget his name. Yeah, he left. Went to a next spot. I was like, you know what? This is kind of go wash suits of everyone. The first two, three seasons. Iconic. [01:10:48] Speaker B: But after that, yeah, suits for sure. What else? Prison Break. I watched Prison Break Sleeper, yo. Vampire Diaries Sleeper. [01:10:58] Speaker A: No way. [01:10:58] Speaker B: Yes. Not like I tapped in during COVID No way. Because I was bored. And it was. It's good. [01:11:04] Speaker A: You did not. I did not see you as a vampire. [01:11:06] Speaker B: Me neither. But shoot, it was. It was solid, I'll say that. A lot of podcasts, yo. [01:11:13] Speaker A: Like, a lot of like. [01:11:14] Speaker B: Like this podcast. Yeah. [01:11:16] Speaker A: Tap in. [01:11:16] Speaker B: Hey, come on. But like, a lot of podcasts, like, like, basketball wise. Yeah. Mind the game is big. PG, obviously. PG 13, obviously. [01:11:25] Speaker A: You guys listen to this first before you listen. [01:11:27] Speaker B: Yeah, no, of course, of course. The Canadian basketball Show. [01:11:29] Speaker A: Of course. [01:11:29] Speaker B: Come on. But now those are. Those are always fun just to pick the brains of just NBA greats. So. No, that's. That's really what I do, honestly. And chill with my friends. [01:11:37] Speaker A: Yeah. Okay. I can't thank you enough for coming from Milton, downtown Toronto, man. [01:11:42] Speaker B: Yes. [01:11:42] Speaker A: What you think of the. [01:11:43] Speaker B: There's a dope set, like I told you. Like, this is a sick setup that you got posters and stuff. You got Kobe on the table, Jordan. [01:11:49] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:11:49] Speaker B: Shay. [01:11:50] Speaker A: We won't talk about Kobe as. [01:11:51] Speaker B: Yeah, it's okay. I don't know about your table. Okay. [01:11:53] Speaker A: You know, I'll end it. I'll tell you where I have Kobe. All right, all right. [01:11:56] Speaker B: Don't make me. [01:11:57] Speaker A: I just want to say thank you so much for coming on this podcast. Kobe Bryant is outside my top 10. [01:12:02] Speaker B: See, like, we can't do that. We can't do this. [01:12:05] Speaker A: I can't thank you enough, though, my guy. It's been a pleasure. Always catching up with you. We're gonna be following you at St. Louis. We'll probably talk about the Kobe stuff right after this podcast. I know I'm getting a lot of messages about Kobe, but. Yeah, outside my top 10. I think it's a lot of revisionist history, to be hon honest with him. It's a lot. What he's done, he's accomplished. I feel like, you know, I have to say, Chloe's not in my top 10. [01:12:24] Speaker B: Look at him, though. Like, he's the. Like, he's the goat. Like Kobe the goat. Like, we got. [01:12:28] Speaker A: We got another magazine. [01:12:30] Speaker B: I mean, he's a goat. You know, there can't be two goats. [01:12:32] Speaker A: Ah, we could do generations, but I. [01:12:34] Speaker B: Still don't think it go too. [01:12:35] Speaker A: Yeah, his generation. [01:12:37] Speaker B: Yeah. [01:12:38] Speaker A: Who do you think is best player in the world? [01:12:40] Speaker B: Okay. I'm kind of the best player in the world. Okay. [01:12:43] Speaker A: Canadian. I'll see. [01:12:44] Speaker B: I'm coming, though. So. Yeah. [01:12:45] Speaker A: Coming up next, tap in. If you don't know, watch the season at St. Louis, Man. One of my favorite players coming up. Sharpshooter is gonna. I feel like a guy that a lot of people are gonna be knowing about in the next few years. So tap in with him early. And you heard it here from the Kane Basketball Show. First, it's been your boy Lee Ben Osman. Follow the podcast. Give us a. Like, give us a rating. Tap in with us. This has been the Canadian basketball show. You go to spot for the latest news, stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I got Ishan Sharma, Lee band. We out. [01:13:16] Speaker B: Yo, appreciate you.