Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign welcome to the Canadian Basketball show, your go to spot for the latest news stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I'm your host Lee Ben Osman. I'm doing my first ever mailbag episode, something I've been meaning to do for a minute now. Just chat with y', all, answer your questions on Canadian basketball and whatever related subjects. We got a lot of questions sent to us on social media, especially Instagram about bunch of people DM'd me. I really appreciate that if you missed the chance to ask a question. We'll probably do another mailbag soon, so stay tuned for that. Stay locked in on Instagram. That's the best place at the Canadian Basketball show. That's the best way to get in contact. You guys sent in a lot of questions. I don't think I'll get through all of them to be honest with you, but I'm going to try my best. Leave a five star rating in review if you haven't already, share the podcast with a friend. Y' all know what to do, but let's get straight into it. No time wasted.
[00:00:56] First question, which is what were your thoughts on Canada's game against the Bahamas in Toronto? They're alluding to the December 1st game in the first window for the FIBA World cup qualifiers.
[00:01:09] I'll be honest, that game came down to the wire and I thought it was a game they should have won by more. But when you think about it, it's hard to blow out a team back to back. Like Canada took care of business in the Bahamas the first time and that type of game.
[00:01:25] I think the Bahamas are missing guys and they showed a lot of great fight. I think Kai Jones, who I think he was drafted, I don't know if he was drafted but was on Charlotte and then was on the Clippers. He wasn't even attendance and like a bunch of guys in the Bahamas couldn't even make it to the Canada game for whatever reason. I remember going post game and I asked the coach, I'm like, and he, and he said like we're missing guys. And I asked him what was the reasoning. Guys didn't pull up and asked if it was a border issue. He didn't want to answer that question but respect to that. But yeah, I think it should have been a blowout to be honest with you. They're missing guys and you dominate on the home court. I think Canada, I think even themselves thought they should have walked through this team. But it kind of just tells me too the world's catching up. You know, it's Hard, like I said, hard to blow out a team back to back games. Isaiah Mobley, the brother of Evan Moby, he looked good. He looked good. But I think my biggest takeaway from like that game wasn't even the game itself.
[00:02:19] I was like disappointed in the crowd.
[00:02:23] You know, Canada rarely ever has games in the city downtown. Why can't we sell out a game at the Miami Athletic Center? Makes me think of like global jam will ever happen again, even next year.
[00:02:38] It costs way too much money and people don't show up to these games. Like what's wrong with our basketball culture here in Canada? That's what makes me think because like in the US guys will pull up to those games but in Canada I know we don't. I know it wasn't like the name brand guys that were pulling up to play but like there should be more interest. There should be like local clubs, high school teams coming out, getting their teams out there to watch these games. I think Crestwood was out there. But yeah, I was just disappointed in just like the crowd to be honest with you. And I've heard potential games also in the works this summer against Jamaica. Norman Powell on that team could be a big one. Shay might be playing, might be in Hamilton for Shay's homecoming. We'll see. But will people show up? I think obviously for Shay people are going to show up. But like I think I was just disappointed. Just disappointed. Just disappointed in the crowd, disappointed in the energy. And yeah, overall I think it should have been a bigger showcase. You know, getting to watch guys like Kyle Wilter, guys that always show up for Canada help kind of qualify for the FIBA World cup and always showing out, always taking time, traveling like X amount of hours just to come play, you know. So that was kind of like my takeaways from not even just the game itself. They, they took care of business. Two zero. You can't be disappointed, right? The two zero to start the windows. Right. So yeah, that was my takeaways. Let's get to the next question.
[00:04:02] Any news on players coaches available for the FIBA World cup qualifier window? So that's the next windows for Canada?
[00:04:09] Honestly no idea.
[00:04:11] I usually reach out to people to try to figure out like who's playing, what's the staff looking like closer to the date? I'd assume similar players, similar coaches, rarely. I think anything doesn't really change. I don't think can want a lot of turnover for big games like this.
[00:04:27] So I would assume Nate Mitchell's back with the coaching again. I assume Kyle Wilcher is back playing, as long as they're healthy, as long as they're good. I expect the same guys to be back in the mix. But yeah, not too much information yet. Still December, right? So I'll probably find out closer to February, to be honest with you. The next question here we have here is which Canadian in college basketball has surprised you the most?
[00:04:55] I don't know if anyone has surprised me, but there have been people that have maybe impressed me most more than I expected, to be honest with you.
[00:05:07] A lot of guys that I don't want to toot my own horn, but a lot of guys that we had on the podcast have been looking good.
[00:05:12] Have been looking real good. Frank Mitchell, we went out to St. Bonaventure, do the podcast with him. He's averaging a double double over there, man. Elijah Mahi, he's doing his thing helping Lee Santa Clara. Ishan Sharma's playing some great minutes, playing some great minutes with St. Louis. A lot of guys, A lot of guys. But if I had to pick somebody that's like surprised me just like Aiden Holloway I think not surprised me but being able to just be on the Alabama team consistently competing for in that SEC conference and tough schedules that they always have him to step into that role. Obviously they lose. Mark Sears the year prior didn't play recently well against Arizona, but Arizona is probably the best team in college basketball right now. He's averaging like I think 15.6 points, like 4 assists shooting the ball well like his numbers have increased across the board and yeah for small guard like that third year doing his thing at Alabama has a lot of other guys that kind of are all considered like lottery picks on his team. So yeah. Ada Holloway, honestly I don't know if he, if he's a draft pick this year but I would assume that after his fourth year like I've spoken to scouts and he's on the radar. So if not man he's going to be a guy that might be a two way candidate. The size is obviously the biggest issue but the shooting, man, the shooting translates right to the NBA level. So yeah, Aiden Hallway is probably, I want to give a shout out to Xavier Lee too. Like I know he's probably a lot of people are like disappointed at the early start for him but I wasn't expecting like him to just jump off the charts and like be this the same guy he was at Princeton with the ball in his hands. Like if you watched him at Princeton, his style of plays completely different at Florida he's more off ball. He's sometimes on the ball, but he's finding his groove. Like, let me read you his stats that I found on Twitter. From the last four games, he's averaging 16.8 points, 3.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, shooting 37% from three.
[00:07:14] Man, he's. He's in a groove now. He's getting it still early. You know, I think the most important thing for him will be when the conference schedule starts in January and that's when you can actually evaluate him correctly. I. I believe first few games, I kind of just took it with a grain of salt. You watch it, you watch the habits, but he's still doing the right things. It's not like he's not doing the right things. But yeah, I think, I think Xavier, he's getting into a groove, you know, just figuring out the game, it takes time. And yeah, I think people should be patient with that. You shouldn't be too worried about, oh, this guy's not living up till he's not looking exactly like he did in Princeton. I don't think anybody expected him to, you know, so. But yeah, shout out to him. Shout out to his trainer, Philip Usage, my guy. I see him always traveling out to his games, doing his thing. So yeah, Xavier Lee, man, I just want to shout out to him. But yeah, Aiden Holloway, Analyt's probably the guy that, that I think looked probably the best Canadian. I'm trying to think about it, but he's probably looked the best. Frank Mitchell, like I said, also having a great year at St. Bonaventure. But yeah, those are the two guys.
[00:08:18] Next question.
[00:08:19] Do you think a Canadian gets selected in the NBA draft this year?
[00:08:25] I'll be honest with you.
[00:08:27] I recorded a podcast, I think in October, and I had Matthew Winick, who follows college basketball very closely. Both of our answers then was no.
[00:08:37] And still my answer is no. Things could change, though.
[00:08:41] A lot of guys, though, especially the first round, they get drafted based off potential.
[00:08:47] But this might be the first time since Maybe is it 2020 that a Canadian doesn't get drafted.
[00:08:55] And when I speak to like NBA scouts, most Canadian guys that are in their final years, they consider like fringe guys, like G League 2 way guys.
[00:09:07] And honestly like this, this might be the first time, like I've stepped away from like covering like the NBA draft in the last few years that closely because there's not like a surefire guy. So I'm not that heavily invested. I'm still watching a lot of college games, watching these guys, but I've Kind of taken a step back just a little bit. Focused more on maybe high school, a bit more.
[00:09:27] But yeah, it's a lot of fringe guys. But, like, I don't think that's a big issue too, because, like, you watch Ryan Nemhard, like, I wrote about him and his journey, just following him last year, had him on the podcast too, back in what May wrote about him in the Toronto Star. He had a chance. Like, he was a fringe guy.
[00:09:47] And I remember speaking to his family, speaking to him, and he was like, think about it. Second round of that draft, it's late 50s picks, the draft's about to end. Teams are calling him, literally saying, we'll draft you, we'll select you.
[00:10:03] But they were insisting. Don't. They told teams not to draft him because Dallas was literally like on the line on the phone begging for them to come to Dallas. And look how beautiful that situation is for him. Right? You got to think about it. Some guys don't want to get drafted too, at that point because, like, it's. They're not. It's not guaranteed anything. Right? Dallas, though, Kyrie's out for what, X amount of games? I don't know when he's coming back. Maybe later this year. But you look at that situation in Dallas and no offense to dlo, but, like, that's your only guy that you have to play behind. I'm definitely sprinting to Dallas to go try to earn minutes and, and look at what he's done in the last few games. Like, had a breakout game against, I think. What team was it?
[00:10:50] Was it. He played well against okc.
[00:10:53] I don't know if it was the Lakers, but, like, he's had a lot of good games recently. And I think people don't like, realize that when it comes to getting, like, getting drafted, it matters, especially if you're a first round pick. But once you get to the second round, man, bet on yourself. That's literally like what I would tell most people. Like, bet on yourself. Get to a situation that fits you best. And you shouldn't really think about getting. Getting drafted. You should be thinking about best fit.
[00:11:18] Does that team have a plan for me? Like, that matters most. Like, look at Will Riley now. Like, he got drafted in the first round on the 20th range by Washington. They have a plan for him. You can just tell, like, he's now getting minutes. Now for him, he balled out, played well in the G League. I think he had like 36 in the G League.
[00:11:39] And now, like, they prioritize him, like, as A long term future. And I have his stats from his last five games. I was just watching his game against the Indiana Pacers, who they beat by 20 plus. He. He's averaging 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 23.4 minutes in the last five games. For a guy that wasn't getting any minutes to start the season, you know how crazy that is? Like, it's all about fit. That's. That, that's the biggest thing and that's what all these agents try to do. Like I think to me, when you ask me about the second round, the second round does not exist. It's literally just agents deciding where their player goes. And I kind of like that, to be honest. Cause it's like whatever is best for them. That should be the, the agenda. Obviously the first like 30, 35, like that kind of stuff matters. But after that, man, go where you, you need to go to, you know, and try to figure out even first round. You hear about stories about agents trying to make sure their guy lands to a certain team.
[00:12:31] And yeah, that's the game, man. That's the game that you don't really hear about, but it's working. It's working for Ryan Emart. Will Riley is doing his thing in Washington. Perfect fit. So, yeah, yeah, those are the guys that I'm excited for. Just to watch them develop. And yeah, let's get to the next question here. Why didn't the Raptors draft Derek Queen? He's killing it. I'm glad someone asked this question.
[00:12:57] And I'll be honest with you, I. I'm not going to cap. I wasn't the biggest fan of Queen and I until I had.
[00:13:05] Who was it? James Barlow. My guy on the podcast right before we were both at the NBA draft, I had him on and I asked him, like, sell me on Derrick Queen, like you love him. I think he had him in his top five. At one point I was concerned about the shooting because I watched him at the combine. That shot looked like it was broken. But I also thought he could fit well in Darko system. This pass heavy get guys going. Just if you speak to that guy, that guy is probably one of the best personalities to be around with.
[00:13:35] And yeah, he's looking like a top three guy in his class. It might be him. Con Knippel, Cooper Flagg. Yeah. And Derrick Queen, man.
[00:13:43] And you're wondering why didn't the Raptors draft him? The funny thing is I actually, when I went to the draft, I asked him like I did a story for the Toronto Star. And, like, who worked out for the Raptors? Like, asking as much players, like, did you work out for Toronto? What was it like? What are your thoughts on organization?
[00:14:00] Trying to gauge, like, who Toronto had in the system. Because if you know the Raptors, when they bring guys in for a workout, nobody knows about it. They're really good at hiding that kind of stuff.
[00:14:11] But when I chatted with Derrick Queen told me he didn't work out for the Raptors, he spent two days in the city, though, and he got to explore. So he told me. Let me read a quote that included in the story here, but this is what he said when he met with the Raptors. They was telling me Canada is a very diverse. Is very diverse. They were saying they have great food, whatever you're looking for fun activities for someone that has been there for one time. That's what he said.
[00:14:41] And he was looking for Target.
[00:14:44] Instead. They told him about Choppers Drugmar. So that was like a very funny interaction I had with him.
[00:14:50] And I think the biggest question from that is he spent two days in Toronto, but he didn't work out for the team. So, like, what was that about? That was my biggest question. Just like, trying to figure out, like, what happened.
[00:15:03] I honestly don't think Colin Murray Bowles is a bad pick, to be honest with you, too. It's still early as hell. I thought the size for him, the passing, he's still improving. Needs to learn not to foul at times, but yeah. And what New Orleans gave up to get Derrick Queen is kind of crazy. Their 20, 26 draft pick in a loaded class with Darren Peterson, AJ DeBonsa, Cameron Boozer, all these names, like Dairy Queen's good, but, like, is he that good?
[00:15:30] That good? I don't know. I don't know. But yeah, I honestly don't know why the Raptors didn't draft him, but they did have him in the city for two days and he had like a crab cake on an avocado. Like, he was. He was chilling, he was vibing in the city. So they had a chance to pick him, but they went with Calamari Boyos. So, yeah, let's get to the next question here.
[00:15:52] What's been your favorite or who's been your favorite guest you've had on?
[00:15:57] Okay, that's like asking me who my favorite child is.
[00:16:01] But honestly, I've been grateful that I have a lot of good guests.
[00:16:05] I would probably say.
[00:16:08] I would probably say.
[00:16:11] I'd probably say Keyshawn George, to be honest with you, because I just Remember like that first podcast I ever did. Like it's like if you listen to the first podcast I ever did compared to now, completely different person and just like how I talk into the mic. To be honest with you, I probably can't even recognize that person. A lot of nerves. I remember that day, making sure things went perfectly, getting him in on the podcast and. But yeah, shout out to Keyshawn man. Mid season came on. I obviously it worked perfectly because the Raptors are facing the Wizards back to back in the city and yeah, he's been doing his thing, doing his thing in Washington. So. But yeah, I would say Keshan, you're always going to remember your first podcast, right? So yeah, I definitely say Kean, why do you like chicken parm so much and what's your favorite spot in the city? This is probably my favorite question, to be honest with you. I'm so glad somebody at ask this. I might go eat the eat it after this.
[00:17:05] But when I get chicken parm, let's break it down for you. It's Alfredo pasta with chicken parm. The best thing, best combo, best thing you could ever have. I don't think I've eaten like chicken parm without Alfredo in a minute. And if I have, it was disgusting, to be honest with you. Like you can't have chicken parm without white sauce in my opinion. Bellissimos. You've heard me talk about the podcast top tier spot, but inflation, man, they're charging like crazy. I don't know what's going on. I need a discount over there. Like I've said, Joey's is a really good spot. I recommend, but that's like the junk food version of chicken parm. Like very salty. But they're open till late hours. I think they're open till like 2am sometimes. So we're looking for some late night chicken parm. Joey's is a good spot. They open a lot of locations. I go to the one on King street, but a lot of Joey's. A lot of Joey's in my, my rotation, to be honest with you. There's a spot on college called Territoria Taverniti I believe.
[00:18:03] Really, really good.
[00:18:05] That might be the top tier chicken parm. Cheesecake also has some good chicken parm. They got like the little.
[00:18:11] I forgot what it's called. The, the pasta. It's like a hair, hairline. I don't know what type of pasta it is, but very small pasta, really good chicken palm. I can eat that chicken parm a day, two days after, put it in the. In the microwave. And it would taste the same, to be honest with you. Another spot in the East End, Fusili.
[00:18:32] I think that's a really good spot. Sugo also. I. I know a lot of people love sugo, but to me, the sugo is not. Doesn't hit the same because they don't have the Alfredo pasta, But that's another. That's probably one of the staples in the city. Scatterbush is probably the worst chicken parm in the city. If you have scatterbush chicken parm and you enjoy it, something's wrong with you. I'll be honest with you. Something's wrong with you. Scatterbush.
[00:18:56] If it was the last restaurant on this planet Earth, I probably wouldn't go to it.
[00:19:00] I feel like sometimes they might poison me, to be honest.
[00:19:03] I don't want to. I don't want to lawsuit, so I'm not going to continue on about that. But Rizzo's House of Parm in Fort Erie. I've heard so much good things. I want to go check it out. Haven't been. But I'm always in Fort Hurry, and I'm like, why am I not going to the spot? And it's always booked. You, like, you cannot get in. I don't know what. What's going on over there, But Bobby got to call the owner, find somebody that I know that can get in, and. And then go check it out. But shout out to Coach O at Royal Crown. He sent me a recommendation. I think he was just there. He told me about the Barrel restaurant in Fort Erie.
[00:19:35] I don't know what it's about, but the Barrel. Let me search it up right now. The Barrel restaurant.
[00:19:41] Because I go to Fort Erie just for some, you know, basketball tournaments time and time.
[00:19:46] But the barrel restaurant. Okay. 4.7 reviews.
[00:19:51] Not too expensive. $20 to $30. Italian restaurant. I might have to go check the spot out. Looks pretty good. Pizza looks pretty good, but, yeah, might have to go check it out. We'll see.
[00:20:03] Next question here. Who do you want to see coach? The FIBA U18 19 boys team.
[00:20:10] So basically, Canada made a post, I think, this past week for a new head Coach for the FIBA U18 19.
[00:20:19] There will be the Americas, which they compete in this summer, and then the World cup the year after. So basically, you gotta, like, qualify for the World Cup. They usually do every year. So they've always been in the world cup, so shouldn't be a problem.
[00:20:33] I talked to some people, though, just about, like, some of the players potentially. I don't know if people are really that excited. I. I thought they would be just in terms of the talent coming up. But there might not be that much excitement coming up this year. But you'll see. I got to get to know the players more and check them out. But if I was picking a coach, though, for the FIBA U18 19, my coach has to know the players.
[00:21:01] He has to have been in the gym with somebody's players. He has to, like, know their strengths, he has to know their weaknesses, what their best positions might be, all that kind of stuff. Because in training camp, it's not long. The training camps for these, like, tournaments, the Fib Americas, like, they're not long at all. So you don't have time to gel. You don't have time to get to know your personnel. And I think that was probably, maybe, might be the biggest issue that it was last year with Ramona's head coach. To be honest with you.
[00:21:35] Like, you can't have players getting to know the coach for the first time in that setting, which is tough. You know, you got to be worried about what play or set are you going to draw against the U.S. you know, you got to be worried about what actions, what players fit best in which scenario. You know, you can't just get to know guys.
[00:21:54] My biggest question is, will a prep school coach be chosen for this? I don't know.
[00:22:03] I don't know. To be honest with you, there's a lot of politics.
[00:22:06] So that's why I don't necessarily, like, blame Canada basketball, that if they don't choose a prep school coach, because a lot of people in the grassroots scene say they want to see this kind of stuff. But to be honest with you, there's infighting. There's infighting. People don't like each other.
[00:22:22] So if one coach ends up coaching that team, another coach might be like, I'm not sending my player to go play for that. Which I think we gotta like, we gotta dead that. We gotta, like, like, stop that culture within Canadian basketball. Because we don't have many options to choose from. You know, it's getting better, but not like the U.S. you know, so that's my biggest question. Will a prep school coach get an opportunity? If there was a prep school coach, I probably look at Roll Crown's head coach, Michael DiGiorgio.
[00:22:52] That's something I consider. He's coached what CBL has led roll Crown to multiple championships, but that's the guy I would consider, to be honest with you.
[00:23:06] Uni basketball coach. I know they usually do Youth sports coaches often, but I don't know if like I like youth sports coaches that often because it's like they might not even know the personnel that. Well, they might recruit sometime from time to time. But like, I want the people that are in the trenches with these guys. You know what I'm saying? Jamie McNeely, TCU. I might consider him. He was coaching Global Jam this past year. Why not him? I feel like he's been do a head coaching job. He knows a lot of the talent coming up, a lot of the guys he recruits, a lot of the talent that might be a good option. Charles used to be at Fort Erie, NOW's assistant coach at Pacific. He was with the team last year, I believe. Assistant coach with the FIBA United team.
[00:23:50] So those are names I would consider. Jamie McNeely, Michael De Georgio Charles. Those are the coaches I would consider.
[00:23:59] But yeah, let me know if you guys have any other names that I'm. I'm like thinking on top of my head. Tony McIntyre. Well, why not him too? He hasn't. I don't know where he's been. I know he's coaching at Crestwood now, but why not consider him? I know he's coached on the prep school scene for, for a while now. So, yeah, a lot of names, man, there's names, there's names that could, could do it. I think some coaches might not want to do it because the job is also free.
[00:24:25] So they, they can't give up the summer coaching without getting paid. So.
[00:24:30] But yeah, it will be interesting to see who coaches that team, who comes out as a name and yeah, we'll talk about it. Maybe get them on the podcast here. So, yeah, we'll see. What's your starting five for the Olympics? I think this meant for both the women's and men's. The person that sent this question in, so I'll give you my five. I did a podcast recently talking about it. My five is Shea, rj Dylan Brooks, Keshan George, Zach, Edie. On the women's side, I feel like it gets a bit tricky because the women's program is kind of in a phase where there's a lot of talent in college basketball. There's some WNBA talent, but like, merging them both is going to be the tricky part right now.
[00:25:15] Based off of what they have and what the program looks like. I might go with Cheyenne Day Wilson at point guard, Silas Swords at shooting guard, Bridget Carlton at small forward, Aaliyah Edwards at power forward, and then maybe Kayla Alexander, who's been a staple for the program, I'd probably go that 5.
[00:25:36] I'm also thinking Sarah Williams at UConn, she might be in the mix.
[00:25:41] That's a name that I'd be watching for. She was at Global Jam, if I remember correctly. She wasn't playing, but she was sitting on the bench.
[00:25:48] So, yeah, that's a name that I definitely would be watching out for. And this kind of leads on to my. To the next question that we have here is, like, what Canadian girls in uni do you think will make it to the wnba? Sarah Williams is probably the name to watch out for this year at UConn. She was a star at Wisconsin the past year, was averaging. Let me look at the stats here.
[00:26:11] 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
[00:26:16] Insane numbers for her. Obviously not averaging the same exact numbers as last year. She's playing like 14 minutes less at UConn. But that's a loaded UConn team. Probably one of the best teams in college basketball right now. ESPN, I'm looking at it right now. ESPN has her ninth in their 2026 mock draft for the WNBA. They released this back in late November. So, yeah, that's the name I'm watching. She's averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds this season at UConn. But I wanted to do people consider a Canadian. She's from Brooklyn, New York, but she went to high school basketball here in Canada.
[00:26:54] She moved from New York to Toronto, played at Niagara Prep, I believe participated in the 2022 All Canadian Game. So she's kind of. She's kind of Canadian. I think she played also for Canada Elite Under Armour team. So, yeah, Sarah Williams, man, that's the name I would watch for, like, in college basketball right now to make the wnba. Toby Forgate is a name I've heard a lot from WNBA people. They really like her and the size.
[00:27:23] I mean, she has crazy motor rebounds. The ball, well, just has a knack for where the ball is at times. Takes her a bit of time, I feel like, to process things. But the shot is also coming along. Like, I'm looking at her stats now. 15.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, shooting 50% for the field, 36.4 from three.
[00:27:43] She's getting one attempt from three a game, which I think is very important for someone like her.
[00:27:50] And yeah, she obviously went viral as a kid dunking the ball.
[00:27:54] So a lot of people interested in Toby Forney. Those are probably the top two names I'd watch for the next few years. Silas Swords Obviously another one doing her thing at Michigan. Also a name I'd watch out for. I want to shout out Cassandra Prosper. I know she's been dealing with some injuries the past few years. She was supposed to be, like, the next sure fire Canadian WNBA player, but like I said, a lot of injuries derailed her. Putting a pretty. Putting together a pretty good season at Notre Dame this year. So we'll see in conference play how she looks like. So, yeah. Next question here. If you could pick a Canadian player to start for the Tempo in the future, who would it be? The Toronto Tempo. The women's basketball team coming to Toronto, Toby Fournier. They ask Silas Swords, Jasmine Bo, or maybe Aaliyah Edwards.
[00:28:41] Shout out to my guy, Alexander Lee, for the question. Loyal listener. He's always messaging me. I'd probably go, honestly, Toby Fournier.
[00:28:49] Toby is a highlight reel. You're gonna want someone that the fans want to get behind easily. Seeing her dunk pregame, like, imagine the young girls being able to see that at a pregame and seeing a girl dunk, you know, like, that's cool. That's really cool. And her game is, you know, evolving too. It's just not even just that. Right. Like, her touch around the rim is. Is getting there. So Toby Forney is probably, like, someone I would watch out for. Like, I just mentioned someone I'm definitely looking at. And, yeah, she went to Crestwood, won a few championships there, and I watched her at the Nike Hoop Summit, where she dominated against the USA team. So that's some. Someone I would definitely be watching out for.
[00:29:32] Next question here.
[00:29:34] What changes should the women's basketball program, Canada Senior women's basketball program make to grow, like, the men's basketball program?
[00:29:43] Honestly, I don't know if I'll make any changes from the women's basketball program just because, like, if you look at it, they've made the last four Olympics.
[00:29:52] 2012-2016-2020-2024. It took the men's team 24 years just to get back to the Olympics. So if anything, the men's got to take a page out of their book, you know? So my biggest question is, like, for probably the women's basketball program, we're talking about Toby Fournier. She's not on any list for the core group that might be playing in the Olympics. Why is that?
[00:30:18] I think she might be one of the most pivotal players in the future out of Canada. So I think that's the biggest question. Why isn't Toby Fournier involved?
[00:30:26] Something I got to look into more. You know, chat with some people about that. But, yeah, I think that might be my. My. My biggest question for the women's basketball program. And they're also going through, like, a phase where, like I said, a lot of top players are in college basketball. You know, like the key contributors they've had in the past. Nali Achan, who's also retired now. Right. K. Nurse also kind of, you know, slowing down a bit.
[00:30:54] There's this phase where the next generation's coming. How are you going to juggle that? I think that's the biggest question. The way the men's program invested in Shai early on and getting him at the World cup in 2016 when he was still a young guy. I hope the women's national team is doing the same thing. They kind of already did the same thing with Sila at the Olympics. She was the youngest one there. That's an investment. She's playing with the senior team while she's still in high school. Her sister is also doing the same thing. Savvy. So it seems like they are getting ready to pass a torch.
[00:31:26] I would probably just make sure, like, it's clear that you're passing the torch. You know, like, don't make any promises to the older generation, even though they've paved the way, they've helped you qualify. But get ready to pass it on to these college players. Like, this is their team. You got to treat them like that and make sure they feel like it, you know? So next question here.
[00:31:47] When will you get Denim Brown on the show?
[00:31:52] I love this question. Toronto basketball legend Denim Brown. I forget how much points he dropped in a basketball game was 100 plus or something like that in the city. Went to Yukon. The funny thing is I actually chatted with Denim Brown this past summer. I seen him at the Jaden Finch Classic tournament. Told him I wanted him on the podcast. He's down. I exchanged numbers with him. I have his contact.
[00:32:14] I'm trying to figure out the right timing. You know, I think that's a lot of, like, what I try to do with this podcast is make sure we have guests that fit. Kind of like what's going on in the basketball scene and in the city, in college basketball, that kind of stuff. Like, you saw me have a bunch of college players right when the college season started. Trying to MIMIC that, obviously, FIBA, AmeriCup, we had a few players on there, like Kyle Wilcher just came on, you know, during that phase, like EYBL season, I want to have rising prospects on. So I'll get Denim Brown on the podcast soon. I want to try to map up. I usually try to map up, like, episodes a bit in advance, just be prepared. And Denim Brown is. He's on that list, so stay tuned for that. The next question, when is Shea coming on the podcast?
[00:33:03] She's big time. Shane's big time. Like, I don't know. Has she even, like, done a podcast before? Like, that's my biggest question.
[00:33:11] Like, and to get someone like that, it takes, like, you gotta go through, like, six doors just to get access to that guy, to be honest with you. And for me, I usually reach out to people that I either have a relationship. I know someone that has a relationship with them and can get me connected, you know, like I said, we had Keyshawn George. I covered Keyshawn George. Ryan Nemhard was perfect timing because, like, I was at the. The draft combine, you know, and I covered him a bit beforehand, too. So it's like, you know, you just got to figure out if it's possible. To be honest with you, I haven't reached out to chase people, but chase big time. Like, I don't think he'll ever do a podcast like that, you know, unless he's getting paid a bag, you know, type of thing. I ain't got that type of money. But I'm also, like, focused on the next generation to, you know, building that relationship with players coming up so that when these guys do make it to the league, like, they remember this podcast, you know what I'm saying? So, yeah, she's too busy. He's trying to make NBA history right now. He's trying to chase the Warriors 73, 739 record, right? He ain't got time to come on a podcast like this. Maybe one day, maybe one day we'll figure it out, you know, but next question here. Who's your dream podcast guest?
[00:34:28] People might laugh at this, to be honest with you, but I've said this, I think since the start that my dream podcast guest is Anthony Bennett. And I don't mean this as a joke. Like, people might think, oh, it should be Steve Nash, it should be Shay. It should be Jamal Murray. I'm always like, nah, nah, Anthony Bennett. And I don't mean that, like, in a trolling way. Like, I think he has a really interesting story and would make for a great podcast guest because there's so much to cover with his story. What was it like being the first Canadian drafted number one? All this expectation coming out of nowhere, like, he wasn't supposed to go number one from UNLV getting drafted with, like I said, with so much expectations. Right. Like, how did he deal with that in his first part of his career? Right. Only played four seasons, but he's, he's a well known guy. Like, I think he, he went number one and then Wiggins was right after. Right. So I think that's really the thing that I'm thinking about, to be honest with you, is like, I love to get Anthony Bennett doing something that's. He's also doing stuff that's like, outside of basketball that's really interesting. I think he's doing his own clothing stuff. I think he recently played in Taiwan.
[00:35:42] So, yeah, Anthony Bennett. Anybody got some Anthony Bennett connections? Holla at your boy. That's the guy I want the podcast.
[00:35:49] Let's get to this next question here.
[00:35:52] Break down the 2028 boys class.
[00:35:58] I'll be honest, I've been watching a lot of these players. I don't know every name. Like, I won't lie to you, I know the top names. I've watched most of them in person. And I only want to give you my thoughts on people that I've actually watched in person or have watched. Phil bond. And I'm not a scout. I always say this. Don't take my word as gospel, you know what I'm saying? But I do watch a lot of these guys and I think this might be one of the best classes we've seen in a while. Just off of pure talent, pure names and potential.
[00:36:29] You can't start off the 2028 class without talking about Isaiah Hamilton.
[00:36:35] 247 Sports, I believe, ranked him number two in North America in his class.
[00:36:41] Like just the size. He's 6 8. I'm actually doing a story on Isaiah Reese pretty soon. So he told me he's 6 8. The athleticism.
[00:36:51] I think the biggest thing for me is the shooting.
[00:36:54] The fact that he's not just dunking the ball. This guy's literally pulling up in transition. Pull up three.
[00:37:02] And I was at a game recently where he played and I was like, what the hell am I watching?
[00:37:07] And he did his thing at the FIBA U16, right? Made a name for himself and I think that's what made him the top guy, to be honest. Like, the bro is doing video game stuff out there like insane. Go watch the film for that. He led also Canada Elite and Under Armour to a title, U15.
[00:37:26] I think the biggest thing for him is the handle. Trying to figure that out. Sometimes he dribbles with his head down, but that will come over time. You know, just needs a little bit of a bag, you know, just being able to get to his spots more easily. But the, the other stuff that he has are not teachable, you know, and that's what makes him an NBA prospect. But yeah, Isaiah Hamilton, clear cut, number one. I don't think anybody would debate that right now. Isaiah Clark, another guy, he's currently teammates with Isaiah Hamilton at Crestwood. I like him a lot. Has the size, tall, touch around the rim. I think for him he just needs to develop an outside shot. That's the biggest thing. He's a really good rebounder, bruiser type of guy. But yeah, I think the biggest question for him is like Canada I think had him playing like the 4 to 5 at times, the feeble U16, but I just, I don't know what his position is, you know, right now. Like when he gets to college, when he gets maybe to the NBA, what is his size? And that, that's the biggest question. But still tied, right? A lot of guys in Canada, like I think the basing is a shot whether they can develop or not. I think Isaiah Hamilton has that and everybody else in this class still figure that out, right? So yeah, Isaiah Clark, a name to watch for. Another name I really like Liam Mitakaro. I had Wes Brown the Monday Sky Report on this podcast not too long ago. He put me on Liam a few times and he was like you gotta watch this kid. And man, this guy has the way he moves just makes me think he has potential to make it to the league. Just has a good mid range, like has a good in between game. For someone that age, you don't really see that. Has a great feel.
[00:39:11] And he's playing out in Arizona, playing behind top Canadian prospect Miles Saller over there. So like being able to learn from a guy like that who's dominated in the eybl, that kind of stuff is going to be huge for his development. Right. So this might be the best. I don't know, he might be the next best. Alberta, Alberta guy, right? So Leah Medicaro, that's the name that I would watch out for. Probably the guy I think should get more attention in this class.
[00:39:43] That's Tylon Ennis.
[00:39:45] If you know the last name. That is the brother of Tyler Ennis. Syracuse. I didn't even know he had a younger brother until I think it was April. I was at the first EYBL session watching a lot of Canadian guys and my guy Nikki Davis was like, you got to go check out another guy on this court playing on a Houston team, GL3. And I was like, what? Let me, let me go check it out. I go over there and he introduces me to Brandon Ennis, the older brother. And yeah, and then we start watching Tylon and I'm like, where is this brother? Like, where.
[00:40:22] Why don't people know about this guy? Because he's obviously playing out in Houston, but he has like. I don't think I watched him make a play that wasn't the right play. Like, this guy just plays the right way. Every single possession has great feel.
[00:40:36] And once you have that, you're already a college basketball guy. He can shoot the ball, he can play off the ball. He was playing this summer with a more ball, dominant point guard. So he's playing off of him, doing his thing. I think he's going to like Perlin High School, I think in Houston, Texas. So he's playing against top talent and great passer. Probably the most underrated guy in his class. I might put him number two behind Isaiah Hamilton. That's how much I enjoyed watching him. And yeah, he's getting the hops, man. He's getting the hops, man. And that family, the Ennis family, they produce talent. They really produce talent.
[00:41:11] Next guy that would probably talk about here going through a lot of names, to be honest with you. Probably go through two more names that I kind of like.
[00:41:18] Kenyon, St. Louis.
[00:41:20] I got a bias, to be honest.
[00:41:23] Kenyon, his father grew up in sort of my neighborhood, if you know.
[00:41:30] What's that, what's that gym? What's that gym that I'm thinking about?
[00:41:34] Innis, not too far in Regent Park.
[00:41:38] His dad, coach Mack, Kevin Jeffers, if you know him. I remember doing a story on him and Kenyon was in the back of the car just like chilling, crazy. Now he's a top prospect in the class. I'm like, how old am I getting, man? Seeing young kids that I know their pops and now they're potential college players. All this kind of stuff. He already has. Like, he's picked up like seven offers from unlv, Mississippi State. Like he's a guy that recently also went to the states playing at Winston Salem.
[00:42:10] And yeah, his game, great point guard, played FIBA U16 with Canada Basketball. He just had a 36 point game, 8 assist game against really college who might be the best team in Canada. In the grind session for a guy that is in his the second year high school, like insane, insane.
[00:42:31] Kenyon is just evolving. He's getting taller. I think he's like 62 now, but I Have a bias. I always. I gotta mention that up front beforehand. But yeah, Kenyon is a great point guard that I'm watching out for. Jordan Fisher, younger brother of Elijah Fisher.
[00:42:46] He's the guy that also played Fiber U16.
[00:42:51] He also went to the States. I think he's playing in Florida this year.
[00:42:56] My biggest issue with Jordan Fisher, I think at this age, he's just dominating guys, you know, just gets to the rim at will. Kind of like his brother did, you know, in high school, just watching the own Canada, I was like, he has a little bit of tunnel vision. Sometimes the shot isn't there yet. Decision making needs to get better. But I'm. I really like that he went to the States early on. Go figure that stuff out. Um, and yeah, at this age, everything is pretty easy for him, you know.
[00:43:23] So, yeah, I think the biggest thing for him is going to be developing a shot, you know, just like it was for his brother. He has the size. We got to figure out another name. Sebastian Endor. I'm not going to comment on him. He's playing on Mount Vert, but I haven't watched him play in person. But he's another name that I'll just mention that a lot of people rave about. I think he played. He was in Montreal the year prior.
[00:43:43] Played Canada Elite two. But a name to watch for. Sebastian Endora. Hopefully I'm pronouncing that right, playing at Mount Vert. But yeah, still very early. Bad. Like if I. If I didn't name you, if there's a player that, you know, that I haven't named, stay on the lookout for that.
[00:44:01] It's still early. Right. The Canadian system is very different from the U.S. i feel like in the U.S. they track guys very early on.
[00:44:08] We don't do that. We do that. We're getting there. I'll be honest with you. But don't get me wrong, like, Canada is becoming like a spot, but it's still hard to figure out who's the top guy. Until they go and they play US Competition. Right. I think that's the biggest test. Until a lot of these guys go and they play on the national circuits, they're playing against U.S.
[00:44:28] competition consistently.
[00:44:30] That will be the biggest. That will answer the question for us. You know, I think that's the biggest thing for Isaiah Hamilton, right? Isaiah Clark, the rest of these guys that haven't left. So we'll figure out next question here.
[00:44:44] What made. What moment do you think officially made Canada a basketball nation?
[00:44:50] Probably. Honestly, I kind of touched on it a bit. Ago, probably when Anthony Bennett and Wiggins went back to back number one. I think that was a special moment. Like there was buzz building up. You saw Corey Joseph get drafted, Tristan Thompson, Tyler Ennis, like there's this wave of talent, but the fact that you had back to back number one picks, I think that's when everyone realized, you know what Canada's producing talent. You know, like during that time, more and more players coming to the league. We got what like 23 guys this year.
[00:45:18] But I also wonder like, does the outside, outside of Canada, do they perceive Canada as a basketball nation?
[00:45:25] Like the broadcast? I'll be honest with you, TSN still goes to hockey sometimes right away after games. And that still annoys me so makes me think, right, and especially like, like I told you, like I vented about this earlier. Like the fact that the Madam Athletics not filling up for Global Jam, not filling up for the FIBA World cup qualifiers.
[00:45:45] Are we a basketball nation if we can't get people to show up for basketball games in the city?
[00:45:51] I don't know. They'll show up for Shay, but other than that, I don't know. Right, so we gotta see.
[00:45:58] Next question here. This person asked me to only pick a Canadian coach for the senior men's national team that's Canadian for the Olympics and the World Cup.
[00:46:07] My question is, are we counting Gordy Herbert in this because he's Canadian.
[00:46:11] I think honestly I'd probably stick with him. I think he was a no brainer decision just off of what he accomplished in Germany, winning the World cup there and just building that program up. He's established himself, knows the FIBA style. I think the only concern I have with Gordy is probably just how does his message get across to players? You know, how do players respond to his style of coaching?
[00:46:36] And there's no like BS attitude at times. You're right. So like you're gonna need continuity, you're gonna need. He values that kind of stuff. So if guys are half in, half out, like, well that will that work out? You know, I think that's, that's the biggest question. I'll name out some other coaches not to just like dodge the question of like who would I pick? That's a Canadian coach.
[00:46:57] Jamala. He was also in the mix for, for that senior men's national team head coaching job or Raptors assistant coach.
[00:47:05] I think recently he was like considered for the Golden State Valkyries job in the wnba. He was sort of the second option. So yeah, Jama is a guy that I would honestly, I think he's a coach, he's won what, two NBA titles now. I think a guy that I would watch out for other guys, I would have seriously looked at Roy Rana. He's coached a lot of these players. I don't think there's a player that probably in the mix now that he might have not coached. Maybe these young talent, maybe not. But I'm trying to think of some other names, but those are probably like the coaches I would seriously consider. Jama Roy Rana and I think Gordy Herbert's a great decision. Great decision. I have no complaints. But we'll see. We'll see how it works out. Right, so this kind of follows this question right here, follows into the next one.
[00:47:54] What are your expectations out of Gordy Herbert's running at being the head coach?
[00:48:01] Clear cut medals.
[00:48:03] I want medals. I want what he did with Germany. I want the same thing with Canada. And this is the best chance, let's be real for Canada basketball, the men's team to medal. Shay will be at his peak, you know what I'm saying?
[00:48:20] And you have arguably one of the best FIBA coaches, both of them together.
[00:48:26] Shay will be I believe like 28 or something like that by the time the Olympics roll around.
[00:48:32] Honestly, I'll say this, I said last time it will be a failure if they don't medal at the World cup and the Olympics. And I know teams are getting better. Teams are getting better across the world. South Sudan, you got the Jamaicans are recruiting every non guy that's playing for USA Basketball. Scotty Par is in the M mix for that.
[00:48:54] Amen. Thompson's in the mix for that. Norman Powell, like guys that are not playing USA Basketball are going to play for Jamaica. You know, the Bahamas got guys. VJ Edgecomb, Carl Anthony Towns, Eric Gordon, like they got guys, I'm forgetting other guys. But the world's catching up, right? I think that's clear.
[00:49:13] But Canada, this might be the best depth they've had. What do you think about it? USA is not going to be the same. Curry's done, LeBron's done. This is your best chance.
[00:49:24] I'm also expecting like a strong culture of commitment. I think that's the biggest thing. It's also led by Shay, you know, so structure to that continuity for the men's program.
[00:49:35] Sometimes the goalpost was moved in certain things over the last few years. I blame Nick Nurse for that kind of stuff, to be honest with you. Because when he decided to leave, I think to me I would have completely turned the continuity or this core group and like you, you, you signed up for this. I'm, I'm going to look out outside of my, my court because he's the one that, that came in and brought that type of thing, you know, like that's, that was with him. Right. So sometimes I agree with it, sometimes I don't. But yeah, I think this will be a no BS type of team with Cordy Herbert. I think that's what they're doing and if you like it, you're in. If you don't, you're not. You know, I kind of, I, I'll be honest, for, for people that have been tired of guys playing the side on, if they will play, if they're not play, playing it to the last minute, I think this is a, this is a change. They kind of like, you know, so we'll see the next question here.
[00:50:33] What non NBA player do you see as important to Canada outside of cabin? Gilly.
[00:50:40] So my guess is for the World cup, for the Olympics, my biggest thing, Canada needs bigs. Kevin Gel is one of them. Edie just got injured again.
[00:50:51] I'm a bit concerned, to be honest with you because like when you think about Canada's lack of size, it's a huge issue. I think Charles Bediako might be a guy to watch out for the next few years. He's still developing. He obviously was huge. Played at Alabama with Brandon Miller, obviously now playing the G League, that kind of stuff. I think he's going to be huge rim protection wise. I think for Canada outside of the NBA, guys, you're going to look for shooting, you're going to look for rebounding, you're going to look for just size, you know what I'm saying? Tyrese Samuels, I hope he might be in the mix. I think he was playing with the Phoenix Suns G League team. Alp is in the mix. He was playing in the cbl too, this past summer. But yeah, shooting, rim protection, that's the biggest thing. Kyle Wilcher, I had him on the podcast just now just off my conversation with him. It seems like his conversations with upper management with Canada basketball, they value what he can bring in terms of shooting.
[00:51:49] So when you have a guy like Shai, a guy like rj, those guys driving to the rim, getting there, who can provide the outside shooting, the spacing for them, and who understands the FIBA game, who understands the style, I think that's going to be Herbert. Herbert's going to completely change. Like it's not going to be an NBA focused style of play, which I think Canada at times relied on in the Olympics. But the experience that Kyle has playing FIBA I think will be huge. So those are the guys I'll probably watch out for. Kyle Wilcher, Charles Bediako, Tyrese Samuels is the guy I'd love to see the mix, too. But bigs and guys that can shoot the hell out the ball, to be honest with you.
[00:52:30] But yeah, I'll be honest. Seeing Zach get hurt is kind of concerning to me, to be honest with you, because that's what, two injuries now in the last few months and I think he might be out for another month or two weeks, something like that.
[00:52:43] Concerning because he's the only big that you're 100% you need at the Olympics, you know, and I also think we're talking about bigs. These high school guys coming out of Canada might be very important, right. If we might have to rely on those guys if they start making a name for themselves in college basketball and such, you know, if they make it to the league eventually. Right.
[00:53:03] Might be tricky too, because it's going to be the first few years, but we'll see what happens. Still a long way to go to the Olympics, right? So, yeah. Good question though.
[00:53:12] Next question here. What does Canada got to do to medal in 20, 2028? This kind of follows what I just said. They need to figure out the big bad situation. Like it's quite clear who's going to guard Nikola Jokic when the time comes. I don't know. At this point, most people can't guard him anyways. They need Zach Hedy healthy. Like I said, they need commitment. I think that's the biggest thing for Canada to medal in 2028. Like the core guys from the World cup and the Olympics need to return. I think that needs to be without question. That's how you win. Having continuity is a big thing in these, these tournaments. Especially with, like I said, with these small training camp windows, man, you're going to want. I'm going to want to see Shay, I'm going to want to see rj. I'm going to want to see Dylan, I'm going to want to see Nikhil Andrew, Deb hard, maybe Jamal Murray if he's down to play again, right?
[00:54:06] Zach, Edie, and then the rest can figure itself out. Those are the, like, I need to see the core NBA guys be committed. And then you add in sprinkling Keyshawn George, like I said, he just played FIBA America. He's very committed. I spoke to him when Washington came to town to face Toronto. He's like, whatever it is, Canada comes calling, as long as I'm not hurt, as long as it's not affecting anything, NBA wise, I will be there. So Keyshawn George has signed up. Man, that you add that to the court. That's what, eight, nine guys I just mentioned? So continuity, I think that's the biggest thing. But, yeah, those stuff I would look out for for Canada basketball.
[00:54:42] Let's get to the next question here.
[00:54:45] I don't know if this was a troll question, but somebody asked me, can Tristan Thompson be taken seriously? I'm not sure what this is referring to. This might be how he. I think he went after the Raptors last year talking trash on social media. The funny thing is he, quote, tweeted a tweet that I sent out on the Toronto Star sports account, which. Which is very funny.
[00:55:06] Honestly, I've always taken Tristan Thompson seriously. I think he's done, like, he's not playing. Like, don't expect him to play for Canada basketball anytime soon, but I've always taken him seriously. He might be the best big man if we're being real in Canadian basketball history. Like, name me big men that are better in Canada basketball. Like, I'm trying to hear, like, who he probably is. He has a championship, right?
[00:55:27] Like, that guy got paid shout out to LeBron. Even though I think Richard Paul said recently LeBron had nothing to do with that.
[00:55:34] Definitely is the most paid big man.
[00:55:36] And like, every interaction that I've had with Tristan Thompson, locker rooms, that kind of stuff. He's a really good interview, really good with the media. That's what he does now, right? So I wish he played for Canada more in the future. But, you know, the outside stuff, like, you know, the Kardashians, all that kind of stuff, man. Like, I could care less about that kind of stuff. I take him seriously. I think some people don't like his antics and that kind of stuff, but, yeah, I don't comment on what other people do. You know, I don't really care when it comes to basketball, though. That guy.
[00:56:05] That guy. His rebounding ability, man, that's what got him paid, right? He was a top pick. He was what, like, fourth overall?
[00:56:11] This was not really a question, but someone said sort of a statement.
[00:56:16] Canada basketball should support more pro am leagues during the summertime.
[00:56:22] I'll be honest. I think they have to be real with you.
[00:56:27] But every one of their grandmother now has a pro basketball league. Like, we were begging one for one for years, but now I feel like there's five going on at the same time. Like, why can't we schedule or coordinate better? Why do we got to put at the same timing in different parts of the city? You know, why can't we do one at 5pm, have the next one at 7pm in the same location, the next one at 9pm, you know what I'm saying? Like, let's do it all together. You know what I'm saying? But everyone is too busy trying to compete against each other, which honestly, I hate about the city. We can't come together and use our resources, our connections to help each other out. Everybody's got to do their own thing, you know?
[00:57:06] But I think, yeah, Canada basketball has stamped some. They're also too busy competing in competitions. Like, I don't know what you really expect from them to support. Like, they got to finance their own teams. Like, they. They got to pay for travel for you, for the other things. They can't really finance these local stuff that people are doing that takes away from what they're trying to accomplish, right, which is to bring medals. So I kind of enjoy, like I said, I've enjoyed going out to these programs, checking them out, but I just hope everyone stops fighting, you know, in the city, going against each other. I think that makes no sense. Like, the city is so envious of people, which is sad to see, but, man, that's. That's what it is.
[00:57:47] Last question.
[00:57:49] We got in. I don't think I got through most of them, to be honest, but I'm about to hit an hour mark, and I don't want to go too long.
[00:57:55] Which Canadian has most impressed you this NBA season?
[00:58:01] I think it's clear who's impressed me. I don't think anybody like the name I'm about to mention. I think everybody should be saying this name.
[00:58:13] It should be Nikhil Alexander Walker, like, 100%. He's, like, just like, redefined himself. Like, it's hard when you think about it. Trae Young goes out end of October with, like, a sprained mcl, and then he has to come take over. And he jumps from averaging like nine points, 20 points a game. You know how crazy that is? Like, if he's not in the running for most improved player award, I don't know about all star. I think that's a bit of a stretch. I don't know, but I think that's a bit of a stretch. But definitely most improved. But, yeah, what a start for him.
[00:58:50] When you think about it, like, taking a leap in year six, like, you don't really expect that kind of stuff.
[00:58:58] First two, three years, you kind of expect that like slowly inclined. But you. I think most people thought Nikhil's reached his ceiling as a player. You know, he was this guy on Minnesota that would guard the best guards, take the load off of Anthony Edwards, hit the open three occasionally, that kind of stuff. But yeah, he showed, man. And I think this kind of shows to you, like, guys can go and hoop, you know what I'm saying? In the NBA, like, if you give them a bigger role, they. They can go outside of that and be a guy. Like, Nikhil just proved it. And Dylan Brooks, my producer in the back over there, he wanted. Wanted me to mention him.
[00:59:34] I think Dylan Brooks having a great season. Shout out to his trainer, David Tindel. I'm trying to get him on the podcast soon. He's been working with him really closely.
[00:59:42] Dylan Brooks having a. I might consider. I don't know if he's an all star, but I might consider it, to be honest. Just for the antics. Dylan Brooks having a great year, but yeah, just the way he's developed as a player.
[00:59:55] And I love the.
[00:59:57] The change in perception that's going on about Dylan Brooks. Everyone hated this guy when he was a bit in Memphis going up against LeBron, but not everyone loves the guy for some reason, you know, which is kind of funny if you heard me on the podcast before. Like, I've had guys that always rave about Dylan Brooks, you know, Frank Mitchell, like, he loves Dylan Brooks. That's a mentor to him. Like a lot of guys in the Canadian basketball see players coming up, they always shout out Dylan Brooks. Always giving his time, always giving his knowledge, expertise, all that kind of stuff. So shout out to Dylan Brooks, you know, but yeah, I appreciate you guys. I feel like I got to most questions, but not all of them, which is kind of sad.
[01:00:38] We'll probably do one again soon if people really enjoy these type of mailbags. Me just yapping for an hour, I didn't want to go to Sloan, but I kind of want to give you guys, like, my thoughts. Take time to answer each question as best to my ability.
[01:00:56] Yeah, I feel like I haven't talked to y' all in a bit, you know, so I enjoy stuff like this. Just being able to answer questions. DM me if you like these Q and A type things, want it more regularly. I'll make it happen. We'll do that. And yeah, hopefully to the questions I didn't get to, hopefully we'll do one again soon. Get to those questions and yeah, hit me. Hit the show.
[01:01:19] Email us at the Canadian basketball show gmail.com we got interns on the way, which will be really cool soon. You know, we got some interns that will be hired.
[01:01:28] I'll get them probably. I don't know if we'll get them on the podcast, but we'll get them helping out, running stuff behind the scenes. Best way to get in contact with us, Instagram at the Canadian Basketball show. Like I said at the top, leave us a five star rating and review.
[01:01:42] And yeah, I hope you enjoyed this, this yap session for me, but the first ever mailbag episode. I enjoy this very much. And yeah, stay tuned. We got some good episodes coming up soon. And yeah, 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, the Ben Osman and we out.
