Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
Welcome to the Canadian Basketball show. Your go to spot for the latest news stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I'm your host Lee Ban Osmond. We're doing our second mailbag episode answering your questions on Canadian basketball you submitted on Instagram. If you missed out, what are you doing? Go follow us on Instagram. That's where we do all the call outs. On the second half of the show, we're gonna be playing a game with one of the interns asking them questions on Canadian basketball trivia, putting their knowledge to the test and seeing how much they know and also get to know them a bit.
I don't know if we have a prize yet for this, but we can figure something out. Maybe we put all the interns through a little quiz and then tally up the scores and then whoever gets it right, end of the series we, we give them something, you know, we do something like that. We'll come up with ideas. If you guys have any suggestions, DM us on IG at the Canadian Basketball show, of course, always leave us a five star rating while you're at it. Let's get into these questions. The first question I got from a few people asking me to give my thoughts on Miles Saller was snubbed for the McDonald's All American game. How crazy is that? That was a few of the people asking me my thoughts on that. Honestly, pretty crazy.
ESPN has him like ranked, I think 21 on their 20, 26 class.
So like, how the hell does he not make it?
And he's leading one of the top high school programs in North America. Pretty dumb decision if you ask me. Miles is headed to West Virginia. Is he top prospect in his class? Makes me wonder if there's some Canadian bias because I wonder if a guy from, let's say, New York was doing what he did, he'd probably be unanimously selected. Am I right? I also wonder like, what's the process?
How is it decided? I've seen some people say they need to completely overhaul the selection process.
Some of the top high school scouts that I know, that I follow, that I see at the gym sometimes watching the talent, aren't even on the committee.
Like what?
It seems like an outdated process and Miles was affected by that.
So it's tough. Hopefully some change happens with the process. The last time a Canadian was selected on the men's side for the McDonald's All American game, I believe was Caleb Houston who ended up going to Michigan. So it might be like five years or so. It's been a while. Obviously there was going to be some other guys that were going to play in the game that are obviously elected to leave high school a bit early, but like I said, pretty outdated process. Miles should be good though, I think when I think about the All American game, I just look at a guy like Con Knippel. He wasn't even selected and he's like second in rookie voting.
So like it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, if we're being honest, it's a cool honor when you think of the names that have made it. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter.
Not even focus on just the men's. On the women's side, Savvy swords was named McDonald's All American. She's dealt with a lot of injuries over her high school career, but was named to the game following in the footsteps of her older sister, Silas Swords, who's been doing her thing at Michigan. So congrats to her. I feel like I don't know how many years in a row we've had a woman make it. I got McKier made it, obviously.
Denia Prowl was obviously there last year too with her Silas Swords. I'm forgetting names, but yeah, cool. Cool to see the woman just dominating, especially making the McDonald's All American Games. So congrats to Savvy.
Next question here. Are you headed to All Star Weekend? I know you've mentioned it before, I can confirm that I am. I'm working on a few stories. I'm excited, probably most excited to go to Basketball Without Borders, to be honest with you. It's not released officially and I'm recording this on the weekend. But the names that I was told that will be representing Canada and obviously I think this might be subject to change. It might be more, especially if some people back out last minute, that Lis Robinson will be representing Canada from Bella Vista. Paul Osir will also be representing Canada of Bella Vista. And Steven Ilitch, hopefully I'm pronouncing that right. He will also be representing Canada.
So three. Three guys, good group.
Seeing if I can record maybe something at Basketball Without Borders. Maybe do a podcast on their experience, give you my insight in watching them, how they did all that kind of stuff. And I'll be honest, I'm not really looking forward to the All Star events. All Star is always trash. Let's be real. It's been bad for years. Hopefully this year is different, but I doubt it. Grind Session is also happening out in LA at the same time. I think they purposely made sure it was going to happen at All Star Weekend in la, so I might check that out if I'm not too busy.
So we'll see. If you have any good chicken parm recommendations in la.
Let me know. Let me know. I'm out there. Any good food spots, let me know. If you hit me. I'm trying to hit them all, especially chicken parm. So hit me. I'll be out there. I'm flying out on Thursday evening, I believe, so going to be out there for the weekend. So. Yeah. Next question.
Do you think Dillon Brooks deserved to be an NBA All Star?
It's tough.
I'm obviously a bit biased because I'm Canadian. I probably would have gave him the nod.
He's literally, when you think about it, a culture shifter. It's funny to see how the Memphis Grizzlies have fallen apart now heading into a rebuild. He gets to Houston, who was still up and coming trying to win games, and he instills this tough mindset.
And I think nobody thought Phoenix would be competitive this year, but that's because of him. So shout out to Dillon Brooks. Shout out to his trainer, David Tyndale. The work doesn't go unnoticed. I think he's averaging, like, 21 points, almost four rebounds, two assists. You'd wish that they'd expand the All Star Game even more. I've heard a lot of sentiment from people I've chatted with about why don't they just expand the rosters even more? It's been the same for years, but players across the league, even those, those that hate Dylan Brooks, they. They notice. And it's funny to see, like, the fan narrative kind of switch on him from a few years ago when he was going up against LeBron, you know? So I think Dylan Brooks is stamped in terms of his respect level across the league, whether you love him or not. Especially with fans who are now seeing, like, he wasn't the problem in Memphis, you know, So I remember we had Mike George on. He was talking about that, so. And how they kind of threw him under the bus. Right? So, yeah, go listen to that podcast. We did that. What, back in August. So go check that out. But really informative. You just hear about Dylan Brooks character and all that kind of stuff. So I also wish, like, Shay, who's going to be out, out of All Star with a abdominal strain, that he could have chose, like, who was his replacement. I definitely think, like, Shangoon deserved to be an All Star, but it would have been cool to see Shay, like, be like, let me pick you know, I don't know. They don't do that. Obviously Adam Silver picks, you know, so it's also tough. Shay's out. We would have had two Canadians playing in the NBA All Star game for the first time ever with Jamal Murray.
So kind of sad. But yeah, Dylan Brooks having a great year. Having a great year, borderline All Star. And I just expect him to keep leveling up, you know, so All Star or not, Dylan Brooks is stamped.
Next question.
What are your thoughts on Ben Matheran and Leonard Miller getting traded?
I'll start with Ben.
I believe for some time now the writing was on the wall for Ben. I'm surprised there wasn't much whispers or like loud, like Indiana did a very quiet job in terms of dealing him. I think the trade worked best for both sides. I think especially when they didn't extend him.
That was probably the biggest sign.
Guys like Shaden Sharp got extended this summer. And especially in that draft class, a lot of guys, if you have your contract up, you're going to get extended before the season starts. They didn't extend him, so they're going to go into the summer figuring out what, what to do with him next.
So to me, that was the biggest sign.
And I don't know, I'll be honest too. Not even just this year. I was hearing whispers prior to that. Ben Matheran wasn't going to be a long term fit in Indiana and I think their style of play just didn't really mesh with his.
His style of play is not like Indiana just came to play the Raptors, like it's not suited for Rick Carlisle's play, you know, and like this run up the court, move the ball hand in Tyrese Halliburton's hand.
Pascal Siakam's a star and he probably also wanted a bigger role, right? He wants the ball in his hands. Now he gets to have the ball in his hands and we could get to see how that looks. He's still just 23 years old.
Like when you think of that, when you think about that, that's pretty crazy. He's only 23 years old, has been averaging close to 18 points, five rebounds. He does. And I'll be honest, my issue at times with Ben Matheren as a player, I think a lot of people too, it might be the tunnel vision as a score, which some love, some hate.
But I'll be honest, I was shocked he didn't get moved this summer. I think with Tyrese going out, they were kind of like, let's wait it out and See, especially with the playoff run that they had making to the NBA Finals, I don't think the Pacers wanted to like, switch up a lot of things.
But then when you have a chance to get Zubock, it's like, why not? You know? So, yeah, excited to see Ben Mathenau in a Clippers jersey and how that looks so excited for that. Leonard Miller, another Canadian guy that got traded, I'll be honest, I'm just happy he's out of cold. Minnesota, he didn't have much of an opportunity, sadly. Now in Chicago, you'd think he'd get time, especially on a team that is probably pivoting towards a tank. You never know what Chicago, the Chicago, just like they play this game of should we tank? Should we not tank? And then they end up with the 13th pick every year. So it's like, what is Chicago doing? To be honest with you, but that was one of my New Year's resolutions, to be honest. Leonard Miller getting a new home. And we got it. You know, Jamal Murray was my second New Year's resolution, him being an All Star.
I can say this though, that one of my wish lists is probably not going to happen, which is kind of sad because I was just at the game. What Crestwood versus Royal Crown. And officiating is at his all time worse in Canada. I'll be honest with you.
Same refs I be seeing and I'm like, I don't believe that's going to ever change. The officiating culture just needs to. Needs a whole overhaul because it's just like a lot of ego. That's what I see, to be honest. Especially if you make a call wrong. Should be no ego. There should be no technicals. There's a video that I seen of a guy on Crestwood hitting the three, celebrating with like a three side to the crowd and he got a technical.
Like, I couldn't believe it with my own eyes.
Like, this is what we're doing.
Like, we can't have fun playing basketball.
When I was a Hooper, I don't want to be one of those guys. This is back in my day, but, man, I used to talk a lot of trash. Even if I was good, if I was bad, having a good game or not, I won't be talking a lot of trash in today's game. That's not even allowed. So it's kind of sad. But yeah, just wanted to get my thoughts on. I'm always complaining about the fishing in Canada, but it is what it is.
Next question here. Are you shocked RJ Barrett wasn't traded at the trade deadline.
Not really.
Once the Sabonis talks with Sacramento stopped, I assumed he wasn't going anywhere.
Makes sense, honestly, to not get rid of him at this point because you want to kind of just give this Raptors roster a chance to just like. Even though, even if they're like a first round exit, just give them a chance to go and see what this team does. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's not a rush to trade guys into what they're calling what year two of the rebuild.
So I don't know.
Especially when you're hearing about the asking price for some bonuses, probably like more than one first round pick. I don't think they. I don't think the Raptors are definitely. I definitely think they're not interested in that kind of stuff, especially adding that much. They have all. They control all their first round picks. So it's like, why are you adding that? Messing up the culture of a team that's what, fourth in Eastern Conference have been playing pretty well, even though we know there's flaws on this team.
Let RJ run. I do think this summer he might get moved, to be honest with you, he's eligible for a contract extension, so they got to make a decision on him soon.
And it seems, especially with all the rumors that he's the most likely to get moved on this Raptors roster.
And I do wish for a guy that's from Mississauga who bleeds the city, that I wish the Raptors kind of valued him a bit more, especially him coming as what many executives called him, a toxic asset. I think he revamped his image completely, you know what I'm saying?
[00:14:03] Speaker B: So.
[00:14:05] Speaker A: But I also kind of look at it twofolds because you look at the Raptors roster, Yakoperto's untradable. His contract doesn't look good. Emmanuel Quickley also not tradable. His contract doesn't look good.
So if you have to move off of anybody, you're likely going to move off of RJ Barrett because he has the most friendly deal to get off of.
So, yeah, just watch out for the summer RJ Barrett, and we'll see what happens with him if he's with the Raptors long term. Because I don't think the Raptors want to go and have the same situation where they had Pascal in his final year and then all the rumors, all that kind of stuff. I think they would probably prefer to get things done in the summer. OG like, it was a, A Lot of a show, especially in that year.
I forgot what year exactly it was. But when, when everyone got treated when they went out to Detroit and OG you bringing Dennis Schroeder, like it was just a complete shit show, to be honest with you. So I do think if anything RJ Barrett gets moved probably this summer. So stay tuned in for that kind of stuff. So next question here, probably an interesting one and I probably don't have a complete answer to this, but someone sent this to me and I said I'm going to get to this when we do. A mailbag said maybe a few weeks ago and it said in regards to AAU and traveling teams, are Canadians and newcomer families safe to Travel stateside in 2026?
I assume, I assume it's safe.
From my understanding, as long as you give border agents when you get ready to get on your flight at return date on when you're coming back to Canada, this shouldn't be an issue.
I've seen some people plan a trip to the US but not have a day that they will return. I think that's the main issue.
But also don't take my word as fact. What's going on south of the border is pretty crazy. So do what you think is best for you and keep your family safe. You can still play a basketball in Canada. Obviously it isn't the same, especially in, in the summer going up against top teams in the States. But you're not playing top talent. But it's best to be safe, right?
You don't want to have a border issue and. But I've never also heard of a player having a border issue. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong where I've not heard of a lot of players being sent back and be like, you can't play because of this. X, Y and Z. You know, maybe I'm wrong, but do what's best for you.
But I do think in this scenario if you're just going for like a week or a few weeks because your team is traveling to XYZ tournament, you should be good.
Just make sure you have a planned date to return to Canada.
And most times they're pretty chill. That's usually happens for me when I go travel for, for stories and stuff. I just, it's pretty like, what's the word? The track of my whole location and everything. Like that's pretty crazy. But that stuff, they have to know. So yeah, yeah, but do what's best for you and the family. Don't take my word as gossip. So let's get to the next question, who are your favorite high school players to watch, both men and women?
I got four players on the men's side that I kind of enjoy watching right now.
I'll say we mentioned Miles out at the top.
Mil is probably like the player that I've watched consistently live. I wasn't in the gym when, like, Shay, those guys are blowing up in the AAU scene, that kind of stuff. But I've been following AAU games pretty consistently the last two years and following a lot of these guys journey. So I prefer to watch players that, you know, I kind of wish I was. I wish I was quick as miles, you know, I wish I could throw lobs and that kind of stuff and break down a defense. Isaiah Hamilton. I wish I could dunk like him.
You know, I'm trying to also just enjoy watching him as much because who knows, he could be going to the States soon, right? So you got to enjoy him while you can.
Another guy. I'm kind of biased. Yusuf Ahmed. That's my young boy. King Heights, they need to start winning games because it's looking shaky. But his size, his feel for the game, his iq, you can't teach that kind of stuff.
And he's one of the more unique talents.
I'm still shocked his recruitment hasn't, like, just taken off.
But college coaches, hit me. If you listen to this, hit me. You want to learn more? Y' all missing out. Last player, too, on the men's side. Dang angor.
The way he just plays with so much energy.
I enjoy that. Like, he's kind of like, how the trash talking. That kind of stuff I really enjoy.
So Dangan Gore, another player on the women's side, I. I'll be honest. I need to go to a lot more women's high school games in Canada.
Most stuff doesn't happen downtown, like, I've complained about multiple times. Avery at Crestwood is a name that I've heard a lot from. I need to go watch her play more.
I usually watch them play at the Hoop Summit, to be honest with you. So I'm hoping that will be the time that I get to know these players. All that kind of stuff. Savvy, I think. I watched a few years back at the Hoop Summit, I believe, but I haven't watched her in a few years. She's obviously been with the national team. I've seen her train, that kind of stuff. But I gotta watch more, honestly, women's high school basketball, so that's kind of what I need to tap into. So Let me know, man, if there's games.
We gotta make it more accessible for us downtown people, to be honest with you. And this kind of leads into similar question, kind of, but who are the next gen high school female players to look out for?
I'll give you from people that I've spoken to. Savvy Swords obviously committed to Kentucky. Probably the highest ranked Canadian playing at Lehigh. She's a name you should watch out for. Avery, like I just mentioned at Crestwood, Gabby at Crestwood, she's like six' six and you talk to people close to her, apparently she might be the next best thing, a name to watch out for. And she's like six six. I don't know if we had anybody that tall on the woman's side. Six, six.
Damn, man.
It's gonna be special, especially in the next few years, man. Talent level coming out of Canada. I'm excited for Emilia, so I want to shout out to her playing at Fort Erie. Those are the names off the top of my head from just speaking to people and just knowing. I know Rural Crown also has some players, but like I said, I need to go watch out. I need to go watch more games on the high school scene. It's either the scheduling that ruins me or, you know, like I said, being downtown.
So yeah, next question here.
Best youth leagues ranking in Canada.
I'll be honest with you, I'm not the person to ask this question to the only leagues I really know of. I don't know if these are like youth leagues, but CYBL is one I know of. Obl, Ontario Basketball League. I know that exists, obviously. I don't know if you count these as like youth leagues, but the top leagues in Canada for youth, I feel like like the prep school leagues are npa, ospa. Those are the main ones, of course, but I don't really follow any other leagues. I just kind of wait obviously till I'm not watching kids when they're in grade eight, seven, that kind of stuff. Like that's not my coverage. So I usually watch them at the end of their high school career and that kind of stuff. So I would tap into my guy Michael Torres at on point. He's in the gym more than anyone. Every basketball game I go to, he's there and he follows so many leagues across the city. I want to give him his flowers. I'd reach out to him. He'd probably be able to give you a way better answer than me and give you like an in depth breakdown probably on each of these youth leagues that he knows of. So, yeah, I'd probably be lying to you if I sat here and told you. I know as much. So go tap in with Michael. I think his IG is like, Michael Torres 03. Go tap in with Michael. He'll give you all the details on that.
Next question here.
What do you think about Canada's group for the FIBA U17 World Cup? I think this was referring to the men's Let me just break down the group Canada got and then let me just break down the whole draw. In total, Group A is Italy, usa, France, Japan.
Group B is Canada, Lithuania, China, Cameroon. Group D is New Zealand, Slovenia, Puerto Rico and Turkey. And Group D is Venezuela, Australia, Serbia and the Ivory Coast.
I think just looking at all these groups, I would say Group C is the easiest, I'd assume for Canada.
That look like, thank God they're not in Group A. Like, that looks like the Group of Death. You would say France and Italy. I'd be annoyed as hell if I was in that group because we know USA is getting out, but it's tough. It's tough to figure out the rest. I would say, like, Lithuania is probably Canada's toughest matchup, but I think whichever team has the most size probably is going to give Canada its worst issues.
So we'll see. I'm hoping to get my guy Alec, NBA draft point on the podcast to talk about and break down some of these groups, some of the players to watch out for in Canada's chances.
And also Alec made a ID form for Canadian prospects looking to get on the radar of his rankings.
He does, obviously international rankings. So if you're a player or you know of a young talent that needs or not needs but wants to be ranked, honestly, I don't think this stuff really matters. Alec will probably tell you that too.
But it's good for him to kind of track some of the next wave of talent because I think he does a really good job. So he's looking to track a lot of talent coming out of Canada. So watch all the film, all that kind of stuff so he gets it right when he releases these rankings. So I'm gonna leave the form, the ID form in the description below for the podcast. So go check it out, Go fill it out if you're a young talent coming up and want to get your film out there. Because sometimes it's tough. Like, I'm talking about my guy, Yusuf Afman. Like, he didn't really blow up until this past year. Like, why is that? You know, it's still. There's Still a gap in terms of talent id. I still think there's so many good scouts in the city, but there's still a gap, you know. So as much resources we can put towards it, the better, you know.
And next question here.
How can Canada basketball work on defense, especially in full court press that USA team applies? I think this question meant like, how can Canada handle the full court press? USA applies usually to everybody in these FIBA tournaments. And from what I do know, they spend a lot of time, a lot of time, even though sometimes it doesn't look like it when the games begin in training camp, just like preparing for or how to break the press, maybe they should practice it even more. But you can't really create a situation too to like. You can't simulate how USA Basketball will play their press because your size, your length is insane. That's why they dominate these tournaments all the time, especially at these young ages.
I still don't know what they're feeding these kids in the south that we don't have, but at 15, at 16th, they're already 10 times the size.
But I imagine that won't be as much. I hope so. I hope it won't be as much of an issue with the U17 roster because a lot of the talent, especially the league guards that are going to be leading Canada at the FIBA U17 will be players that have played in the south, that have played south of the border against top talent. So they're used to this kind of stuff. But yeah, it's a cheat code for the US These age group tournaments. Just the way they just play pressure basketball, you know.
So let's get to the next question here. Are you seeing what Will Riley has been doing these last few games? The funny thing is too, I wasn't watching one of these games, but my homie texted me saying, are you seeing what Will Riley's doing? Obviously I've covered him over the years. I tuned him and I was like, God damn, he's been killing it. Insane. Shout out to his team Francis, who also is Shannon Sharp's personal trainer. Dwayne Washington of Uplay, obviously shout out to Will Riley. I followed him closely over the last two years, watching him at the Nike Hoop Summit two years ago, I think.
And what can I say about Will is that I don't know if I've seen a player that loves basketball as much as he does.
From just everyone I talk to, the obsession is kind of scary.
So I'm not really shocked that he's doing what he's doing with The Washington Wizards like the game of basketball, especially for some people. When they get to the league, it turns into a job for him. He just loves to hoop.
And that's what turns players from good to great, right?
Like, I won't be shocked. I'mma call it now.
I won't be shocked if he's an all star soon.
I'm already going out on a limb and saying that in his rookie year.
If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But he's 19, turning 20, and Sky's the limit, especially his creativity with the ball. Like, it's insane. A lot of teams are. Was what drafted 21.
A lot of teams.
A lot of teams are going to regret passing up on him.
Washington really got a steal.
Next question here. Is there going to be a pre March Madness primer for Canadian ballers, male and female? Yes, that's the plan. I'm in the works right now to get some more college players actually on the podcast as the season winds down.
Obviously a lot of them playing in conference play, so it's kind of tough right now. Some more U sports coverage, too, potentially. I know a lot of people loved the Dave the very episode. So we're looking to do more of that, covering just the landscape of the U sports and answering the question how could we better improve the product, you know?
So, yeah, expect a March Madness primer.
Might get Matthew Winnick back on, who previewed some of the players that we should watch out for. And then, yeah, talk about what you should be looking at.
A lot of players doing their thing in college basketball. Right. So definitely, definitely going to do that. Are you going to have more guests from outside the gta? Yes, I will.
Been meaning to do an episode on Alberta basketball. That time will come.
It's obviously easier if I'm being real, to get guests that are in the city because our studio's downtown. And to be honest, we like how we can promote the podcast. Posting videos on ig, but we got some good stuff cooking. I don't want to give out too much, but I'm also gonna be obviously traveling soon, so we'll get some guests from all over.
So. Yeah. Last question from Eric. Eric sent the last, like two questions shout out to Eric, man, he might be our most dedicated listener. I love it. Always showing love, sending in questions, interacting with the pod. You guys got to be more like Eric.
You know, Eric's always tapped in, ready to send in his question. So Eric asked me, what do you think of the Vince Carter and T. Mac podcast after listening to The Eric Smith episode.
That podcast is a definite skip for me.
I haven't listened to it at all, to be honest, but I saw, I think I saw a clip on social media of them talking about how, like, Tracy McGrady believes that they could have won a championship in Toronto if he remained with organization.
I hate, I hate when players do this type of thing. Like, bro, you left.
Honestly, if we keep it a buck, if we keep it real, that was probably the best decision for your career because you blew up after that.
So, like, why go back and say, yo, we would have won a championship. When you decided to leave, you didn't like the city, but now you love the city.
So I don't know a lot of revisionist history. That's what I hate the most with these legends.
And that's not my type of podcast, but that's my two cents. I would rather listen to Zach Low, if I'm being honest with you. These players, every player has a podcast you can go if you want to get. What I think the players are great for is, like, when they share stories about that you never heard of during their career.
Those are stuff I would go for for a player podcast. But when it comes to like, oh, we would have won this, we would have won that, I could care less, to be honest with you, but if y' all listen to it, let me know what you think. I just won't be.
I just won't be.
Those are all the questions from our second mailbag episode. Like I said, if you are listening to this podcast, being like, I didn't see the call out asking for questions. Follow us on ig. That's where you can get involved. But yeah, hit us up on ig. Follow us on, on there. Get involved with the next one at the Canadian Basketball Show. On the second half of the show, you'll get to know one of the interns as I put them to the test on Canadian basketball and their knowledge. This is the Canadian Basketball Show. I'm your host, Lee Ben Oz.
Welcome back to the Canadian Basketball Show. I'm your host, Lee Ben Osman.
On the second half of the show, reporting one of our interns knowledge on Canadian basketball to the test. Welcome to the show. Jonathan. Rene, my brother. How you doing?
[00:32:31] Speaker B: I'm good, I'm good.
[00:32:31] Speaker A: How are you? Good, good, good. Are you ready to be put to the test? What's the preparation been like for you?
[00:32:37] Speaker B: Preparation?
Honestly, we're just winging it here. Just trusting my, my knowledge and trust in, you know, what I've been watching for the past couple years, so. Yeah, we'll see how we do.
[00:32:52] Speaker A: I've seen you at a few basketball events. Thank you for this internship. How's it going so far?
[00:32:58] Speaker B: It's going. It's going amazing. Like, a lot of. A lot of exposure, learning a lot, kind of expanding on, you know, the skills you already have and learning some new skills, so couldn't ask for a better placement.
[00:33:10] Speaker A: You guys hearing that audience?
Come work at the Canadian Basketball show. That's what we do out here. Yes, sir. How would you rate your Canadian basketball knowledge on a scale of 1 to 10 before we get into this?
[00:33:22] Speaker B: 7.25.
[00:33:23] Speaker A: 7.25. Yeah, I know. Like I said, I've seen you at. What was it, the FIBA qualifiers? Yeah, Back in December. Yeah, they're covering that. I know you covered TMU basketball, Ryerson. My alma mater.
[00:33:35] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:33:36] Speaker A: How are they doing? Are they doing good right now?
[00:33:38] Speaker B: They're playing well. The woman's, they're coming for that OUA title. Men's, they're right there, too. Had a crazy stretch of basketball.
Know took had a good win against Otech a couple days ago. Aaron Rooms, buzzer beater, you know, averaging like over 30 or damn near 30 the past six games. So team esports, they're. They're coming up.
[00:34:05] Speaker A: Yeah, I seen interims. The numbers are insane.
[00:34:07] Speaker B: It's crazy.
[00:34:08] Speaker A: You think you're going to do better than our other interns who are also going to be put to the test? Not right now, but in a later episode. Jacques and Ty, you think you're gonna score higher than them?
[00:34:17] Speaker B: You know, shout out to them. Shout out to them. But, you know, time to dominate.
[00:34:21] Speaker A: You know, time to dominate.
[00:34:22] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:34:22] Speaker A: Okay. Let's not waste time. Let's get into it. Let me just tell you how this is gonna work. I'm gonna ask you 10 questions, okay? On Canadian basket. But some of them are multiple choice, some of them are not.
You're gonna have a lifeline twice where you can ask me which of these answers are incorrect. If it's multiple choice, or I can give you a hint or give you an answer straight up for one of the answers.
[00:34:47] Speaker B: Okay. For sure.
[00:34:48] Speaker A: If it's like an answer that or a question that has multiple answers to it. You know what I'm saying?
[00:34:54] Speaker B: Sounds good.
[00:34:55] Speaker A: So are you ready?
[00:34:58] Speaker B: Been ready.
[00:34:59] Speaker A: Let's get it started. The first question here, I don't know how much you know of historical Canadian basketball, but who was the first Canadian player to play in the NBA? This is multiple choice.
[00:35:13] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:35:13] Speaker A: Okay.
A Leo Rollins, B, Hank Bassotti, C, Bob Hubergs, or D, Rick Fox.
[00:35:27] Speaker B: Leo. Leo didn't play NBA basketball.
Sorry, who are the other two?
[00:35:35] Speaker A: So Leo is A, Hank Bassotti is B, Bob Huberg's is C or D, Rick Fox.
[00:35:46] Speaker B: I'm gonna just have to go with Rick Fox, to be honest.
[00:35:51] Speaker A: Rick Fox is your answer. Unfortunately, the answer is incorrect.
The answer is Hank Besati. He was an Italian Canadian National Basketball association player.
I know you're laughing at this. He played back in the late 1940s.
He is the only Canadian to play in both the Major League Basketball, Major League Baseball as a first baseman.
[00:36:19] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:36:19] Speaker A: And also in the NBA.
[00:36:23] Speaker B: So shout out besaddy.
[00:36:24] Speaker A: Shout out besaddy Hank.
[00:36:25] Speaker B: Beside Hank Basadi's.
[00:36:27] Speaker A: Yeah. Crazy Rick Fox, I think after. I don't know who was after, but Leo Rollins played in the 80s. He was drafted in the first round. Rick Fox obviously played for the Lakers.
[00:36:36] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:36:37] Speaker A: And. Yeah, forget that. Let's move on to the next one first. Wipe it. Rick Fox, a legend.
[00:36:44] Speaker B: Yes. Shout out Rick Fox. Shout out Leo routens.
[00:36:47] Speaker A: There's been 10 Canadians that have played for the Toronto Raptors.
[00:36:52] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:36:52] Speaker A: Can you name them all?
[00:36:54] Speaker B: Okay, so we'll go recent.
Chris Boucher.
[00:36:58] Speaker A: Chris Boucher. That's correct.
[00:37:01] Speaker B: Are we throwing in AJ Lawson?
[00:37:05] Speaker A: AJ Lawson is in there. Correct.
[00:37:07] Speaker B: Okay.
We owe Kojo. Corey Joseph.
[00:37:10] Speaker A: Corey Joseph is in there. Correct.
[00:37:12] Speaker B: Anthony Bennett had a little.
[00:37:13] Speaker A: Anthony Bennett had a little stint. He had a stint.
That's number four you got. Correct.
[00:37:22] Speaker B: Why am I blanking here?
[00:37:25] Speaker A: Think of recent, too.
[00:37:27] Speaker B: Is Jonathan Thompson. Is he. Is he Canadian? No, no, no.
Damn.
[00:37:36] Speaker A: It's a big name you're missing.
[00:37:38] Speaker B: I'm missing a big name right now.
[00:37:39] Speaker A: Missing a big name.
[00:37:43] Speaker B: I'm blanking.
Shay Sushi. I said Kojo. I said recent.
[00:37:54] Speaker A: You said recent. And even over the last decade.
[00:38:00] Speaker B: Over the last decade.
[00:38:01] Speaker A: Last decade. Last 15 years.
[00:38:03] Speaker B: Last 15 years. Damn. I'm only 22.
[00:38:06] Speaker A: Only 22.
What's from Scarborough?
[00:38:11] Speaker B: Oh, I'm so. I'm cooked. Kelly Olenek.
[00:38:15] Speaker A: Kelly Olenek.
[00:38:16] Speaker B: Yeah. Kelly.
[00:38:17] Speaker A: Yep. That wasn't the Scarborough guy. I was thinking, though.
[00:38:19] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:38:20] Speaker A: Yo, there's another Scarborough booze. There's another guy from Scarborough.
I'm surprised you haven't got this. You're a Scarborough man.
[00:38:27] Speaker B: I'm a Scar. I'm. I'm a Scarborough man, too.
I'm. I'm going through all the. I'm going through other asses right now. Hold on.
So this roster already finished? This year's roster last year's roster.
[00:38:40] Speaker A: Still missing somebody from this year's roster.
[00:38:44] Speaker B: This year's roster.
[00:38:45] Speaker A: You're gonna hate yourself when you don't think it. When you haven't said his name yet.
[00:38:47] Speaker B: Oh, rj, Bro.
[00:38:49] Speaker A: RJ Barrett. The forgotten guy.
[00:38:53] Speaker B: Hey, man.
[00:38:53] Speaker A: Shout out.
[00:38:54] Speaker B: Rj. He's having crazy years.
[00:38:55] Speaker A: So you have five. Wait, no. You have one, two, three, six names. Six. So you're missing four right now.
Still missing a Scarborough guy.
[00:39:05] Speaker B: I am still missing a Scarborough guy on this year's roster.
[00:39:09] Speaker A: No, no. Scarborough's a long time.
[00:39:12] Speaker B: I don't know if I can. I don't know if I can do. I don't know.
[00:39:15] Speaker A: Is that. Is that your final?
[00:39:16] Speaker B: I think I'm gonna leave it at seven. I.
[00:39:19] Speaker A: At six.
[00:39:20] Speaker B: Six.
[00:39:21] Speaker A: Okay. You got six. Let me tell you. I think you're gonna hit your head when.
[00:39:23] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:39:24] Speaker A: When I say the rest of these names. Yeah. Jamal McGlore. Scarborough.
[00:39:28] Speaker B: Yes. Oh, my God.
The work he's doing with UTSC. Shout out Jamal McGlory.
[00:39:33] Speaker A: Shout out to Jamal McGlory. Next one. Rex still owned Delano Banson.
I know you're hitting your head on that one, too.
Cooked Montreal's Ken Birch.
That's another one.
[00:39:46] Speaker B: Amen.
[00:39:46] Speaker A: A forgotten guy.
[00:39:47] Speaker B: I hope Cam. I hope Cam's knees are.
[00:39:50] Speaker A: I hope so, too.
[00:39:50] Speaker B: Are not calcified anymore.
[00:39:52] Speaker A: I hope he's. He's doing fine.
[00:39:53] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:39:53] Speaker A: And then the last one, I think this probably would have been the toughest.
O', Shea, Brissette.
[00:39:58] Speaker B: I forgot about.
[00:40:01] Speaker A: So those are the ten? Yeah, those are the ten. Don't worry. You got. You got six. Yeah. Six out of ten.
[00:40:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:40:06] Speaker A: We gotta get you on the board, though.
[00:40:08] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:40:09] Speaker A: This one, I feel like, is pretty easy. Who is the only Canadian basketball player to win the Naismith Men's College Player of the Year award?
[00:40:19] Speaker B: Men's College Player of the Year.
[00:40:21] Speaker A: Men's College Player of the Year.
We need to freshen up your knowledge.
[00:40:26] Speaker B: Yeah, I. I'm really lacking right now.
Was it. Was it Jamal?
[00:40:31] Speaker A: No, it was recent, I think. Recent.
[00:40:35] Speaker B: It was not. It was not.
[00:40:36] Speaker A: Shay. No, not Shay. I think last. Last two, three years.
[00:40:42] Speaker B: Last two, three years. Oh, Shady, No.
Damn.
[00:40:47] Speaker A: We gotta educate you young boys.
[00:40:49] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:40:49] Speaker A: Canadian basketball.
[00:40:50] Speaker B: Really lacking.
[00:40:52] Speaker A: Do you want me to give you the answer?
[00:40:56] Speaker B: I'm going to take a. Can I take a hint on this one? Take a hint? Yeah.
[00:40:58] Speaker A: I'll say Purdue.
[00:41:00] Speaker B: Oh, Zach Edie.
[00:41:01] Speaker A: Zach Edie is the answer. So we'll give you that point.
[00:41:04] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:05] Speaker A: It's just slipping your mind. I know how these Go. Sometimes.
Let me get now asking you, which Canadian player. This is the fourth question.
Which Canadian basketball player was not drafted by the team that they currently or that they ended up playing for? Okay.
Andrew Nemhard, Brandon Clark, Jamal Murray, or Ben Mather?
So A, Andrew Nemhard, B, Brandon Clark, C, Jamal Murray or D, Benedict Mather?
[00:41:41] Speaker B: I swear. I swear. Benny was traded on draft night.
[00:41:44] Speaker A: He was not.
The answer is Brandon Clark.
[00:41:50] Speaker B: Brandon Clark.
[00:41:52] Speaker A: Brandon Clark.
Brandon Clark was not drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. Brandon Clark was actually drafted by. Let me double check here. He was drafted by.
He was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder and then immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
[00:42:09] Speaker B: What was that trade package? Who was that?
[00:42:11] Speaker A: Who's he traded for? I know how much it was exactly, but I don't think it was much, to be honest. But yeah, he was traded. Oh, he was traded for the draft rights to Darius Basley and a future second round pick.
[00:42:23] Speaker B: So.
[00:42:24] Speaker A: Brandon Clark.
[00:42:25] Speaker B: Brandon Clark.
[00:42:25] Speaker A: Brandon Clark.
Question number five. Right now you're at one for. For four.
[00:42:32] Speaker B: 104.
[00:42:32] Speaker A: One for four. You gotta. Come on. We got. We gotta te it up.
[00:42:35] Speaker B: We'll tee it up.
[00:42:36] Speaker A: Gotta tee up. Te it up. Which WNBA player won multiple NCAA national championships during their collegiate career?
Aaliyah Edwards?
A, B, Bridget Carlton, C Keaners, or D, Latasha Amahir?
[00:42:59] Speaker B: Who is. Who is B?
[00:43:01] Speaker A: B, was Bridget Carlton I B, B, Bridget Carlton?
[00:43:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:43:06] Speaker A: You are incorrect. The answer is Kia Nurse. UConn. She went back to bag Jonathan. What's going on here?
[00:43:15] Speaker B: Yo, we're.
[00:43:17] Speaker A: We're.
[00:43:17] Speaker B: You know what? It's okay. You know what?
Time to redeem ourselves.
[00:43:20] Speaker A: Time to redeem yourself. Okay, next question here. Sticking to women's basketball. WNBA. Which team Dr. Drafted Aaliyah Edwards in the 2024 WNBA Draft? Was it A, the Los Angeles Sparks, B, the Washington Mystics?
C, Connecticut sun?
Or D, the Minnesota Lynx?
[00:43:46] Speaker B: I believe it was the Suns.
[00:43:52] Speaker A: It was not the Sun.
The team that drafted Aaliyah Edwards was the Washington Mystics.
Ah. Bro, what do you have to say for yourself?
[00:44:05] Speaker B: This is. This is not an accurate representation of my knowledge, but it's okay.
[00:44:12] Speaker A: Now. It gets tougher to be honest with you. All right, all right, sticking on. Wnba.
Who was the first Canadian to play in the wnba? Was it Candace Parker?
Was it Sue Bird?
Was it Kelly Boucher?
Or was it D, Bev Smith?
I'll be honest here. It'd be.
The answer is correct. Yeah. Congratulations. So what is that? 2, 4. 2 for 8, 2 for 7. 2 for 7, 2 for 7.
Okay, let's move on to the next one. Yeah. Keeping on Keanu. Who was the answer previously in terms of who won multiple NCAA championships?
How many teams has Keanu played for in the WNBA? Is it A5, is it B4? Is it C3?
Or is it D2?
[00:45:18] Speaker B: Shout out Keanu. She's doing great on the calls right now.
I believe it.
AA is how many?
[00:45:29] Speaker A: Five.
[00:45:30] Speaker B: Five?
Nah, not five.
I think I'm gonna go with three.
[00:45:36] Speaker A: Three teams. You're saying three.
You second guess yourself. The answer was five. She has played for the New York Liberty, the Phoenix Mercury, the Seattle Storm, the. The Los Angeles Sparks, and now recently with the Chicago Sky. Yeah, Keanu has been traveling.
[00:45:51] Speaker B: She's.
[00:45:52] Speaker A: She's been doing her thing.
[00:45:52] Speaker B: Traveling worldwide.
[00:45:54] Speaker A: Worldwide.
Keeping on that.
How many teams has Kelly Olenek played for in the NBA? Okay, is it A5, is it B6?
Is it C7?
Or is it D8?
[00:46:12] Speaker B: Okay, let me. Let's run through it. So he's with the Jazz right now.
[00:46:17] Speaker A: That's one team he's with.
[00:46:19] Speaker B: He was with the Pels.
[00:46:22] Speaker A: The Pelicans. That's two teams.
[00:46:24] Speaker B: Raps.
[00:46:25] Speaker A: That's three teams.
[00:46:26] Speaker B: Miami.
[00:46:27] Speaker A: That's four.
[00:46:29] Speaker B: Boston.
[00:46:30] Speaker A: That's five teams.
[00:46:35] Speaker B: Oh, are we going to count. Are we going to count him? No. Was he automatically traded to.
Where is he before?
He didn't. Oh, he was with the spurs for a second.
[00:46:50] Speaker A: Correct. So that's six teams you're at right now.
[00:46:52] Speaker B: He's with the Spurs.
Okay, I'm. I'm. I think I'm going to drop it at six.
[00:46:58] Speaker A: You're going to say six?
[00:46:59] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:47:00] Speaker A: The answer is incorrect. He has played for a total of eight. Eight teams. The other two teams you were missing were the Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons.
[00:47:09] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. He was a Piston. Oh, my God, bro. He was a Piston. He was a Piston.
[00:47:16] Speaker A: The next question here.
Wrapping up.
All right. How would you describe your performance so far?
[00:47:24] Speaker B: This is.
This is like giving Kwame Brown on the Lakers.
Um, yeah, this is like, if I don't know, coffin baby versus nuclear bomb.
[00:47:40] Speaker A: But see, this is why I want to have you on the Youngin. We got to educate. Y' all gotta educate the youth on Canadian basketball.
[00:47:47] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:47:47] Speaker A: Historic.
This guy you're well known of. Che Gildas, Alexander. Yeah. Just coming off a championship. How many playoff series has Shea won in his NBA career so far?
[00:48:01] Speaker B: Okay, so just recently, just won what, 1, 2, 3?
So four rounds just won playoff series.
[00:48:14] Speaker A: Series.
[00:48:16] Speaker B: So four. Previous. This. Previous. This past year. Four.
[00:48:19] Speaker A: Four.
[00:48:23] Speaker B: When CP3 was no.
So last year, the year before that.
[00:48:32] Speaker A: What happened the year before that?
Yeah.
[00:48:37] Speaker B: So six.
[00:48:39] Speaker A: No. So the answer. Did I give you multiple choice no on that one?
It's either A, 7, B6, C, 5 or D4.
[00:48:58] Speaker B: Five.
[00:48:59] Speaker A: Correct.
[00:48:59] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:49:00] Speaker A: Five. Total series that he's won, obviously swept.
[00:49:05] Speaker B: Gotta end with a dub, guys.
[00:49:06] Speaker A: Gotta end with a dub. So obviously last year, winning the championship, beat the Memphis Grizzlies, the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, the Indiana Pacers, and then the year prior, the New Orleans Pelicans. Yes. Before getting bounced by the Dallas Mavericks. Y.
How. How. Wait, what's your total score now? Is that three?
[00:49:24] Speaker B: Three.
[00:49:24] Speaker A: Three in total?
[00:49:25] Speaker B: 30%.
[00:49:26] Speaker A: I'm surprised you didn't use a lifeline again. You had another lifeline you didn't want to use?
[00:49:29] Speaker B: Oh, I did have another one you could have. It's okay.
[00:49:32] Speaker A: You know what, how would you rate your performance?
[00:49:36] Speaker B: I didn't use all my resources. So I'm put it. I'm going to put that up so I could have increased my average.
I was right there with some of them. I was way off with a fair amount of them as well. But you know what? Give valiant effort, walk with confidence.
So I can't really beat myself up too much. Gotta hit the books on Canva basketball.
[00:49:59] Speaker A: That was fun. Jonathan, can't thank you enough for jumping on putting yourself through the wringer.
Send us your questions. If you have some trivia that we can do with some of these guys, put them through the test. We got Todd Jacques that we're going to put through it.
[00:50:14] Speaker B: Yes, sir.
[00:50:15] Speaker A: I seen them in the background just trying to figure out the answers and stuff like that too. So they already got.
[00:50:19] Speaker B: They got to studying.
[00:50:20] Speaker A: They already got to studying. They. They have time. Jonathan had no, no chance. He didn't see the questions ahead of time. So three is not bad, but I don't think you're going to win the prize. At the end of the day, I think one of these guys might end up getting more than three, but if not, we need. We need a. Why y' all working for the podcast. We can't get more than two.
[00:50:38] Speaker B: If you.
[00:50:38] Speaker A: If you all collectively can't do that. But at the end of this, I'll make sure you guys know a lot more. That's the goal. That's the goal. Right?
So, yeah, I can't thank you enough. Appreciate y' all tap on with the podcast at the Canadian Basketball Show. Follow us on ig. I'm headed to All Star weekend, so stay tuned for content from there and what the week was like. This has been the Clean Basketball Show. I'm your host, Lee Ben Osman with my guy Jonathan, and we out.
