Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign
[00:00:04] Speaker B: welcome to the Canadian Basketball show, your go to spot for the latest news stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I'm your host, Lee Ben Osman. I'm joined by somebody that just made history this past year in high school basketball. He was named player of the year in the Nike YBL Scholastic, Led CIA Bella Vista. Prepped to a EYBL Scholastic title in March, I believe, and is just coming off winning the biggest high school championship, the Chipotle national championship. Earning MVP honors, putting up 23 points and nine assists in the final game is West Virginia's newest star point guard and the highest rated recruit in program history, Brampton Zone. Miles Saller, my brother. How you doing?
[00:00:55] Speaker A: I'm good, I'm good. I'm happy to be here.
[00:00:57] Speaker B: Brampton. I don't know, like me saying, Brampton Zone. I don't know if it hits that much.
[00:01:01] Speaker A: It does, it does, yeah, for sure. I mean, I grew up there. I stayed there until I think 12 years old was when I first moved. So it definitely hits for sure.
[00:01:11] Speaker B: How you feeling? Are you not tired? Indiana straight to Portland for the Nike Hoops Summit.
[00:01:15] Speaker A: You know, it's. I feel like it's personally just a mental thing. Like if I tell myself I'm tired, I'm probably gonna be tired, but if I don't, I'm gonna be good. And especially today when we got scrimmages and all that, I can't be tired in front of the scouts. So I just gotta persevere and push through.
[00:01:29] Speaker B: Yeah, we're recording this a few days before the game. We're gonna be releasing this afterwards. I'm excited. Pretty stacked team, looking at the roster. Joined by Paul Asurui as well. Scarborough, guy you played with for years.
What's that feeling like being here? How'd you find out? Tell me about Hoops Summit.
[00:01:46] Speaker A: Yeah, in the call, it was mainly an email. I just got a random email from Nike and then I was like, oh, what's this? Well, Nike emails, you gotta open it. So open the email.
Hoops. I'm an invite. I'm like, oh, this is nice. So I told so Coach Mike, all that, and then fill out my sizes for everything and boom, I'm on the roster.
[00:02:10] Speaker B: What does it mean, like, thinking about the guys that played in this event? A lot of pros.
[00:02:13] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:02:14] Speaker B: I'm thinking about Will Riley. I'm thinking about Jamal Murray.
[00:02:18] Speaker A: Exactly.
[00:02:18] Speaker B: So Andrew Wiggins, what does it mean for you?
[00:02:21] Speaker A: I'm a part of history. I feel like me and Paul feel like we're just trying to represent our country well. So being on a team where history from your country has been, like, it's a big honor and a big blessing. I feel like, personally, like, I'm just following the lineage that those guys have left behind for us.
[00:02:42] Speaker B: Like I said, won the Chipotle national title.
[00:02:44] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: Was it. Was it like a week ago? Less than a week ago?
[00:02:46] Speaker A: About a week ago.
[00:02:47] Speaker B: What's that feeling like? Because I remember you mentioned, like, I want to win Chipotle. This is a goal of mine. I want to win this, this and that, like, maybe a year ago.
[00:02:54] Speaker A: And. And to be honest, like, I didn't have coming into high school, like, that wasn't really my goal. My goal was just to get my name out there because I was unranked. But that first sophomore year, and I went 1 in 12.
[00:03:06] Speaker B: Can we talk about that? 1 in 12 to now, winning Chipotle,
[00:03:10] Speaker A: I went 1 in 12 in that.
In that season two years ago, my sophomore. It was terrible. But in the end, like, you was playing like Trey Johnson, LeBaron Phylon Cooper, Flag, Derek Queen. They're all in the same league. So that, that year was definitely just like, learning experiences for me. Playing against literally NBA draft picks. Every single team, every single game. So now winning a Chipotle national championship, it's like, man, I'm one of those people. Like, that won those championships. I'm one of those people. So again, it's another honor and another blessing stamped.
[00:03:49] Speaker B: You and JVON Tindale going head to head against Mount Vert. What was that like, cousins?
How long have y' all known each other? What was that? And what does it say about the Canadian talent? Two top point guards from Canada playing on the biggest stage in North America.
[00:04:02] Speaker A: I mean, we used to play together. We were on the same team in sixth grade and he was in fifth grade. So I've been knowing them for a long time. Like, it was always. We didn't know we were cousins at first, of course, but, like, then grandparents started talking, and then they find out that, oh, this guy knows this guy, this guy, all that. So, like, what we did find out we were cousins. Oh, we were flexing that, like, every day, no matter who asked, like, cousins. We're already calling each other brothers. So now that we're actually blood related, like, it was definitely an honor. And I wouldn't rather play against anyone else, of course. So since seeing him that he could take his team to the top and I'm taking my team to the top, then it's really a battle out there. For sure.
[00:04:41] Speaker B: Was there a lot of trash talking?
[00:04:43] Speaker A: Nah, I was just pushing him.
I was just trying to grab him because I know what he can do. I know probably more than most what he can actually do on the basketball court. So I don't want him to get hot, especially not against me.
[00:04:56] Speaker B: Was there a moment this season where you thought, hey, we could win Chipotle? We had the pieces because I talked to lyrics. I talked to Paul at Basketball Without Borders. They're like, you guys are going through a little rough patch, but then you're coming out on a high. Winning the. What was the acv?
[00:05:10] Speaker A: Yeah, the advance.
[00:05:11] Speaker B: Yeah, winning that championship. Was there a moment for you where it was like, hey, we could win this all?
[00:05:17] Speaker A: So personally I feel like. So we played Dynamic one like in December and then we ended up losing to Prolific by a lot.
But like we didn't really care about it. We didn't look at it. And I was like, oh yeah, if we're not going to look at this as like a true loss, we're for sure going to be good because we can handle adversity against anyone. So then that's when BCI Bella Vista is now at 9, we're at 8 in the country. So we, we were able to prove ourselves on the biggest stages. And then winning a back to back once we won the first championship, the scholastic championship going into nationals, we knew like we could really do this because we're playing the same team. So it wasn't nothing to us.
[00:05:57] Speaker B: Where does this rank for you? We're talking about Chipotle. Like, is this like the biggest.
[00:06:01] Speaker A: Oh yeah, for sure. The biggest thing I've ever done in my life probably, you know, especially my last seat, my last, my last go around last senior season.
A lot of seniors around the country probably dream of doing winning a national championship or a state championship. But like when you win a national championship and you're really playing against five stars every single game, that one's like, it means def. I feel like it means more than a state championship to me.
[00:06:28] Speaker B: No, for real, what did I mean also doing for the Canadians exactly on the roster. I know you said you don't count Lyrus as a Canadian.
Hey, Lyrus. Shout to him.
He cannot claim he was at the Canada basketball training camp. U18 didn't play balls at the All Canadian game. What was it like doing? Like to me it just shows like the talent level that you could have almost have have these guys. What do you think it shows for you?
[00:06:56] Speaker A: Well, I feel like it's More of a team thing. Like, as. As a team, we came together. We knew exactly what we had to do. And learning about all these guys, because this is my first time playing with most of them, so learning where their spots, where they like to catch the ball, what their tendencies are, is, like, what helped us really come together and win this championship.
And it shows the talent that, like, we have four Canadian guys on this team, including Liz. Four Canadian guys on this team. So, like. And really, three of them are. Are American, and the rest is an international team. So showing that the talent that comes out from the entire world, to be honest, is really.
Is really good and big for the program of Bella Vista.
[00:07:38] Speaker B: Yeah. Let's talk about the elephant in the room, the McDonald's all American snub.
Where were you at when you found out you weren't a McDonald's all American? And what was the reaction?
[00:07:49] Speaker A: Let me tell you. All right, so I'm at school.
I got up. We got out a little early.
Well, I got a little early because my class wasn't. Wasn't there. So I went to the gym, and I'm like, yo, telling everyone, yo, McDonald's roster about to be posting McDonald Rossi. So I'm like, okay.
[00:08:06] Speaker B: Oh, you were excited.
[00:08:08] Speaker A: I. I got an edit made for me, like, beforehand. I didn't even ask. Yeah, someone made an edit for me beforehand. It was good edit. And I said, oh, I'm gonna use it when the second I see this is going up.
So it's like, okay. So I'm. I'm actually watching live, like, because they did on first take, I think.
[00:08:27] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:08:28] Speaker A: So I'm watching live, and first I see the west roster came out, and I'm looking for my name. I see it. So I was like, oh, so they probably think I'm from Toronto. Like, they probably got my Toronto side
[00:08:39] Speaker B: or the patrol east side.
[00:08:40] Speaker A: Yeah, they put me on the east side. So I was like, okay, it's cool. So I go to east side, boom, my name's not there. I'm like, yo, what?
I'm rubbing my head. I'm thinking about who. I'm looking at the names. I'm like, oh, I played this guy, and I. I absolutely won the matchup for sure.
But, like, I feel like everyone on that roster, regardless, is a good player for sure, and they're most deserving. But, like, I feel like the stats that I had throughout the last two years, like, you can't deny those, even if you want to say Canadian. And. But RJ was a McDonald's All American.
[00:09:16] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:09:17] Speaker A: A lot of these guys were McDonald's All American. So if you want to pull that card, cool. But, like, the production doesn't lie that I had this year, so.
And I had to get my. Get back at Chipotle and all that.
[00:09:29] Speaker B: Let's talk about that.
[00:09:30] Speaker A: Exactly.
[00:09:32] Speaker B: I would say you had arguably the best high school season I've ever seen from a Canadian since maybe rj. But then I also think about rj, stacked teams at Mount Vert and what you're able to do. Bring in a program that has never been to a Chipotle national title game. To me, that's historic in its own right.
Who's the first call when McDonald's doesn't go through? Who's calling you? Who's blowing up your lineup? Did you try to put your phone on? Do not disturb.
[00:09:56] Speaker A: What was that? I don't. Personally, I did not answer a call for about two days.
[00:10:00] Speaker B: Really?
[00:10:01] Speaker A: Like, even my parents. My mom called. I. I wasn't answering nothing.
[00:10:05] Speaker B: Why not?
[00:10:06] Speaker A: Because I felt like. Like that was personal. Like, I was ranked 21st in the country at that time, so I'm top. I'm really top 24.
Like, 24 players make it. If I'm top 20, 20 should definitely make it. I feel like, personally. And the guys that they're adding were, like, ranked way below me. Definitely, like, that Six of them were way below me. So, like, the disrespect at that time was really, like, what got to me. And it was. It was stuck. I was stuck around it.
[00:10:35] Speaker B: How did you use that as fuel? Like, what was your mindset after that? And was like, yo, I'm about to kill everybody in front of me. Yeah.
[00:10:41] Speaker A: So it came out in, like, I think January, end of January or February.
And so I was like, oh, so for the rest of the season, if I see anyone on this. On this list, it's occurring, it's up.
So that was the only motivation I used from it and just used it to the best of my abilities for the rest of the season.
[00:10:57] Speaker B: Have you heard any reasoning behind why you were. You were not selected?
[00:11:02] Speaker A: No, and I doubt I ever will, to be honest. I don't think they'll ever tell me why I wouldn't.
[00:11:07] Speaker B: If you could send a message to some of the panelists who was on that committee who made the call, what would you say?
[00:11:16] Speaker A: If you truly felt like I shouldn't have made it, kudos to you.
If you seen something different that I didn't see or someone else didn't see, then you Got it. But we'll just see in college.
[00:11:28] Speaker B: We'll just see in college.
[00:11:29] Speaker A: Exactly.
[00:11:30] Speaker B: Let's talk about college. You had a final three of West Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma.
[00:11:37] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:11:38] Speaker B: I was like, where is he gonna go? I was like very interested in your process because I remember Tennessee being very much coming to Canada to watch you play the game.
Oklahoma was another school that was very on you.
West Virginia, Yousef Ali, assistant coach, he's been following for. Whenever I talk to him, he's like, that's my favorite player I've ever watched.
Literally.
[00:12:05] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:12:06] Speaker B: What was the decision process walked me through and our listeners through the decision process going on those visits, how they ended up going about it? Because I think you also like were telling me I might wait till later on, but you ended up announcing pretty like, was it December, January? I think November, November. Sorry.
Pretty early on, making a decision. Tell me about that and what was. Walk us through the whole decision process.
[00:12:30] Speaker A: So when I first said that I was committing later and that I probably would try and hold off, it didn't feel like it was in my best interest because you had to realize like portal just opened up.
[00:12:39] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:40] Speaker A: It's like 500 people in the portal right now. So.
[00:12:42] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:43] Speaker A: And all of them. And all of them have one thing that I don't. That's experience.
[00:12:46] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:47] Speaker A: So when you look at that, it's like, oh, you gotta get, you gotta get to your school right now. Hopefully like your coach doesn't leave and you have to reopen and reevaluate and start the whole process over again. But, but throughout the process it was like go where the people like you most. And I felt like West Virginia had that because they have one thing, like they have a connection that I've had for five years minimum. And when you have someone that's on the staff like that and staff connected to you and a head coach that really felt like. I felt like the head coach really believed in me. He was telling me like, you gonna play the first year. So it was a no brainer for me and I'm already in the best conference in all of the entire country, so.
[00:13:29] Speaker B: Big 12.
[00:13:29] Speaker A: Yeah, exactly. You got mad teams, even air fan going to Houston, like he gonna lose. But yeah, guys like that and a lot of five stars like Kansas is in there, Houston, Baylor, all these other teams that are in there. So it just felt like it was the best platform for me to perform and show my talents.
[00:13:48] Speaker B: Can you take me through your visit to West Virginia? What was that like, getting there? How long was it? What Was the presentation like and. Yeah. What was your first. You get there. What's your. Walk us through that.
[00:13:58] Speaker A: So I got there and they had this little three point contest thing going on outside.
Why was it outside? I don't know. But it was cold, so it's freezing. And then they introduced me to the. They have a mountaineer they call like mountaineer person. And they come through and like they shoot this big musket gun. Okay. Up into the air.
[00:14:17] Speaker B: Oh, that's what Virginia college. Yeah, you got to get used to that.
[00:14:20] Speaker A: Exactly. And I didn't notice it because I was looking and he shoots it and it's so loud.
I was like, nah. And they said they shoot that every game. I was like, yeah, we don't. We can't do that. We can't shoot that at every game, especially not home games.
So it was. Dad took. Had great food. I'm not going to lie. They did have good food.
[00:14:40] Speaker B: Oh, what was on the table?
[00:14:42] Speaker A: I had a lobster Mac and cheese one time. Oh yeah, they had some good. They had some good eats. And then.
[00:14:46] Speaker B: No chicken parm.
[00:14:48] Speaker A: No, I'm not a chicken parm guy.
[00:14:49] Speaker B: Damn.
[00:14:50] Speaker A: I'm always more white sauce down. But they had that.
The facilities were all close by and learning about the history of Hope Coliseum and like seeing that their fans are really intrigued about the whole basketball and college landscape is good.
[00:15:07] Speaker B: Did you realize you were going to be the highest ranked recruit? Program history.
[00:15:11] Speaker A: I'm not gonna lie. I didn't. I didn't even notice I was going to be the highest ranked recruit. But I mean, again, it's an honor. It's a blessing to be as highly talented as such as some may say. So I'm grateful.
[00:15:25] Speaker B: What's your relationship like with you, Yusuf Ali, Canadian guy.
[00:15:29] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:15:29] Speaker B: When did he start recruiting you? Because I know he was at Arizona State. Yeah, that might have been one of your first offers.
[00:15:35] Speaker A: That was my third.
[00:15:36] Speaker B: Third offer, yeah. And then he went over to West Virginia. Now on the coaching staff over there, he's recruiting heavy. And like I said, he's always told me that he loves your game. What was special about that relationship with him? And then Ross too, so.
[00:15:49] Speaker A: Well, my first altercation with Yousef was we were in Kentucky, I think, and that was like my first EYBL session. I was playing up with a stack team. Like now if you bring that team back, that was a good team.
But yeah, he was my coach when I was 14 and that was probably my first time really, me and Yusuf and he was like, oh, like everything I did. Like, he would just be like, oh, my goodness. Yo, Miles, that was amazing.
[00:16:15] Speaker B: Move. Glazing.
[00:16:16] Speaker A: Glazing overly. But, like, it was good that he was showing love.
So, like, then regardless, whatever I was doing, he had my number. He would just text, make sure I was doing good. So I feel, like, the connection that he had and how serious he was about my well being, like, it also led me to. To the commitment of West Virginia.
[00:16:34] Speaker B: Well, what's their plan for you early on? Ball in your hands. That's what I've heard.
[00:16:37] Speaker A: Yeah. So ball in your hands.
[00:16:41] Speaker B: You don't have to wait.
[00:16:42] Speaker A: Don't have to wait. That was really the only thing I was looking for. And, like, I'm not going to school for landscape or location. I'm going to school to hoop.
So when they say you got ball in your hands, you got freedom and you can make plays when you. When you feel like you need to make plays. And the coaching is always going to be there, and I hope it's always going to be there. I'm looking to be coach. I'm looking to improve my game and learn from some of the guys who have been there in there longer than me. But when they give you freedom, you got to take it. And I feel like they gave the freedom that I was looking for.
[00:17:14] Speaker B: What was that moment, like, when you announced your commitment? Dillon Brooks?
[00:17:17] Speaker A: Yeah, he was there, pulled up.
[00:17:19] Speaker B: Tell me about that. How did that even happen? He's always, I'm showing love.
[00:17:22] Speaker A: I'm not gonna lie. I didn't even know you're showing up. He ain't telling me he was at Noah's. No, me and Noah did it together, so.
Yeah, Noah did on the stream first and then he committed. Dylan was right there, and I was like, oh, I ain't even know he was gonna show up. But it was cool to see him for sure. Especially when he had a game the same night. He ended up having 40 that same night. So it was good to see him come through and then leave and then play. So.
But yeah, when he showed up and committed in front of my whole school, especially, like, guys I pretty much grew up with, with Noah and Jelani, Jordan, Keem, all those guys were there. So, like, and all of us were signing at the same time on the same table. So it was good to see that my team, my teammates, and even my friends, really all doing exactly what they dreamed of.
[00:18:12] Speaker B: How many people were there?
[00:18:13] Speaker A: Probably about, like, 100, 120. Cool.
[00:18:16] Speaker B: 100.
[00:18:17] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:18:17] Speaker B: In terms of West Virginia, what are you most excited about when you're thinking
[00:18:20] Speaker A: about the school, the fans. I've received countless DMs, tweets, messages, and people just being happy that I'm here. And I feel like if the whole entire fan base, the coaches believe in me and I believe in myself, I feel like we could do anything at West Virginia.
[00:18:40] Speaker B: Didn't they also just win?
[00:18:41] Speaker A: Exactly. They won the crown. Crown, yeah, they won the crown. New basketball league. I feel like it's better than MIT because all the teams in the crown were a high major D1 team. So, yeah, I'm happy. I like the way that West Virginia is trending. I feel like it can only get better when I'm there.
[00:18:56] Speaker B: How do you see yourself fitting in, like, right away?
[00:19:00] Speaker A: Depends, because a lot of the team is either seniors or they're transferring. So it's really a whole rebuild session right now. And our coaches is going into a second year, so it's a rebuild and I'm just looking to be that one piece that they needed, that's all.
[00:19:15] Speaker B: Talking about recruitment. Paul's not going through that himself.
Are you talking to Paul at all? But West Virginia, I'm not gonna lie.
[00:19:23] Speaker A: No, I'm not. I want Paul to do what's best for him.
And if he sees it at West Virginia, come on. But if his road is different than mine and it's not West Virginia, then I just wish that kid the best
[00:19:36] Speaker B: for sure for you. What are you trying to prove in the next level?
[00:19:41] Speaker A: Small guards are still a thing, you know what I'm saying?
[00:19:43] Speaker B: Let's talk about that.
[00:19:44] Speaker A: Yeah. Being a smaller guard, especially playing with at this hoop Summit thing and all the other guards are like 6, 5, 6, 7. We got one other card that's my size. So, like just being over here and being able to prove yourself that you belong in this type of environment and with all these players that are probably going to get drafted, lottery picks. So it's good to be around this, this type of environment.
[00:20:08] Speaker B: Why do you feel like small guards still excel at the next level? Because I had this conversation with Ryan Emhard and we see what he's doing in Dallas, the run that he had to getting a contract now, I think it's fully guaranteed.
[00:20:22] Speaker A: Well, I feel like with small guards, we're always going to be the fastest on the court, so. And if you could get by anyone, I feel like the decision making just comes with that. Sure. You don't see as much as like a person who's 6, 7. Of course you don't see as much as that person, but you still can see and you still make plays regardless of your height, but your speed is
[00:20:42] Speaker B: what carries you in terms of thinking about that.
Any players you've been watching recently, that's like, hey, I want to transfer it to the next level.
[00:20:51] Speaker A: I watch Darius Garland all the time. Yeah, I feel like he's one of the more underrated guards in the NBA. So watching him, even watching Ryan Nemhard and Andrew, both of them have been nothing but inspirations to my game.
[00:21:04] Speaker B: You're telling me Andrew Nemhard texted you?
[00:21:05] Speaker A: Yeah, he did.
[00:21:06] Speaker B: What was that about? Tell me about.
[00:21:08] Speaker A: He was just saying like, congratulations, keep your foot on, on these people's necks.
That and like just. It was basically a congratulation text and it was good.
Made me feel real good about myself and seeing that an NBA player, especially someone like him at his status, still has the time, still has the gratitude and gracefulness to take his time out of his day to text me after I won something. So like it meant a lot to me.
[00:21:33] Speaker B: I feel like a lot of guys in the league know who you are, respect what you've done. Chris Paul, I think at one point you've had interaction with him. Tell me about that too. And what's that like seeing a lot of these guys show you love and like seeing what you've accomplished.
[00:21:47] Speaker A: Yeah, I met Chris Paul at the, at his camp. I was at his CP3 camp with, with the college guys and all that. So I learned a lot throughout the two days I was there at his camp. And seeing that he's still really intrigued with what I'm doing is, is, is also a blessing. Dillon Brooks also showed up to that tournament, shout out to him. But you know, all the NBA players that have definitely contacted me and made sure that they, they support what I'm doing is, is definitely it's grateful and I'm, and I'm honored to have that respect.
[00:22:14] Speaker B: Any similarities with Ryan Nehard? I see some people mention it. I feel like you're more attack, get to the rim finishing either hand.
Any similarities you see with Ryan Emmer?
[00:22:27] Speaker A: I feel like we both get by our defenders the same way. Like it's mostly one move and go and just use our speed. But I feel like he's also looking more to pass and, but he could get, definitely get a bucket of his own.
But with his role that he's playing on his team right now, it makes him show that he could pass more often. But the role I'm playing right now, going to college and being on a high school team. Like, I can show that I could score the basketball in a variety of ways.
[00:22:53] Speaker B: How do you deal with doubters? Because I feel like people. No, but I'm going to think about it this too. You measure pretty well, six foot. I think people say, whatever, six foot. In the new Nicube Summit measurements, I think you would say six one. So, like, we'll give you six.
[00:23:08] Speaker A: I had a bad shoe on. I don't think I had a bad shoe on. But they measure without shoes.
[00:23:13] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:23:13] Speaker A: For the 36 foot, they measure without shoes. So I'm glad I got that. I thought I was gonna be like 5, 10.
Yeah, I'm glad I got it. And yeah.
[00:23:22] Speaker B: Dealing with doubters. Tell me about that. Just like a lot of people talk about McDonald's all American and people looking at you being like, ah, he might be too short.
[00:23:32] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:23:33] Speaker B: But then people are talking be like, he's dominated. Everywhere he's gone.
[00:23:37] Speaker A: That's the problem. Like, you can't act like, I'm not doing. I'm not producing. Like, so if you're gonna doubt and then I produce and then you still doubt, that's on you. Like, if you want to doubt, that's cool. But I know at the end of the day I'm gonna do what I need to do. So regardless if the doubters, the haters, they can say whatever they want to say. It doesn't bother me at all.
[00:23:58] Speaker B: I want to talk to you about Liam Medicaro. Passing the keys off to him.
What can people expect and what's it been like? He just came to Bella Vista this past year. Getting to know him, having him come off the bench behind you, what was that experience like?
[00:24:14] Speaker A: Well, passing the keys off to him like he's. What people can expect from him is he's probably one of the hardest people personally, I've had to guard. Really? Yeah.
[00:24:24] Speaker B: What is it about him?
[00:24:25] Speaker A: He's 6 5. Like, he's 6 5. He's not slow and like his mid range, when he gets in that mid range and he gets like, he gets his bumps off, like, that's really his game. And I feel like it's a whole transition. They're going to have to switch out the whole playstyle. But I feel like if you center it around him and let him get to his shots, he shoots like shade. Really?
[00:24:45] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:24:46] Speaker A: When he in that mid range, he really gets to it like shade. But he's definitely one of the harder people at.
[00:24:49] Speaker B: To guard in terms of.
For you, what's the next few weeks look like after Hoop Summit.
[00:24:56] Speaker A: Hoop Summit. Well, we end on the 12th, we go win on the 11th and get out of here on the 12th.
[00:25:01] Speaker B: Yeah. OK.
Can we go through the roster before we talk about it? I feel like it's pretty stacked. I'm going to pull it up right now.
[00:25:09] Speaker A: Oh, man, this roster is amazing.
[00:25:11] Speaker B: On this roster you have Ethan.
[00:25:15] Speaker A: Ethan m' Bako from Oak Hill Academy. Six, five knockdown shooter.
Really, really plays hard.
[00:25:21] Speaker B: Ikenna. He was here last year.
[00:25:23] Speaker A: Exactly. A returner. So he already knows what it's about. So him and Taj, those are two people that we're learning from.
[00:25:29] Speaker B: Taj Ariza, you mentioned Adam.
[00:25:31] Speaker A: Adam, time to 6, 6, 5, 6, 6. Point guard shoots. He can shoot. He could really like, he let it go from anywhere. So I've been passing to him, as you've seen. I've been passing to him all week and he. He's been nothing but producing. He's productive and he plays defense. I feel like this is one of the best defensive teams that the Hoops Summit has ever seen.
[00:25:52] Speaker B: Our friend Dion, he was a guy that moved, I believe, from guinea to Montreal. Did you know him prior to talking?
[00:25:59] Speaker A: Yeah, he was on like when I was 14. He was 14 as well. I think he was like two months or three months into playing basketball.
[00:26:05] Speaker B: Wow. What's the. He's committed to Houston. Exactly how have you seen the progression and like, tell me about him.
[00:26:11] Speaker A: Let me tell you, the first time I seen that guy playing basketball, he was still shooting layups with two hands.
So seeing that he has like post hooks, he can shoot threes now, like stretch the floor and he's still £300. Like there ain't nothing no one could really do with him. Especially when you're 300 and you play like you're 265. Yep.
[00:26:29] Speaker B: It's insane.
[00:26:30] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:26:31] Speaker B: Paula Suri, we know him very well.
[00:26:32] Speaker A: Again, Exactly. He jumps 12ft in the air. There's enough to say about him. You could say anything. Micah. Mika Marinen. I played him a couple years ago in school and Eybl.
[00:26:44] Speaker B: Yeah, he was Az. Compass.
[00:26:46] Speaker A: I believe he was at Compass, but he was also on Brad Beale Elite. So I played against him a couple of times and he's done nothing but produce for us. Like he was really athletic. Probably like him and Paul got the same type of build and they Both jump again 12, 12ft in the air. So throw a bit of rim and they'll get it. Sanan San Juan, seven foot, real strong in the paint, sets big body, screens and gets rebounds like just like traditional big. He plays like a traditional big and he'll occasionally step out and stretch the floor.
[00:27:18] Speaker B: Lucas from Dominican Republic, Lucas Morelo.
[00:27:21] Speaker A: Probably a Luca type player. Yeah, yeah.
He really. He like he's slow, he's slower with the ball but like it's not like you're gonna take it from him. Like he's also 6, 7. He sees the floor real well and he also has a. Has a clip on him.
Baba.
I feel like personally he probably one of the best shot makers in the country.
[00:27:39] Speaker B: He. I thought he had a really good script practice today from Nigeria reclassified playing was playing on team Durant. I watched him play in the summer and I don't know, I've seen some people compare him to kd, that kind of stuff. No, what's your comparison for him?
[00:27:56] Speaker A: I don't feel like you could compare anyone to KD anymore.
[00:27:58] Speaker B: Yeah, KD is one of one.
[00:28:00] Speaker A: But like I feel like he's his own player. Like he definitely takes pieces of KD's game. Of course he shows the resemblance. But like his shot making ability, even when he like you think like what the hell, what is he shooting? But it goes in. So you can't really say it's a bad shot. Like everything really. A good shot for him, Baba.
[00:28:16] Speaker B: That's a prospect to watch for.
[00:28:17] Speaker A: Exactly.
We have here Abdu Abdul Turret. Probably most. One of the most athletic people in
[00:28:23] Speaker B: the class from Guinea.
[00:28:24] Speaker A: Yeah, he probably one of the most athletic. Probably the most athletic people in my opinion, the class. So he's committed to Arkansas and he gets outside runs. He likes to run. Throw it by the rim, he'll get it. And he re offensive rebounds and still stretch the floor. I feel like our team stretches the floor really well and we play defense and get rebounds.
[00:28:41] Speaker B: What have you guys been honing in on?
[00:28:43] Speaker A: Offensive rebounding has been a big thing for us. Y like earning ourselves extra possessions because you know you're not going to. You don't know if your shot's going to fall into the game on game day, but we can guarantee is if you get the ball back. So working on offensive rebounding, making sure that we're in our spots and all that.
[00:28:57] Speaker B: The last player on this roster miles out. What's the scout report for you?
When people try to. I feel like every team tries a game plan.
[00:29:05] Speaker A: Yeah.
Don't pick up.
Don't pick up behind half.
[00:29:10] Speaker B: Oh yeah, why not?
[00:29:11] Speaker A: I'm burn them.
[00:29:12] Speaker B: I feel like most teams try that.
[00:29:13] Speaker A: Yeah, they try.
It's terrible.
I don't want to look I don't. I personally dislike face guards but like I've learned a lot of how to play against and still be effective on the court. So I've been getting face guarded a lot this season and all that. So yeah, I can't give out too much to enemy though.
[00:29:33] Speaker B: Yeah.
What have you been honing in on? Like any. Any areas for you that was like I need to. I'm locking into this for the.
[00:29:39] Speaker A: Before I head to college, shooting from further. I feel like my shot has been getting better a little bit. So probably just still honing in and shooting. Shooting with distance and keep the same shot every time and still leadership, like making sure that my teammates and learning how to talk to teammates with different personalities and how to talk to them.
[00:29:58] Speaker B: I'm looking at the US roster, always stacked. I see your homie here, Brandon McCoy.
[00:30:03] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:30:03] Speaker B: What's the scout port for him? And tell me just about this USA team. I see Tyron Stokes here. I see Caleb Holtz. I see a lot of name brands.
[00:30:12] Speaker A: They got a good team for sure and I feel like everyone on that team is deserving of where they are in the rankings in terms of that.
But like a lot of it is just. It comes down to who wants it more. And I feel like with the 12 guys that we have this year, like they've been playing together a lot. So we've come through this week. We only have a week to Prepare. They've been U16s. They've been together since U16, going to these USA mini camps. So they definitely have a lot more like connection with each. With each other. But I feel like this week we've. We've definitely caught up with them.
[00:30:42] Speaker B: What's the score? I want to hear. This is coming out obviously the week after personal score.
How much are you dropping in this game?
[00:30:51] Speaker A: What's. I can't. I don't really know because I'm just going out there like whatever comes with winning, that's, that's my main concern. Whatever comes with winning.
[00:30:59] Speaker B: What's the score then for the team?
[00:31:00] Speaker A: Score over USA.
[00:31:03] Speaker B: I hope you're right.
[00:31:04] Speaker A: 96, 89. Okay. US World Team.
[00:31:09] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:31:11] Speaker A: So once that happens, I'll go home a happy person.
Then go to Jordan Brand and.
[00:31:16] Speaker B: Are you going to Jordan Brand?
[00:31:17] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:31:17] Speaker B: Tell me about that invite. I don't know if it came out.
[00:31:18] Speaker A: Nah, the. Jordan Brand did come out. There's about 30 people on that team. There's. There's too much people on that team. But I'm happy to be there too. Right after this. I Think. But I got a three day break in Arizona, but I'm happy. Where is it at la.
[00:31:34] Speaker B: La?
[00:31:36] Speaker A: Yeah. It's usually at the Garden, but Nice. It's in LA this year. So I'm happy. I'm good. I'm glad to be in this position. And then after Jordan Brand, I'm just gonna call it a break through college.
[00:31:46] Speaker B: Yeah. How would you just sum up this high school season?
When we think about it, when I'm
[00:31:50] Speaker A: thinking back on it, it really doesn't even go to this season. It really always goes back. Like when I think about high school, I'm thinking about my 1 in 12 season.
[00:31:57] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:31:57] Speaker A: And everything that came with that 1 in 12 season. How people were talking about us, that Bella Vista will never be that good and all that. So I'm, I'm glad that I'm in the position I am today.
[00:32:09] Speaker B: What do you remember most about that 1 in 12 season?
[00:32:12] Speaker A: Our first game we played Link Academy. They had Jasper Johnson, Trey Johnson, Baron Phylon.
[00:32:20] Speaker B: Damn.
[00:32:22] Speaker A: All on the same team. So with three guards like that and I'm a scrawny, probably five, eight at the time and, and 16 years old playing against three draft picks and that are going to be three people that are going to be draft picks in the month in like 12 months.
[00:32:39] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:32:41] Speaker A: It's really, it was scary at first and then you gotta learn to adapt to that and show why you belong.
[00:32:47] Speaker B: Yeah. How would you define your high school career? Like, what do you want people to remember about Miles Sadler and his high school legacy?
[00:32:59] Speaker A: I mean like one word, several words. You can give several words.
I feel like the high school season, like to describe my high school thing, it was like an underdog, you know, no matter what, we were never treated right throughout like the entirety of high school season. Like even preseason, we come on number three, we lose. We, we 11 and one. We lose one game and we go back to like 12, you know what I'm saying? So we was never treated fairly in the industry. So we up. But we always found a way to come out on top. So especially throughout this year, we have three championships so it's good to see that like the program is headed in the right direction.
[00:33:39] Speaker B: How much do you pay attention to like all the noise around? You know that I do. That's coming.
[00:33:43] Speaker A: I know. Trust me. I notice everything.
[00:33:45] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:33:45] Speaker A: Everything that's said about me. I'll probably search my name like three times a day. Really make sure people aren't like oh really are saying just so I could get that.
[00:33:52] Speaker B: So what's the crazy thing people said.
[00:33:54] Speaker A: I mean, sometimes, like, crazy things are good in their eyes, but it's like, whoa, to me, like, shouldn't have said that. Yeah. Like, I've been offered, like, so much different experiences at West Virginia. Like, I was. It was almost like, do I really want to go here and risk my life with these. With these people? Yeah, it's crazy, but. And then all the haters on top of that, saying that you're too small and don't got enough meat on his bones and all that. So I always just try and find any little piece of motivation that I can.
[00:34:24] Speaker B: Is there a player that you enjoy watching in college? Tell me about the celebration first.
[00:34:28] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:34:29] Speaker B: The Spider Man. How did that come about? I just seen it. Like, I'm like, that's a Way Lyrics. Did it at the All Canadian game.
[00:34:36] Speaker A: Yeah, I put him on that. So I saw lebaron Filon do it, like, at Alabama this year, and I was like, yeah, that's hard. So I started doing it, and since my name's Miles.
Miles Morales.
[00:34:49] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:34:49] Speaker A: Yeah. So I was like, yeah, this is free game right here. Wow. Try and take this now.
[00:34:54] Speaker B: That's crazy. Are you gonna bring it to the hoops on me?
[00:34:56] Speaker A: I'm gonna bring it to the hoops. I'm gonna bring it to Jordan Brand. I'm gonna bring it to West Virginia, especially West Virginia. Yeah.
[00:35:02] Speaker B: What are you most excited? When I think about West Virginia changing the culture there, too.
What is it about that team that you're most, like, looking forward to? And then obviously just thinking about the Big 12 is. Like, you mentioned, the conference is so tough.
Where do you feel like it can go with you?
[00:35:20] Speaker A: Well, first, with what you said. First, the. What do I think about it?
I think, like, the whole team is pretty much seniors or they're either transferring, so it's a whole back to being a whole rebuild station. It's like, all right, so the only way we can go is up. Because if it's a rebuild, you technically kind of tanked. But if it's a whole rebuild and everyone's coming in, everyone is new, you're really just trying to trend up, so the only way you can go is up. And I feel like we could finish better than what they did this season. They had a good season. I feel like, personally, especially when it was winning the crown, but I feel like we could probably make the tournament next year when we come through.
[00:35:58] Speaker B: Before I let you go, I want you to give me your top five or starting lineup, college players. I don't know if I ever asked you this before.
Give me your top five starting lineup of Canadian guys.
[00:36:09] Speaker A: College basketball. Canadian college players.
[00:36:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:36:11] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:36:11] Speaker B: If you have to give me a top starting five, let's add you at the point.
[00:36:15] Speaker A: Yeah, I'm at the point.
I like playing with guards that are also ball dominant too. So I could get a little off ball action. So me at the point put Xavian
[00:36:27] Speaker B: Celtics evenly.
[00:36:28] Speaker A: Mike,
[00:36:31] Speaker B: is that your center?
[00:36:31] Speaker A: That's my center.
[00:36:32] Speaker B: That's your center.
[00:36:33] Speaker A: That's what. Really? Well, yeah. And that's my center.
[00:36:35] Speaker B: He just committed to Xavier.
[00:36:37] Speaker A: Xavier, yes or no? He was at LSU this year.
[00:36:41] Speaker B: Yeah, he's lsu. Xavier.
[00:36:43] Speaker A: Okay. Damn him.
[00:36:44] Speaker B: And I don't know if you already came out today.
[00:36:47] Speaker A: See that? Him and Yovon. Kind of crazy. Yeah, Yovon.
Yeah. Me, Xavian, Yovon, Mike, it's all a CIA guys. Yeah.
[00:36:57] Speaker B: I think X even played at CA at one point.
[00:36:59] Speaker A: Nah, he didn't. Xavier was never with us.
[00:37:01] Speaker B: But he did play for Nikki Davis.
[00:37:02] Speaker A: Yeah, he has ties. Yeah, he has ties for sure.
And Olivier or Jayon, one of the two. You could really substitute Olivia.
Yeah.
[00:37:12] Speaker B: Big man. Are you going extra big?
[00:37:13] Speaker A: We need exercise.
[00:37:14] Speaker B: He also entered the portal. Exactly.
[00:37:17] Speaker A: So with those. With those four, I feel like we could. We could for sure get it all.
[00:37:22] Speaker B: What do you spend in the first nil check? On what?
[00:37:26] Speaker A: See, and this is a great question.
[00:37:28] Speaker B: What are you. What are you doing? Are you. Don't say osmos.
[00:37:31] Speaker A: This is a great question.
[00:37:33] Speaker B: Don't say osmos.
[00:37:34] Speaker A: What I'm gonna do on my first nil check?
Am I gonna go to the mall? No, you know, I'm gonna buy a new phone because my phone, like what
[00:37:44] Speaker B: type of phone you got?
[00:37:44] Speaker A: I got a 14. Right.
[00:37:45] Speaker B: For the people listening.
[00:37:46] Speaker A: Yeah, I got a 14.
[00:37:47] Speaker B: Oh, I got a 14 too. Do I need a new phone?
[00:37:50] Speaker A: No, I'm not saying you need a new phone, but like my, the back is cracked.
My camera doesn't work.
[00:37:56] Speaker B: So I relay. You see my, my, my stuff is cracked over there.
[00:38:01] Speaker A: Yeah, the whole back of this phone is cracked. Oh, that. My, my back camera doesn't work.
[00:38:06] Speaker B: West Virginia, get him a new phone.
Highest rank recruitment program history that if
[00:38:13] Speaker A: they don't do it, I'm going to do. I know, I'm a new phone first.
[00:38:16] Speaker B: Anything else?
[00:38:17] Speaker A: That's my first purchase. I'm probably going to get a new phone second.
I'm gonna get a goyard bag.
[00:38:23] Speaker B: Goyard bag?
[00:38:24] Speaker A: Yeah. I'm gonna get a goyard backpack.
[00:38:25] Speaker B: How much that cost thing?
[00:38:28] Speaker A: Four, three.
I Got a plug.
[00:38:30] Speaker B: So you gotta play. Yeah. Okay.
When you back in the city, Toronto, you're gonna come out, check out Jada
[00:38:36] Speaker A: Fitch, 19th, 19th, 19th of April.
[00:38:39] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:38:40] Speaker A: So after joining Brand and then hopefully I'm back in town because I go to school June 1st. That's my first day on campus.
I probably come back in a minute early. Yeah, I probably come back mid July and July. So hopefully I'm out there for Jaden Finch. I could see you see.
[00:38:54] Speaker B: When does training camp start?
June 1st. June 1st. Right away.
[00:38:58] Speaker A: Right away.
[00:38:58] Speaker B: You get started?
[00:38:59] Speaker A: I get started right away. So I move in first day. I probably get a week off before training camp. And then training camp was right there for five weeks.
[00:39:06] Speaker B: What if people told you about West Virginia that you're like, you should know, obviously you went on a visit, but like what you should know ahead of time.
[00:39:12] Speaker A: It's a college town. Morgantown is a college town. So if you're not in Morgantown, like if you're right outside, there's really nothing else but the college. And I feel like everyone really knows each other. It seems like that at least. So everyone knows each other. It's a tight bond and they're really, they're really prideful about their sports.
[00:39:31] Speaker B: Miles Sadler, one of the best seasons we've ever seen from a Canadian high school basketball history.
Player of the year, Nike ybl, Chipotle national title. Nike national title too. Scholastic title.
I can't thank you enough for joining the podcast. We're going to do this, to do this yearly. I feel like we do this every year.
[00:39:53] Speaker A: Exactly. We're. I'm going to come back and hopefully next time I'm in the studio.
[00:39:56] Speaker B: Studio.
[00:39:57] Speaker A: Yep.
[00:39:57] Speaker B: We get the photos, we get the, the crew out there.
[00:39:59] Speaker A: Sound like a be in studio.
[00:40:00] Speaker B: Back in Toronto after your first season at West Virginia, excited to watch you play college basketball. Excited to watch you at the Nike Senate representing Canada. Can't thank you enough for joining us, sir.
[00:40:10] Speaker A: Appreciate it. Thank you.
[00:40:11] Speaker B: This has been the Canadian Basketball show, your go to spot for the latest news stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. We'll my guy Miles and we out.
