The journey and grind of Canadian big man Charles Bediako

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign. [00:00:06] 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 man Osmond. I got a really good guest joining me in studio. One of the best bigs I believe in Canada just wrapped the season in the G league averaging a double double. Brampton's very own Charles Bediaco. Welcome to the show, my guy. [00:00:28] Speaker A: Thanks for having me. Appreciate it. [00:00:29] Speaker B: Yeah, just wrapped up, like I said, a season in the G league with Denver's affiliate team. Tell me, how was that season and coming back to the city now? [00:00:38] Speaker A: Season was good. I know they had me report up to Denver in August, so I got to be there with four other guys who were just coming out of college. We got to meet obviously, Jokish. I see Jamal, his workout with guys like Russ came in obviously once he signed and it was just good. A lot of learning and just competing and all. It was really good. That's a vet team, that team. Compared to my team with San Antonio and then with Denver, I'm like, okay, so now there's a difference between like a veteran older team. [00:01:07] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:01:07] Speaker A: And you know, like a young, still developing, but still a great team. Yeah. But yeah, Grand Rapids, it was good. You know, it was up in Michigan, so, you know, still closer to home across the border, about a five hour drive. But, you know, it was good though. The arena was huge. Fans, they love it over there. The Grand Rapids fans, they love their basketball. [00:01:26] Speaker B: So I was asking, how long you been in the city now? Obviously just wrapped up the season. And what's the off season been looking like for you? [00:01:33] Speaker A: So I've been here for about almost two months now. Off season, it's just size, about three workouts a day, two encore workouts and one weightlifting. But it's been good, you know, just really progressing and just staying in shape, being stronger, just getting ready for upcoming season. Yeah. [00:01:49] Speaker B: I see you working out with my guy, Mike Hamilton, man. [00:01:51] Speaker A: Yeah, man. Yeah, man. Yeah, we get after it, you know. Yes. Our workouts be intense. I will say, you know. [00:01:56] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:01:57] Speaker A: But yeah, he's been good. [00:01:58] Speaker B: Yeah. Shout out to Mike. I want to go through your entire basketball journey from playing college basketball, Alabama, going through the NBA draft process, grinding your way through the G league and your time spent playing for Canada. Basketball too, which I'm like probably the most excited about because we'll get into it later on because I feel like Canada's lacking bigs and I feel like you solve a lot of that issue. [00:02:19] Speaker A: Ah, man, I appreciate that for sure. [00:02:21] Speaker B: Hey, so we'll get into that. But tell me, how did you get into basketball? The origin story? How did you fall in love with the game and what made you pursue it? [00:02:29] Speaker A: If I'm being completely honest, I was actually a soccer man. [00:02:32] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:02:33] Speaker A: Yeah. So I first started playing soccer. My brother, he was the one who started playing basketball. He played for Brampton Warriors. He also played from middle school. And, you know, I just followed just to try it. I mean, like, I think in grade six, I was six foot, but I still love the game. Yeah, Yeah. I love soccer too much. And I think the coaches over there, my mother's going to say, yeah, your brother, he plays, so you're going to have to play too. So I tried it. I tried it for a little bit. I played with the ref Team Mississauga Monarchs for like one season. I just kind of left. I didn't fall in love with it. But I would say, like, as time went on, I got taller and I kind of quit. I quit on soccer. Gave it up in grade seven. That's when I stretched from six foot to six five that whole summer. So growing pains. That was real. And I mean, I kind of just, I, you know, started liking it a little more. I started to trust it. You know, once I made a Brampton Elite. So I think we were Brampton warriors, but I changed the Brampton Elite. I think once I. Once I made that team, I'm like, okay, you know, let me commit to this and just see how far I can really go with this. And I mean, it was good. I mean, I chased everyone to get better. I was chasing, getting better as I started falling in love with it and seeing the progress. I guess that's kind of just how it started. [00:03:48] Speaker B: Yeah. You talked about getting into soccer. Did you have a routine? What was your position on? [00:03:53] Speaker A: I was a center. [00:03:53] Speaker B: Center. [00:03:54] Speaker A: I thought I was a point guard, though. You know, I was just shooting the ball a lot. Like, I didn't really, I wasn't really a post up guy. I was still like a lean build. So I mean, when I started, I mean, Jaden older brother, he just like posting up a lot. And I'm like, yeah, that's kind of not me. I like to shoot the ball. [00:04:08] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:04:09] Speaker A: So I did start doing that, but then they kind of had to force me saying, okay, baby steps. Start in the post and work our way out. So. Yeah, nah. But center was my position, I guess, for the whole. [00:04:17] Speaker B: How about in soccer? [00:04:18] Speaker A: Oh, sorry. [00:04:19] Speaker B: I played all positions, all positions. [00:04:20] Speaker A: My last year I played goalkeeper. [00:04:22] Speaker B: You watch A lot of soccer. I don't, I'll be honest, I don't. [00:04:23] Speaker A: Watch a lot of soccer. No, No, I don't watch soccer. [00:04:25] Speaker B: Okay. [00:04:25] Speaker A: I just played the video games. I hated watching it, but love playing for sure. [00:04:30] Speaker B: I'll be honest, people might hate me for this. I think. I think soccer is one of the boringest sports ever. I don't know how people watch. Is it Man United? Is it the Chelsea's? I don't get it. But tell me. Obviously you get into basketball, I guess you start watching it too. Any favorite players you had growing up and. Or favorite team that you liked watching growing up? [00:04:52] Speaker A: I didn't really have a favorite team. My brother, he did watch a lot of Chicago Bulls and Joe, Kim, Noah and then, you know, Derek Row is in his prime. So I watched a little bit with him. But like I said, I still didn't fall in love with it like that. But I would say some players I would watch. I guess when I started liking basketball, I did watch some Kevin Garnett stuff. You know, I did watch a little bit Anthony Davis when he was on the Pelicans. And I watched a little bit Clint Capella when he was on Houston Rockets. Just because I was asked a question in high school, like, oh, like do you model your game after somebody? I never actually thought about them. Like, no, I kind of just. Kind of just out here. And then my coach said, yeah, like, you know, go watch some players, you know, try to get something from them and kind of start from there. [00:05:31] Speaker B: Nice. I want to go through your growth spurt in a bit, but you mentioned you have an older brother, Jaden, playing the cbl. Younger sister at Marquette, I believe. Right. Talented. All played for Canada. What was it like growing up? Tell me that dynamic. Were you guys competitive? Were you and your brother trying to dunk on each? Tell me, what was that dynamic like? [00:05:53] Speaker A: Nah. Yeah, it was definitely a competitive. That much is true. It would be like, I mean, I would want to play soccer outside, but he wants to go play basketball. So then obviously bigger brother, if you gotta say play basketball, you gotta go play basketball. So that's how I play with them. It would get competitive. I mean, there'd be some days like I would lose and I just would just walk all the way home probably crying tears down my face. And I would just be like, you know, that's why I don't play basketball. That's why I play soccer. Basketball is just a dumb sport. But I feel like as I got older, we still play actually together. And you Know, our games are pretty fair now. You know, sometimes I'll win, sometimes he'll win. But yeah, we're still both very two competitive players. [00:06:30] Speaker B: I was gonna, I was gonna ask you, do you need officiating? Do you need a ref to make calls? Or is it like you guys respect it? [00:06:35] Speaker A: You know what, we respect it. But you know, still probably sometimes need some calls. And then my sister, she just kind of followed, you know, I played one on one with her and vice versa. You know, we both didn't take it easy on her. Like sometimes we'll just do like a one on one on one. You know, she probably may get no points one day. She may get one point, she'll complain about it and brag about the whole rest of the day. And she scored on like one of us. But yeah, nah, it's kind of where I started. But we all really are very competitive, especially now. Like, we all still are very close. You know, we all still talk trash about, oh, like, who's the better sibling? You know, my sister claims she's the best mid range shooter on the team. My brother says he's the best free throw shooter on the team. And I say I'm the best three point shooter in the family, you know, so. [00:07:18] Speaker B: Yeah, I saw you shooting in the G league too, man. Give yourself some credit. [00:07:22] Speaker A: Oh yeah, yeah, I told him. I said, hey, come on now. [00:07:26] Speaker B: Yeah, let's talk about. You mentioned growth for 6 foot to 6 5. What age does that happen between? [00:07:32] Speaker A: How old was I? Probably coming around all that. I just know it's from grade six. [00:07:35] Speaker B: To grade seven, grade six to grade seven. And then so now you're what, seven foot? Tell me about the jump from six five to seven five. [00:07:42] Speaker A: Oh man. So grade eight, grade I jumped up two more inches of six eight throughout grade nine. And then grade 10, grade 10, I think I was still about six nine. And then grade 11, I think I was like six 10. I think that's when I'm like, okay, I'm six 10, still need a couple more and I'll be good. And then I really don't know what happened. The thing is, when I got to img, we did measurements and they listened to me at seven foot, I'm like, oh, I got there. So, you know, like, it was cool. But obviously the growing pains wasn't as bad just because I was working out more a lot of like leg strength and stuff. So I think that just kind of just all blended up perfectly. [00:08:18] Speaker B: So, yeah, I was gonna ask you about the groin pains cause I see the 7 foot 3 Montreal kid that's like 13 years old. Oh, so Jeremy Gore. Tell me, what are you gonna say? [00:08:27] Speaker A: Wait, 7 Montreal. What's his name? [00:08:28] Speaker B: Lavelle. Jeremy, go here. He's playing for the U16s. That's coming up. [00:08:32] Speaker A: Oh, no, no. I thought you were gonna talk about Oliver Ryu. [00:08:35] Speaker B: Oh, that's another one. He's. I don't know how. I don't understand that. [00:08:38] Speaker A: So I actually, I met his brother at the CP3 camp that we did. I think I was. I think I was actually about 16 at the time. So that's where I met him. And he told me he had like a 12 year old brother that was like seven foot. And I was like, there's no way. And I think we had a. There was a Team Canada assessment camp. I don't know what year that was. I want to say it was 2018. There was some assessment camp. And then he was there and like he was the tallest one out of everybody. And then I think his older brother's name was Emil. He was there too. And he said, yeah, that's my younger brother. I said, oh, so you weren't lying? So. Nah. Yeah, so that's definitely like with him. And he's like, he's definitely more like coordinated now. Like you could see it like before he first started to. Now. So, you know. Yeah, yeah. [00:09:18] Speaker B: Red shirt of the year at Florida this past year playing FIBA U19, I believe this summer. So yeah, he's. It's gonna be exciting to see. I feel we got some good bigs coming. I've been more critical of it actually at the Olympics I was like, very critical. Biggs. I'm like, where's Charles Mediocle at? That's what I was saying. But like time will come. Yeah, we'll talk about that. Like I said later on we talk about Canada basketball. But. But like you mentioned img. But before you're at img, you played at really college, I believe, right? [00:09:46] Speaker A: Yes. [00:09:47] Speaker B: And I went to Ohio. [00:09:48] Speaker A: Yeah. For my junior year. [00:09:49] Speaker B: Tell me about what was it like at really going to Ohio, going to Florida, img. What was the moves like? And tell me just like behind all that, what made you want to move to the States? [00:10:00] Speaker A: It actually started during freshman year at St. Marcy's I think this is when RJ left Marvor and some guys left to Ridley. I mean, my brother was one of the guys. So I went to Marcy's and I stayed there. It was cool. We won a regional championship, you know, that's something I brag about saying, you know, RJ couldn't do this. Jaden, you couldn't do this. You know, but when I came in, we won it. So, you know, that was good. And then I think after that year, I think I kind of want to take that next step to play with my brother and also, you know, kind of just test deeper waters. So then that's kind of when I made this transition, you know, Terry Upshot. He's our head coach. Great guy. I love him to death. And then, you know, that year we made it to the. What was it? OSBA championship game. We should have won. [00:10:43] Speaker B: Who did you guys lose to? [00:10:46] Speaker A: How do I not remember? Oh, yeah, we lost. What was it? I think it was. Wasn't Orange, was it? I want to say. No, it was. Is it Rise? I want to say maybe it was Ryze. [00:10:59] Speaker B: Yeah. Who's on that roster? [00:11:00] Speaker A: I don't know. I just know, like, Aven was on that team. Aven was a shooter for sure. But, yeah, no, I definitely remember. No, we lost. Oh, there was a semifinal game, semifinals game. But we. I do remember we beat Orangeville Prep. I remember because Iggy was on that team, and that was like we were supposed to lose. Yeah, we were supposed to lose that game. We won. So I remember we won that game. That was good. [00:11:20] Speaker B: Yeah. Go to img. I feel like that's when things start to blow up for you, right? End up being a top 30 recruit entering college. What was your recruitment like? I'm guessing it was probably crazy. Probably one of the best bigs at that time coming out. How many offers did you have out of high school? What was that whole period like for you? [00:11:40] Speaker A: Oh, man. Yeah. So to continue on that, leaving Ridley to go to the U.S. i think I just finished up a good AAU season with you play. And I mean. I mean, coach Dwayne Washington, you know, he had a school up in Ohio, and, you know, he just said, you know, like, the school, like, it would be good, you know, for you. Because also still at the time, like, you know, if you're in Canada and you want to get offers, you kind of have to go to the US it wasn't like it is now, like, how coaches just come down now. So I made that move and obviously, just with that mindset of, like, you know, just give it your best, but also, don't leave the US without at least giving one offer. My goal is just to get one. And then after that summer of u16eybl, I think my first offer was From Rutgers. And then I think I got five offers right after that. And then it was to the point of. Towards my senior season at that school in Ohio. Tom Izzo came to the gym and then that blew up. And then Jon Shire from Duke wanted to come in. And then, you know, that season was good. And then transitioned to img. Img. That's when they all kind of flew in. [00:12:44] Speaker B: What was it like getting your first offer? What was that feeling? [00:12:46] Speaker A: Oh, I was so excited. I was actually wanting to commit on the spot. I told my mom, I said, mom, like, I got an offer, you know, like free school, you know, you don't gotta worry. Don't make the best of it. And I was just so excited. Like, I posted on. Through Twitter, you know, I think when dude blessed to receive an offer from. So that's what I did. Nah, man, it was. It was great. So I was like, so happy. [00:13:05] Speaker B: Yeah. You talk about the Dukes, the Michigan states. I think even Ohio State, Texas, a bunch of schools in the mix. How many visits did you go on and what was that whole experience like? [00:13:16] Speaker A: So you know what? This is actually during COVID year. [00:13:19] Speaker B: Oh. [00:13:19] Speaker A: So I actually didn't get to. I wasn't physically there for graduation, for high school because Covid shut down everything. So most of everything that I did was through zoom. [00:13:27] Speaker B: Oh, so they gave you. Did they give you like a zoom, like, walk through the tour? [00:13:30] Speaker A: Yeah, I think Alabama gave me like. Like what? Like a Google Earth type of thing. Just looking at a facility through my laptop. I'm like, okay. It wasn't really much help, but, you know, it was good. But that's kind of what teams were doing. I think Duke sent me one. It was just like just having to wake up in the morning being ready for a zoom call. Like, oh, I got my alarm, said, oh, you have a zoom call. Michigan State at 9:30, I sit up, showered, put my clothes on, sit on my couch, and then just have the laptop ready and just get on a zoom. That's crazy. That's kind of the most part. And I think I only really took an unofficial visit to Michigan State and Ohio State. [00:14:04] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:14:04] Speaker A: But I never took an official visit anywhere. [00:14:06] Speaker B: That's close. That's close by too. [00:14:07] Speaker A: So it was close by. Yeah. [00:14:09] Speaker B: You probably did that beforehand too, I'm guessing, right? [00:14:11] Speaker A: Yeah. This was during my going into my senior year. [00:14:14] Speaker B: Yeah. Nice. What was it like, narrowing it down? [00:14:17] Speaker A: Oh, man. [00:14:19] Speaker B: You're getting all these offers, right? You narrowed down to, I believe, four schools, right? [00:14:24] Speaker A: Five. [00:14:24] Speaker B: Five. So what was the five? Was Michigan State in that. [00:14:27] Speaker A: Michigan. No, no, it wasn't actually. It was Ohio State, Texas, Duke, Michigan and Alabama. [00:14:34] Speaker B: Alabama. Okay. [00:14:36] Speaker A: Yeah. So that was the five. And how that went, it was just kind of more so play style and just kind of more so, like, what team. What team needed me as opposed to, like, oh, like, you know, we'd want you, but, like, you know, and, like, kudos to all the teams. They kept it real with me. [00:14:52] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:14:52] Speaker A: Through the whole process, like, I asked, like, I. I was. I got. I had some help asking the hard questions, like, okay, if I go here, what is it gonna look like? Who am I gonna go up against? How many people are in this. In the big man position, who I gotta go up against? Yeah. So that's kind of how I narrowed it down to five and, you know, eventually headed down there to two. It was right between Alabama and Texas, and then, you know, Alabama's where I ended up. [00:15:15] Speaker B: Yeah. I wanna ask you. Well, for players, I feel like now Nil has changed everything where guys are into the pro no matter what. We'll get into that, too. But you just mentioned, like, you asked the hard questions, right? [00:15:26] Speaker A: About what to. [00:15:27] Speaker B: Who's playing in my position or what's the matchups gonna look like? Whatever it is, how did you go about that and. And you kind of just touched on it, asking the hard questions. What's your advice? Maybe to kids that are, like, trying to figure out the right school and, like, maybe not get, like, scammed, I would say, in a way, like, sold, like, a bunch of, like, goods when they're not going to receive it or they're not going to actually get playing time, like, what's your advice? Because you went through that, then Alabama became, like, I feel like a really good choice. Right. [00:15:53] Speaker A: Yeah. So I would say, I mean, I didn't go through it all by myself. I mean, I had something with my. My brother, coach Dwayne Washington as well, and Meeks from Team Canada at that time. You know, like, I just had to have a circle. Just like, okay. And they're just telling me, okay, you need to ask these type of questions because teams can't promise you a lot of things. So you kind of just. If you go after what they just say and you're not asking the hard questions, like, you're kind of just going there blindsided. So I say, for someone who, like, wants to, like, I see what you want to say, not get scammed in a sense, you know, just don't be afraid to ask questions. Because at the end of the Day it is your career and you just want to like make sure like you know everything you're about to get into. Whatever decision you make and what the consequences are going to be. Both know the positives and the negatives about the decisions you make. And you know, if you can live by it or you can endure it, go ahead with it. [00:16:45] Speaker B: Good words, good words. What was. How did Alabama sell you and what made you decide? [00:16:52] Speaker A: Though I would say, I'm not gonna lie, them winning the SEC championship, that was good. And then obviously making it to be 16. But I think I was getting recruited by coach Brian Hodgson and I mean for him he just like they said, you know, we don't really have a big. And me watching Alabama's like playstyle, they actually didn't have a big. They had a lot of like shooting bigs. The tallest big was, I want to say six, eight. My boy Alex Reese, you know, he just finished off. He was on a two way with Philadelphia this year. So he was there starting big. And you know, they didn't really have like a rim runner big like me, which was the one con I had on my notes taking because that's kind of just me taking a risk how they're going to use a rim running big like me and not picking pot big. But it was just kind of like they said, yeah, we don't. We only have one person that's gonna be a big for us. But like you know, if you come in and do what you did like at img, like you'll start and just watch the work. Work. So yeah, I was just like, okay. So that's kind of what I took going into it. And you know, at the same time also I did have a fellow Canadian down there, Keon Ambrose. Yeah, yeah, that was my guy. So you know, I'm like, all right, let me go play. I guess I'm Canada ritual up in. [00:18:08] Speaker B: There and shouts and I feel like there's been marketing to Ada Holloway, Aiden. Yeah, he's there now. He's been killing it over there, I think. Any other guys Primo also was there. Tell me about you get to Alabama. What's it like? What's. I feel like it was a football. That's a football town, right? But I feel like it's slowly become like. Like I'm watching Mark Sears, I'm watching all these guys and it's like it's a basketball. It's become a basketball team and I feel like, I don't know, I would say like I really got into watching college Basketball the last few years. But, like, I feel like that wasn't the case. How did that switch and what was it like when you were going there? [00:18:45] Speaker A: So when I first touched down, it was actually the nighttime, so I didn't really see what was going on. But I would say the next morning, I mean, the air was different, that's for sure. You know, just jumping from what, back up to Toronto. It was cold in like September and then jumped right into Alabama. Weather was different. I didn't actually know much about the football team. I just knew I was coming to Alabama. I'm like, all right, you know this. When I was younger, I never ever thought about going to the University of Alabama for basketball. You know, everybody was thinking about the Blue Bloods. So that's kind of what I was thinking. I'm like, you know what, I'm gonna make the best of the opportunity, go down there, realize football's a big deal. The first was scrimmage. It wasn't even actually it was a scrimmage. People are like camping outside, like outside kinda like have the whole streets, just, just camps, camps and just so much camps. And I'm like, okay, so football's really big out here. So, you know, the way I seen it my first year, I'm like, okay, well, I mean, we have nothing to lose if we keep winning. It's good if we lose. I wouldn't think they expected more from us because the team with Primo and Herb, they won the SEC championship. So they had like a really high standard. And I was just like, okay, pressure, but you know, take it with a grain of salt. [00:19:57] Speaker B: Yeah. Just looking at that second year team that you guys had, it was. You're like, damn, that was a roster, man. You, Brandon Miller. Brandon Miller was kind of like, I feel like not as hyped up until the season. He was killing it. You could probably speak more to that. Noah Clownley was on our roster. Shout out. Some guys. I don't know, but I'm guessing that was a special group. No. [00:20:19] Speaker A: Yeah. Nah. Especially that second year because obviously we had some transfers. Some guys had to graduate. We were a young team. And I guess for the guys that returned, I think we only had like four returners. Me, Namaari Burnett, Noah Gurley and Javon Quinnerle. And it was just like, okay, we're gonna team next year. And I was coaching, I was just thinking like, yeah, we're a young group of guys, but they're gonna wanna win. You know, it's their first year, nobody wants to lose. You know, we're gonna change the culture, change everything. And then that's just kinda how it went. Those guys coming in like our freshmen, shout out to them like they were great. James, Bradley, Ryland, Griffin, B. Mill and Clowney. Yeah, it's like you said, Brandon, he was highly recruited at high school, but like you said, the hype wasn't. I mean. Cause I didn't even know who he was. I just knew he was a top player, but it wasn't to the point where, oh, yeah, he's gonna be like, top pick in the draft. [00:21:10] Speaker B: Top three. [00:21:10] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. Until he actually came to campus. I'm like, oh, you're pretty tall. He was like 6, 9. Then we had our first practice, and then he was just jumping at the gym and he can shoot the ball like crazy, you know, And I was just like, oh, wow. I said, yeah. [00:21:23] Speaker B: I was gonna say, was there a moment? [00:21:24] Speaker A: Yeah, there's a moment. I think he. He dunked on one of our bigs. He actually jumped over him and dunked on him. And I was like, oh, yeah, he cleared him for sure. Okay. I see it now. And then Noah Clowney, like, he also has a great story too. He was coming out of high school. He wasn't even. Actually didn't know who he was. I know he told me he wasn't ranked that highly at all. But you know him coming out of it 18, and you know him just hustling hard, rebounding, and could shoot the ball. And I love his story too. And then just being. Getting into like a top 20 pick in the draft, I was happy to hear that from him. And he was still so young, still learning a lot. So. [00:22:00] Speaker B: Yeah, special group, man. I'm just thinking about it. And then on Brandon Milleff, he was averaging like. He was averaging like 21 points in the second year of the season before he got injured, man, hopefully he gets better because I feel like he's a special talent. [00:22:11] Speaker A: No, Yeah, I actually hit him up when I was down for my G League team. I think the day I hit him, he was saying he was getting stitches out soon, but he. He was ready to get back out there. So, you know, I told him, I said, yeah, man, get better. [00:22:22] Speaker B: Yeah, hopefully. Yeah. Shout out to Brandon Miller. Man, I actually played 2K with that guy. Oh, you did one of the things. Yeah, I was in a party with him. We were. I don't know how I connected with him, but we were playing. He's not bad, but I had to. I have to carry him a bit. You Know, I gotta. That's a. I just wanted to mention it to you. [00:22:37] Speaker A: That's what's up. That's what's up. [00:22:38] Speaker B: Ask about it. But what do you call it? I want to ask you about Nil. Uh, it's crazy how massive it's gotten, right? Um. Was it just starting to get big when you're in college? Like, what are your thoughts on, like, just how massive it's gotten? [00:22:52] Speaker A: Oh, man. How it is now? Like, it's crazy. I mean, when I was there for my last year, like, it was. It was around, but, you know, it wasn't like the numbers now, like, with these kids, I'm like, yeah, it definitely wasn't like that. Maybe at most with Bryce Young, like, maybe he was touching those numbers, what I heard. But that was like, from like, Nil, like, notice, like outside Nil, like, all that. But like, with these kids now, like, I'm seeing 2 million, almost 8 males. [00:23:19] Speaker B: I'm like, whoa, Some. For people coming off the bench. [00:23:22] Speaker A: Yes, some people are coming off the bench. I'm like, wow, really? So, you know, it's just. It's definitely evolved, but, yeah, no, it's good. [00:23:30] Speaker B: What are your thoughts now? When over a thousand players entered the portal this year? Like, to me, that's insane. When you see that, like, what's going through your mind? [00:23:39] Speaker A: I can't lie, I'm a little bit mixed emotions about that because, like, now, obviously, if you're not playing, you don't like the school now you're just gonna get out of there now you're just gonna pick the school with obviously who's gonna give you the most money. But are you thinking about the school that actually help you get to where you wanna get to? You know, Because, I mean, like, money comes and goes, you know, so just like, if that's. If that's what you wanna do. Because everybody's situation is different. So I understand if you're gonna go somewhere to go get some money so you can start supporting your family right away. So, I mean, yeah, it's a little mixed emotions about that. [00:24:12] Speaker B: Yeah. Obviously you entered the draft two years in. Seeing how massive it gotten, do you feel like you might have been, like, now we're talking about the money people are making? Do you feel like you wanted to stay four years or like, stay longer? [00:24:21] Speaker A: Shoot, if it was over a mil, yeah, I'm like, all right, cool. You mean stay fine, you got a mile. I'll stay. Shoot, I'll just keep working hard at it. And plus, I mean. I mean, you're not paying, you're not really paying rent in college at all. At all. You're just going to class, hooping and making seven figures. [00:24:37] Speaker B: That's all millionaire college players, man. I support a thought, like, because the coaches are making millions off you. Like, we hear the stories back in the day where like guys would struggle to get food, you know. So like, this to me is like, I'm for it. They just got to come. I feel like, better with the transfer. Like people transfer for like whatever reason nowadays, right? Like, oh, yeah, coach spoke to them the wrong way. I want to transfer. You know, it's like, yeah, I mean. [00:25:03] Speaker A: My brother told me that it's one player. I ain't gonna say who, but I think he wasn't playing at a certain school and I think he was demanding one team. Like, if he wants to go to that, give him like $2 million. Yeah. And mind you, I think he said, yeah, he's only averaging like four points. And I'm like, whoa. [00:25:17] Speaker B: Nah, they're holding schools hostage now. [00:25:19] Speaker A: Yeah, players are starting to, starting to get, you know, get a little crazy with it. [00:25:23] Speaker B: Player movement, man. [00:25:24] Speaker A: Player movement, man. [00:25:26] Speaker B: I support it. I support it. You enter the pre draft process, I'm always like very fascinated about it because, like, I feel like it's just a, it's talked about, but it's also like it's such a cool process because you get to work out for a dozen teams. Tell me about that experience for you. Going in from. I'm guessing you start workouts in like April, Right. And then tell me about the whole process. [00:25:46] Speaker A: All right. So for me, I think I still had exams, so I think when I finished, I think it was like April 20th. I finished and my first workout was May 2nd with the Memphis Grizzlies. So I worked out for 15 teams. And that in itself, yeah, it was something. It kind of helped you get ready for the next level because it's like you work at a 9M with one team, it's only for like maybe an hour or maybe an hour and a half after that. You know, you get some food to eat and then you're literally on the airport like an hour later for the next team trip and then you probably work out the very next day. I think I had a back to back. It was from. What was it? It was from. Actually, I think it was from Memphis to Portland. And that's my flight. We got in late, so we got in at like 11pm Then I had to find something to eat. And then by the Time I couldn't get to bed to like one. And then we made to wake up at 8am actually be in the facility at 8am for testing and then playing and all that. And yeah, that itself, it's something but like the actual journey, just meeting the people, like it was great. And also the gear. [00:26:53] Speaker B: Two days too. Hell yeah. [00:26:55] Speaker A: I would say, I'm not going to say what teams, but some like they'll ask for like almost everything back and you probably keep the socks. [00:27:01] Speaker B: I would say they're too stingy. [00:27:03] Speaker A: There's a few teams that are stingy. I don't want to say, but there's a few teams that are stingy. [00:27:06] Speaker B: That's crazy. Billion dollar teams, man. Y' all gotta fix up, man. Tell me, I asked you like what was your favorite part? Just about the whole pre job process. [00:27:16] Speaker A: Favorite part? I think just meeting the players that you play against within college. Like, you know, you'll probably go down and then I think it's like sometimes you have like a dinner and then you go and see the players. You probably play against your conference or something. Like, oh, like what's up? What's up? Y' all just talking, you know. Cause I guess at a point you guys are all kind of the same team, you know, just working out, just showing what you could do obviously until you get to playing. But you know, I guess that's cool. And also just meeting people on staff because the one thing they do say, like one piece of advice that when I worked out for the Raptors for my free agency, I think one of the coaches, he said, yeah, one thing, you know, just always meet people. Cause you never know like when they may get a job, someone for a team and they could just call you up, you know. So just continue to build relations. Don't just kind of just be in and be able to go out your way, you know, like try to meet people and stuff like that. [00:28:01] Speaker B: Yeah, I was gonna ask you any crazy workouts? I know some teams put you through something like Gauntlets. [00:28:06] Speaker A: You know what? Okay, if we're talking about like physically, I would probably say Utah. [00:28:12] Speaker B: That's the team I always hear. Yeah, I'll say it's a three minute run, huh? [00:28:15] Speaker A: Just because when I went through the process, I heard it was like Boston or Boston's three minute drill run and all that. And I think my year when I came out and I worked out, I think two of my boys that I met, Logan and Tamani, that's when I met those guys. Tamani, I think he's from Portland. He knew Kobe Elvis. That's kind of weakly. I'm like, oh, you know Kobe. He's like, yeah, no, Kobe Elvis. But anyways, they said yeah. So you know, obviously we're getting to the end of the workout and one thing we're going to do that you know, we're probably going to start now doing is running. So we did that three minute run in front of Jason Terry and oh my gosh, the altitude was killing everybody. I still finished. I finished at a good time. As long as I wasn't last, I was good. I think I was in the middle of the pack so I was cool with that. But that's physically that was the hardest one. It's like kind of the, I guess kind of the vibe in the room. It was Boston because they just lost to Miami and we worked out the very next day. So it was only like three coaches in there. Like nobody was really in there. So it was kind of just quiet. We still worked out but like it was quiet. You could even ask Emmanuel Miller about that. Cause he was in my workout. Yeah. [00:29:19] Speaker B: So shout out to Emmanuel Miller, man. He just signed a two way mid season with Chicago. [00:29:24] Speaker A: Yeah, with Chicago, man. Actually one of our guards from Grand Rapids, Jameer Young. I did play against him in March Madness when he was on Maryland and we beat them. So that's when we played at the same time. Like, yeah, I'm sorry about that but you know, we're cool. But he's also on a two way with Bulls, so. All my boys. [00:29:39] Speaker B: It's funny thing is when we're talking about the three minute run, I think it was a Boston thing because Danny Ainge was there and then he moved over to Utah. He's in the front office there. And then he brought it to Utah. So it became like a thing now which is. But Utah's a team that and I chat with some of those, some of the people that work at Utah and they're like, yeah, we know we put people through it. [00:29:59] Speaker A: Yeah. Like Utah, they get after it. Especially with the air is like it does not make it easier. Like you gotta like put like I heard some stories, you gotta put Vaseline in your nose or something just so you can get through it. Cause the air is like super dry. It'll get right to your lungs. Like we'll probably test. I think when we did our testing and our jumping after that, like some guys are gasping a little bit. Me too. I won't lie. Like I was like I was tired, I was bust fam I was like. [00:30:19] Speaker B: Damn, I'll be bust. I got asthma, man. I'll be hoping to bump. [00:30:23] Speaker A: Yeah, bro. I was like, yo, do I have asthma, man? We about to work out. I gotta lock in for 40 minutes. [00:30:27] Speaker B: No, for real. You talked about working out for the rafters. What was that whole experience like? I'm guessing, like, coming home, seeing the facility. I'm guessing you feel like, what was that? You feel at home, right? What was that experience? [00:30:37] Speaker A: I would say they made me feel at home because when I got there, they're like, charles, nice to see you again. Like, and obviously they have, like, when you get in there, they have, like, your jersey, obviously, like, on their big. [00:30:48] Speaker B: A mock version. [00:30:49] Speaker A: A mock version of it. So I think it was me and Emmanuel Acott. So we were in that Raptors workout, and they're just like, yeah, you guys have any questions? Like, ask these two. Charles, Emmanuel, Akot. It felt like at home, you know, just kind of seeing the streets. I'm like, yeah, like, my house ain't far from here. And it was cool. All the guys were cool to work out with Pui. Raptors are fine. I saw one of the Team Canada strength trainers. I don't know why I don't remember his name right now, but, yeah, but he was there. Charles, good to see you again. Oh, what's good? That's good to see you. I guess most of them knew who my brother was, my sister, and, like, oh, so kind of just at home with it. But it was good, man. I loved it. [00:31:24] Speaker B: That's dope, man. Obviously, you end up going undrafted. Tell me about what that feeling was like. And then the mindset going into starting your professional career and guessing the hunger that you had going in. [00:31:36] Speaker A: Yeah. So with that, you know, obviously, you know, it's every kid's dream to get a name called, but for me, it's kind of like why I said, weigh the pros and cons. I kind of knew what I was going to get into. It was a 50% chance I get my name called, and 50% wasn't. I was kind of. We were really. We were really aiming for that 44th pick with San Antonio in that draft. Obviously didn't get called, but kind of just like, put a few on the fire and, you know, just going into summer workouts and then obviously getting a call after that night. And I kind of had to choose after that. Obviously, I chose San Antonio. Worked super hard that summer, just getting ready to go into, like, San Antonio and just do what I do, what I could do. And more so the hunger was definitely really there. And yeah, you know, got the two way. You know, I was cool, happy about it. I'm like, you know what? I still got something to prove. Yeah. [00:32:28] Speaker B: I remember chatting with you at summer league because it was. You mentioned the 44th pick. I don't know if someone fell and then they ended up picking them. But I think you signed that night with San Antonio. [00:32:37] Speaker A: No, like, yeah, yeah, I signed that night with them. And I, I'm pretty sure. [00:32:41] Speaker B: What was that feeling like? [00:32:42] Speaker A: So in the moment, it was great. Obviously, I went back upstairs. My family was still kind of like. Because they all kind of just wanted to like, let me be in the hotel room. But, you know, I think, well, my girl, when she was with me, I told her, I said, yeah. So I just finished and, you know, we're going to San Antonio. You know, after I went to my mom's room, my sister, I told them and my aunts and uncles, my brothers. So, you know, it was pretty emotional, but, you know, it was tears of joy. So, you know, I just knew, like, I got a chance, you know, still got something to prove. And yeah, man, it was good. [00:33:13] Speaker B: Yeah. Obviously end up in San Antonio, playing there, and then unfortunately, obviously suffer a torn mcl just like months into your career, NBA career. How tough was that? Tell me, like, going through that and mentally, like, just tell me about the whole process. Just like, obviously just getting started. Right. [00:33:32] Speaker A: So that was actually my first really big injury because I know in Alabama, I think the most I ever had, Like, I was like, I had an MCL stretch and I think I had a plantar fascia tear on my, like, left foot. But that was kind of like the first, like, obviously big knee injury. Like, I couldn't lock on my leg. And it was like a very low volume injury. Like, we were just warming up. It was like two days after Christmas, you know, just stretching, getting ready to practice. I think we were like doing bear crossing, the frog poses. And then literally I just heard something. My knee just popped. And I literally, I stood up after and I couldn't lock my leg out. And I literally looked at our stranger and I'm like, I can't, like, I can't, I can't move. And they're like, oh, like, what do you mean you can't move? I'm like, I think some of them might need. So I got pulled off to the side. Trainers tried to figure out what was going on. They couldn't really figure it out, so they said, okay, we'll just get an MRI tomorrow. Got an mri. They told me, like, yeah, like, yeah, you definitely have an MCL tear. It's a bucket handle tear. But, you know, we won't really know exactly what it is until you get surgery. So San Antonio got down there. They got me to surgery the very next day. The doctors say, you know, you have a strong knee. And they said it's a good thing that it was like a low volume tear. It looked like there was some stretching somewhere and tear on it. So they said it's probably good that it happened like that. Probably. Obviously could have been worse. If I was like going high volume and stuff, it could have been worse. So, you know, I thank God that it wasn't nothing crazy and just going through all that, you know, I just took it with a grain of salt, you know, up and down is. You know, I actually started getting to my Bible more, you know, because I mean. I mean, can't really do nothing without God. So, you know, I was just very thankful with him. And, you know, I know, like every day in life it could always be worse. You know, some people wish they could be my position. So, you know, I kind of just had to, like, stop him. Like, you know, like, I'm grateful I could still actually get the rehab and just get back to it. So, you know, I just thank God for all that, you know, it was. It was good. Got to meet some good people, you know, Shout Out Mark, you know, he was. He was coming. He was my rehab guy up in Austin. So, you know, he helped me get right, you know, tell me crazy stories, but, you know, you know, thank you to him and his. His workers around. That got me. That helped me. [00:35:42] Speaker B: So I was gonna ask Shout out to Mark what was the rehab process like? And tell me the whole process. Six to eight weeks, right? [00:35:49] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. So damn near two months. So with that, it was just like first day, you know, I was just coming in crutches and lying down on the chair. We did some. He had some stems just kind of working my knee. I did some weights with it, just lifting it up slowly and then, you know, just kind of working into lunges, slowly walking, just jumping out of box, you know, ladder movements and just did that for like eight weeks. And I think. What's that? Was that a treadmill called that? I think it could take your body weight or something. It was a hyper g something. [00:36:23] Speaker B: I don't know. I don't work out. I wouldn't get back in the gym, though. [00:36:28] Speaker A: Yeah, no worries, no worries. It's something you use, obviously, especially, like, for acl. So it's basically just something to help you, I guess, like, run a treadmill and see how you do, like, with a certain amount of body weight. So I use that a lot. And, you know, before you know it, he got on the court, started shooting, started running, like, cuts and turns and, you know. Yeah, it was good. And before you knew it, I was back with the team, but they just kind of wanted me to wait for the season to be done. I think there's only five games left, so I kind of took that off season just to get stronger in my knee and get ready and, you know. Yeah, get with it. [00:36:58] Speaker B: And I saw you at summer league with the Orlando Magic. That was cool. [00:37:01] Speaker A: Yeah, you know, I got to meet some guys. Jay Huff, you know, nice. [00:37:04] Speaker B: He's great people, I think I saw you run into, like, Cory Joseph at one point. [00:37:09] Speaker A: Yeah. He was in the gym, like, the second day, I'm like, oh, shoot. So, yeah, he. He see me, like, oh. So I'm like, what's up, man? He's like, you're good. And, yeah, we're just talking up a bit. It was good. [00:37:19] Speaker B: That's dope. And I think he signed, like, right after with Orlando. [00:37:22] Speaker A: Oh, yeah? Yeah. When he got here, I'm like, yeah, he's not here for somebody. Yeah, yeah, I know. He's signing right after. [00:37:26] Speaker B: Yeah. So, yeah, tell me when. When Denver became an option and what was that like? [00:37:32] Speaker A: So it was after summer league, I think I was trying to figure out, obviously, what teams were still interested. And I guess with my. My agent, they. He said, okay, well, you know, Denver. Denver did. They did really have high interest in you after the draft, which I do remember they did, obviously, chill San Antonio, but they still had to have a heavy interest for E10. So obviously I'm like, you know, they're a championship team. I mean, obviously I could learn from the guys, obviously work out with Jokic and stuff. Jamal's there and, you know. Yeah. So I kind of just took it from there. So I kind of chose to go to Denver. I was excited to get down there, and then obviously, seeing who else was there. One of my Auburn. Well, one of my Oliver and I brothers, you know, Jalen Williams. So we went against each other, you know, especially the big Alabama, Auburn head clashing. So it was cool. And like, I said Jameer from Maryland, and then my boy Gabe, Gabe McLaughlin, he played at GCU. Alabama beat them. The year I was in San Antonio, Alabama beat them and knocked them out of March Madness. [00:38:37] Speaker B: You're talking trash. [00:38:38] Speaker A: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. That rumor. I said, yeah, you guys all got a piece of Alabama. All you guys. It was cool though. [00:38:45] Speaker B: I want to ask you about life in the G League. How would you describe it to people that maybe don't understand it, don't see it often? The grind. Everyone's fighting right, to obviously earn a full time NBA contract. What's that like? Tell me. [00:39:02] Speaker A: So obviously I got, I was fortunate enough to see both sides of it. I probably would say with this Grand Rapids team, like everybody actually liked each other and you know, rocks with each other. Like apparently in the G, like is so competitive. It's very competitive. Like you don't see that much like teams that just like gel well together. [00:39:19] Speaker B: Some guys want their own buckets, you know. [00:39:21] Speaker A: Exactly. [00:39:22] Speaker B: I need this many shots. [00:39:23] Speaker A: And sometimes, sometimes that's not even the case. But obviously, you know, sometimes some people get their minds clouded. Cause I mean we're all like, you know, we're all trying to get to that next level, but it's also just what teams need. So that's why like even if you're not scoring, you have to like do something else that like will stick out to coaches. Because I mean, yeah, if you're averaging 30, I mean if you get called up or signed it to it, I mean you're not going to go on the main team to go put up points. You know, it starts something typically that you do that they want you up there for. So I mean like that that's in the grind itself. Meals, meals. It's all right. You know, they give you some cash, you know, when you travel especially, you know, get some food and all that. Really after that it's kind of like the NBA, you know, kind of just your own person, you know. You know, you can get in the gym if you want to. You know, I would say housing is covered up by the G League, which, you know, that is cool. You know, everybody, everybody's chill. But traveling is definitely different. [00:40:17] Speaker B: I was going to ask you, what does a travel day look like schedule wise? [00:40:20] Speaker A: Oh man. See Grand Rapids specifically. I'm like, we would leave early. I don't know why? [00:40:26] Speaker B: What was early? [00:40:28] Speaker A: Oh, they would wake up at 5am, be on the bus at 6 for a 9am flight. And I think one time we were actually supposed to go to Iowa and our flight got canceled. I think it was a bad snowstorm. So we just got a, we got a coach bus. We drove seven hours past Chicago, all that Indiana just to get to Iowa. Yeah. That seven hour bus ride, like, it was. It was bad just in the. Just in the sense of like everybody's back was hurting, everybody needed treatment. So I mean, it is a grind though. Yeah, but I mean, like, traveling is all right. [00:41:02] Speaker B: I was gonna say, what's a typical day in the life? [00:41:05] Speaker A: Like, day in the life. If it's a practice day, probably, you know, everybody has a time for treatment, so, you know, we all got our time. So you kind of just depend how you'll wake up. Some guys wake up and make breakfast. Some guys will just wake up and get ready to go. I was kind of one of those guys who had to wake up like an extra hour early, make some food to eat, sit down, kind of get my mind right, and then I'll leave for practice. Cause I mean, me personally, I can't work on an empty stomach. So, I mean, I just need some fuel in me to get started. [00:41:33] Speaker B: Yeah, we kind of touched on it. Average a double double in the G League. I feel like he had a game that was like 26 and like 15, 16 rebounds. I forget how much it was. [00:41:42] Speaker A: Yeah, could have had 30. [00:41:43] Speaker B: You could have had 30, huh? [00:41:44] Speaker A: Could have had 30. [00:41:45] Speaker B: What was it? 30? Was it? Was it. [00:41:47] Speaker A: I mean, with my shot attempts, it was just kind of, what if I just made like, what, two layups? Maybe one free throw? 30. Yeah, but, you know, it was still a really good game. [00:41:56] Speaker B: I was going to ask, how do you feel like your game has evolved? I feel like everything double double in the G League is not. Not easy. [00:42:02] Speaker A: I would say this was like, actually my first season. Obviously, you know, thank God above, You know, it was my first full season just healthy. Because obviously my. I've only played 12 games my last year before the injury. So it's kind of my first full season. You know, I just feel like the game got a little slower because the G league is faster than the NBA. I don't. I think that's kind of one thing people wouldn't know. But like, yeah, the NBA, you know, sometimes fast, but sometimes, like, you know, stationary, running around through plays. G Leagues, it's a lot of fast cards, like, a lot of fast cards. And the game just goes so fast. Like, you know, sometimes refs can't see what's going on, which is why they say sometimes G League refs, like, they can't make proper calls because everybody's going so fast. I feel like it slowed down for me. And honestly, just playing hard, you know, I kind of built more confidence in myself. You know, I wasn't really worried about my knees much. You know, it's all better now. I kind of just felt like just, you know, towards the end of the season, I kind of channeled my energy off rebounds. If I look up on the board and I have six rebounds and it's not even halftime yet, like I'm. I'm going for it, you know, blocking shots. You know, I'm also free throw one free throws for two points, so that helps too. So, you know, like before you know it, you're already looking up and you already got like 10 and 12. Like. Oh, shoot. All right, still six minutes left. Let's just keep going, see where it takes us. [00:43:21] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:43:22] Speaker A: So. [00:43:22] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. And I think you're. I forgot what you shot from three, but you're shooting a three ball too. [00:43:27] Speaker A: Yeah, a little 35%, you know. Hey, I was telling you, that's an A now. [00:43:30] Speaker B: That's league average. As long as the league average. [00:43:32] Speaker A: Yeah, exactly. [00:43:33] Speaker B: And then a double double. You're doing like 25 minutes too, which is like, that's. I feel like that's hard to do in like those. In 25 minutes. Obviously the fast paced game we talked about. Now I want to talk about Canada basketball. Let's do it. I know you're excited. You're the guy that I feel like is probably. We talked about this prior when we're in summer league. I feel like swooped the most when it comes to the age group stuff. What do you remember about that first time playing for Canada basketball and getting the invite? What do you remember about that? [00:44:01] Speaker A: So this was. What was this? It was U16s. U16Americas. I remember that. I was 15 years old. [00:44:08] Speaker B: Where was this at? [00:44:09] Speaker A: This was in Formosa, Argentina. So obviously I think what we had, we had Ma. No, we didn't. We had Parishad, we had Taron, Todd. It's just some of the guys I remember, but I know that invite. They did training camp at Ryerson before they changed the name, but it was at Ryerson, in the gym. [00:44:27] Speaker B: Kerr Hall. [00:44:28] Speaker A: Yes. [00:44:29] Speaker B: Okay. [00:44:29] Speaker A: Yeah. So you know, that was there. It was, it was cool. I would say I almost got cut the first day though. [00:44:35] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:44:35] Speaker A: Because I pulled a cramp. What? Yeah, yeah. And then Meeks. Meeks kind of got on me at the. At the end of the first day. He's like, you're lucky. You had like a couple dunks because we almost cut you the first day. How are you gonna pull a cramp at tryouts? So, you know, that was cool. And then just that first time it was. It was good, man. I mean, just traveling, you know, going to a whole different country, currencies and all that. It was a really good experience, I would say. [00:45:01] Speaker B: What's the feeling like when you played for Canada? Because I feel like you. I remember even telling me, like, Alabama knew that whenever Canada called, I gotta go. Tell me about the pride you have. And just like always wanting to represent Canada. [00:45:15] Speaker A: So I felt like each year I played, like I played with bigger, I guess. I guess I just went more on my back, you know, Like, I took a lot more practice, obviously my first year, you know, kind of just filling it out. Okay, Canada. But I feel like as the years went on, I'm like, yo, like, I'm representing not only just a country, but also the last one on my back. And, you know, I know, like, okay, well, whatever happens, as long as I'm giving it my all, like, that's all I could say. So, you know, I just feel like even with that. And I guess there's people also at team Canada. They kind of knew who I was, they knew what I brought. And it also encouraged me just to keep working and all that. So I guess even at that time, you know, my confidence started growing, you know, playing just a year up to playing now my brother's age group, two years up, and I'm like, okay, I could. All right. I knew I was good. I didn't know I was that good to be playing two years up. But okay, so then that kind of just then there. That's why I kind of told Alabama. I'm like, okay, like, you know, anything with team Ken, I gotta do like, I gotta do it. That's just kind of like no brainer. I have to do it. And like, okay, we respect that. Cause, you know, like, we let some guys go up there to do their national team stuff. So. Yeah, so that's good. [00:46:18] Speaker B: I feel like your family, the bediaco name has played probably for. Maybe the Edgem family might be close. You guys are like competing in terms of like, how many times you guys. [00:46:26] Speaker A: You know, my sister, she's actually about to do team Canada, I think. Yeah, her. She was at Georgia Tech. I think now her head coach now is coaching the women's team. So she said she's probably gonna. She'll see. She'll do later now. But yeah, I'm not gonna lie our last name. And I didn't know Edgems their family. Yeah, it's pretty good. [00:46:44] Speaker B: I feel like it's up there. I gotta probably ask somebody at Canada basketball What families represented Canada the most? Definitely gotta ask, because I feel like it's close. We were talking about the FIBA U19. The last time that roster medaled. We're playing again this summer. I believe the last time they medaled was you, Zach. Edie, Matheran, at least on the, the World Cup. Matheran, Ryan Nemhard. Caleb Houston, Omax. Like, what I'm thinking about that roster. [00:47:13] Speaker A: What a squad. [00:47:14] Speaker B: What a squad, right? [00:47:15] Speaker A: What a squad. [00:47:16] Speaker B: What do you remember about that team? [00:47:18] Speaker A: I mean, well, for one, for me, that was like kind of my first year. Like, okay, this is my first year with my age group, because I never played my age group. It was always a year up or two years up. So I was really excited. It was kind of my first year playing guys I played with, you know, obviously seeing how everybody's growing, you know, Ryan, like you said, Caleb, Zach, damn, everybody. I can't say. I mean, even. We also had some young guys like Elijah Fisher came up with us. Ben Omax. It was just. It was, it was super fun because we all just like, kind of knew each other and mingled well. So, I mean, no, it was great. I was kind of happy. Like, that last under underage group year, that was kind of like. Like, that was with my brothers, you know, it was great. And half those guys, we all met in, like, junior academy, so it was kind of easy just to see him again. Just like, yo, like, how's everything? Like, everything's all cool, man. [00:48:04] Speaker B: So I was asked, how often do you guys keep in touch? And a lot of NBA talent on there, man. I was like, how special is that group? Because I feel like us, the people that watch, like, say, the U19s, the U18s, we're like, damn, we had a good. Like, that was a golden. Like, those rosters were really talented. And now we're like, why can't we meddle no more? Like, what's going on? What are, what are your thoughts on that? Like, or was that group just special? Because when I was talking to Ryan Emhard about it, he's like, man, when you look at that team, man, I don't know if we'll ever see a team like that again. So. [00:48:36] Speaker A: Nah, I'm not gonna lie. He's not lying. There's a lot of stars on that team. Like, all the guys you listed was Zach, Omax, Ben, Caleb, Ryan, myself, like, yeah, I don't even know if you're gonna see a team like that again. But honestly, like, even that team Canada team that won, what was it that I Forgot what NBA that was. I think that was the time they beat Team USA in the semifinals. And it was so big, it happened. [00:49:02] Speaker B: That was RJ Barrett, right? RJ Barrett, 2017s, like kind of. [00:49:05] Speaker A: My brother didn't play for 17 weeks. [00:49:07] Speaker B: That was 2017, I believe. [00:49:08] Speaker A: Had to have been. Yeah. Like even with 19. Yeah, yeah. Like, I mean, they didn't have, like they had players, but a lot of. [00:49:14] Speaker B: Guys jumped out of that team. [00:49:15] Speaker A: But a lot of guys didn't play with that team, man. Honestly, I think it's just. It's just when you show up for that day, honestly, I feel like they can even still do it now. Maybe I don't really know what it's about, but, you know, I just feel like whatever teammate is just whatever team faders show up that day, anything could happen. [00:49:31] Speaker B: No, for real, we talk about Ryan Nemhard. He's obviously going through the pre draft process now. You've played with them, you play, right? [00:49:38] Speaker A: Yeah. You play play Team Canada. I did play Global Jam with him too. Yeah. Yeah. [00:49:43] Speaker B: We don't forget that. What are your thoughts on him? Just as a point guard and just obviously he's going through the process. He's kind of in the middle where might get drafted. I feel like similar situation as you, but very talented too, right. Where it's like this guy, um. I feel like any team would die for a point guard like that that can pass the ball. [00:50:05] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. [00:50:06] Speaker B: Leading the NCAA in assist. Tell me, just obviously you spent a lot of time with him and what are your thoughts on him as a point guard? [00:50:11] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, that's my little bro. I definitely would say he was definitely. He's definitely one of, if not probably my favorite point guys to play with. He actually kind of trained me to like, keep up with him because he also played soccer. I didn't know that. And he was just like always quick coming up the floor. And me and his, like our duo is just ball screen. He comes down, he comes down the pick and roll quick. And I roll out quick. Gotta stop me or him. If you stop him, lob to me. You stop me. He gets a layup or a dunk if he feels like it. I mean, with a guy like him, I think a lot of people are like, he could pass that ball. And he kind of reminded me of my teammate at Alabama, J.D. davidson. You know, a lot of people seen him as like the highlights and the dunking and stuff. Like, he was also a really great passer, you know, And I feel like with Ryan, like any Team. You're lucky to have him. Like, he just sees the floor. Like his older brother. Like Andrew, he sees the floor. I mean, he can also score, too, you know, So, I mean, hey, whatever team gets him, they're gonna be lucky to have him, you know, there's a time I gotta play him this upcoming season, whatever team. I'm gonna make sure I get a scouting report for whoever guarding him and tell him how it's gonna work out, but he'll be just fine. I've been seeing this stuff. [00:51:16] Speaker B: I need a block. If he tries to go up on you. [00:51:19] Speaker A: Oh, man. He's been telling me since au, I'm a dunk on you. I'm. Like I said, all right, bro. But, yeah, that's not happening. [00:51:26] Speaker B: Last thing from the U19, favorite memory that you remember from that team or a moment or anything like that? [00:51:33] Speaker A: I would probably say just getting a track, just kind of seeing everybody. Even when the team was still being made. Like, even training camp, I'd probably say that was my favorite memory. Just seeing everybody who grew up with it. And, you know, we were at Mount Vert, and we were just working out together, bonding with each other. I think that was probably my favorite memory. Just. Everybody just jumped together, and we're all like, oh, we're all on one team together, you know? Like, that's so dope, man. [00:51:55] Speaker B: And you guys spent time with the senior team, too, I'm guessing, right? [00:51:57] Speaker A: Yeah, me. Who was it? Me, Benedict, and Laws. I think it was just me and Ben. [00:52:05] Speaker B: Maybe Edie. I don't know. [00:52:06] Speaker A: Yes. Zach. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Me, Benedict, and Zach from the senior team. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, you could tell him, too. I was knocking down three. Like, we were going through offense, like, down and up. Obviously, everybody's watching. I think I was not missing a corner three in front of Nick Nerdis. I'm like, all right, I'm cool. I'm cool, man. So it was good. [00:52:22] Speaker B: No, that's crazy. Obviously, Canada was just the Olympics this past year. This is where we get into my. Probably my favorite part just in terms of asking you, Canada at the Olympics this past year. Right. I feel like they were missing a big. What were your thoughts on just, like, watching that Canada team? I don't want to get you in trouble, but watching Canada, Olympics, what are your thoughts? [00:52:46] Speaker A: Man, I thought we had it. I really did. I guess just continue to play together, you know? Yeah, yeah. We were missing some pieces, but, you know, obviously. No, I mean, I talk with Rowan, so, you know, he said, yeah, like the next element that comes up, like, you're gonna be a part of that. I said, yeah, at this point, I'm making my comeback, you know. You know, just say whatever I can do to help the team. [00:53:11] Speaker B: I was gonna ask you your interest. Is it in the near future? Like, what's that look like, fiba America? I don't know. Obviously you got. I feel like you're probably gonna play summer league. Is that the plan? What's the plan? [00:53:22] Speaker A: Yeah. Yes. Yes, I'm gonna play summer league. So I'm really just king for that Olympics. The next Olympics. I'm really getting ready for that. Or I mean, if anything pops up, you might just see me. You might just see me over there. I might just pop over there. But yeah, not definitely really aiming for that Olympics for sure, you know, because one just getting to represent my country. And also because how my games been growing so far, I feel like I'll be ready to help the older guys out, you know, for sure. [00:53:49] Speaker B: I was gonna ask how often are you chatting with, like we said, Rowan Meeks about expressing your interest and what's been that relationship like over the years? [00:53:58] Speaker A: Oh, it's been good. Obviously, I mean, everybody gets busy at times. So I would say, I mean, obviously when Rowan sees me, that's when we talk the most. You know, it's just like when I see him, it's like we've been talking forever. I've seen him at the airport one time. I'm just trying to travel to my next team and I just see him at the airport and we just start chopping it up. Meeks, I talked to him for sure, it is not about putting stuff into stocks. We'll talk about Team Canada, but nah, he's been good. And just that relationship that we've had as he was my big man coach, kind of how I just kind of got into it. It's been good, you know, and he just checks out, making sure I'm still doing the things I gotta do, you know, and just says, anytime you need anything, just let me know. And I still even pop. I even go watch the under you team's training. What's the team that's traveling right now? U16. I popped up just to watch them scrimmage a little bit, you know, even chopped it up over there. So he said, you know, whenever, just get ready, you know, because Olympia is coming up and, you know. Yeah, I said, yeah, don't worry about it. I'll be there. I'll be there for sure. [00:55:02] Speaker B: So huge discussion Obviously, about Canada's lack of size. Big man. When you hear that, like, what's your. What's your thoughts? And, like, obviously, the Olympics, it feels like it was missing. What are your thoughts on, like, potentially filling that role and that missing gap? [00:55:18] Speaker A: Oh, honestly, I didn't know that was even a saying. I thought we were good. We have Zach, Oliver, myself. I mean, shoot. I mean, we got hype, but I think it could be filled for sure. You know, it's cool there. Just do some stuff with that. But. Nah, I mean, I'm excited. I know. Also, I feel like Zach is. Zach definitely wants to come back and do the Olympics, so, you know, be good to play with him again. And. Yeah, and obviously, Oliver, he's doing his thing at Florida, and. Yeah, and obviously, you know, my older vets, Nicholson, you know, he decides I wanted to do it. Yeah, it'll be good, Kelly. You know, guys who want to come. [00:55:55] Speaker B: Back, I was asking, what do you feel like you could add, maybe that's different. Or just, like, watching it be like, I could help here or. [00:56:03] Speaker A: I didn't get to watch it that much until the game they lost. I'm not gonna lie. Actually, I was. I was actually in Vegas. I was sitting on the tv. I think we were watching them play against Team usa. I probably would say. I mean, I could definitely bring. I guess I want to say speed. Just pushing the pace, you know, if I gotta bring the ball up, I'll bring it up. Just to initiate the offense, you know, obviously having. Instead of just passing the. The point guard. And now my big. He's just kind of trolleying back. I just want to keep him on his toes. I feel like I just bring just speed and tempo to it and just length, you know, whether I can alter a shot, tip a rebound to somebody else. Just being a hard hat, you know? Yeah. And obviously being a lob threat, too. [00:56:44] Speaker B: Yeah, lob threat, definitely. [00:56:45] Speaker A: Gotta add that. Gotta add that. [00:56:46] Speaker B: Can't forget that. What do you feel like? Party game, you're focusing on now. Obviously, you've been working out, spending a lot of time in the city. What have you been honing in on? [00:56:57] Speaker A: I want to say just overall, everything, obviously, for the physical side, just my body. And that's. And that's coming as. As I always say. But yeah, just kind of overall everything. My passing, ball handling and the pick and rolls. Kind of just like getting into my guard shooting as well. Free throws just a little bit. Everything, you know, just continuing to build my motor. Cause I think that last two months from February to the end of my season is kind of like where I seen it. And I was actually doing chapel. That was actually that starting time. We had it, but obviously sometimes the game was so early, like, I wouldn't think to do it. But when February, I kind of just started. You know, I do chapel with two of my teammates before we get on that court. And then, you know, I guess everything just kind of fell into place, you know, by God's hands. And, you know, I give him most of that credit, you know, just having like a strong season, end up playing a double double, you know. [00:57:47] Speaker B: So, yeah, yeah, I felt like that from February onwards, feel like you had to double, double every game. [00:57:52] Speaker A: Yeah, I think my brother sent me this one article. It said like, I average in the last five or six games, I averaged 13 points and 16 rebounds. I was like, oh, so, yeah. So I'm like, all right, cool. You know, just keep, keep this tempo up, keep this confidence up and, you know, whatever happens, happens. And I want to say probably was also just like, you know, just playing. You know, sometimes I would overthink a little bit, but especially the second year, the way it went, I'm like, you know what? Basketball's game of mistakes. It's really whoever makes the least mistakes, you know, take a shot that you're comfortable taking. Take them, take them. The three ball, I take them. You know, probably knowing everything that you're working on it. But, you know, I pick and pop, you know, I'm like, you know, I've taken the shot so many times in practice, I'm like, yo, like, I'm take one. And I seen the first one fall in, had that kind of rush. I'm like, damn, this is how guards feel, you know. So I said, all right, I'm going to take another one. And then, you know, it was all cool. So, you know, so yeah, just continue to add on to that. [00:58:44] Speaker B: Now the form looking good too, for. Thanks for selling. [00:58:47] Speaker A: I appreciate that. Hey, man, I'm trying. [00:58:49] Speaker B: Hey, man, so you need to tap in. I was gonna ask what's next for you? Plans? We talked about summer league. What's the next hour? We're in some of Leagues like what, July 10th? [00:58:59] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:58:59] Speaker B: Tell me about next plans. What does it look like maybe the next few months for you? [00:59:03] Speaker A: Next few months, just training, you know, I'll probably. Probably just travel up to la, get some training in and it kind of just go from there. But yeah, we'll be playing summer league and you, whatever team that is with, you know, just kind of everybody Else, just working hard, just doing the good stuff, you know, just, you know, whatever team, you know, is ready to sit and talk, go from there. [00:59:24] Speaker B: I'm excited. Hopefully I'll be at summer league again this year and I'll tap in. [00:59:28] Speaker A: Yeah. Tap in again. Yeah. [00:59:31] Speaker B: I want to ask end off because I feel like your journey's been. I feel like a lot of people can look at and be like, I want to do this. I want to follow in Charles's footsteps. What's your advice, maybe for players coming up and seeing you, seeing where you've gotten and. Biggest advice for them coming up? [00:59:52] Speaker A: Yeah, just one. Have a good circle around you. For sure. I would say that was. I don't talk about that enough, but that definitely does help. Just having a big circle. Well, I guess a small circle around you. People that you trust that won't, like, lead you astray, you know. And I mean, just keep working. I think for me, if God didn't put me in the positions, like being with Uplay and then just traveling to the US just so scouts can even just look at me first, I feel like if I didn't get the opportunity, I probably wouldn't know where I'd be right now. So I probably just say, just keep working hard. You know, I'm a little biased. Tap in with uplay, you know, if you're good. Hey, tap in with uplay, man, you know? You know, we'll help you out and. Yeah, man. And I also just say, just keep working. Like that's really all it is. Like, you know, they'll find you, you know. Yeah, that's pretty much. [01:00:41] Speaker B: I can really say you mentioned you play. I feel like every year there's a guy entering the draft. Thoughts on Will Riley? I'm guessing you've watched him a bit. [01:00:47] Speaker A: That's my boy, man. Yeah, I think last year, Last year in the summer, before I went to San Antonio training camp, me, me, him and obviously Mike and Dwayne, we was up in la. Not la. I lied. We're up in Arizona. He's working out. No, but Will's good, man. Great kid. You know, I watch. I watched his Illinois game, so I'm excited for him. Happy for him, too. I'm also just really excited to see, you know, him just prove the people wrong. Honestly, personally, I feel like he should. Just started the whole season in Illinois, but, you know, hey, hey, man. [01:01:18] Speaker B: But, hey, politics. [01:01:19] Speaker A: Hey, but he's doing his thing, though. [01:01:21] Speaker B: He's doing his thing. First round pick. [01:01:22] Speaker A: Yo, easy. [01:01:24] Speaker B: I just had a story on him that came out on the Toronto start, but yeah, actually the NBA draft doing like a story on him getting drafted, that kind of stuff. So I'm excited to watch his development and. And I think he's going to be one of the guys that people look at and be like, should have went higher. [01:01:37] Speaker A: Exactly. He's one of those old sleepers in the draft and. Yeah, and he will be. Him, him and Ryan. [01:01:42] Speaker B: Yep, 100%. Charles, my guy, I can't thank you enough for coming on. Appreciate you and yeah, anything how people connect with you, man. Also Instagram. [01:01:56] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, yeah. [01:01:57] Speaker B: Tap in with. [01:01:57] Speaker A: Yeah, little Instagram underscore. Charlesbirco. First name, last name. Yeah, I mean, you shoot. You see, you see what goes on over there, man? Just, you know, motivational quotes and, you know, just kind of following my life story. [01:02:11] Speaker B: Hell yeah, man. I'm excited to follow the rest of your career, especially with Canada basketball. [01:02:15] Speaker A: Yes. Oh, when I. When I get to Canada basketball, I'll make sure I hit you up like. Yep. So it's done. I like Canada basketball. I'm here. Rome. [01:02:22] Speaker B: Barrett, if you're hearing this man, Charles Bertiaco, he's ready for the 2028 Olympics. He signed it here. He confirmed it. I'm excited for that. It's going to be a good time. [01:02:33] Speaker A: I know. Thank you, man. My first purse podcast. I actually enjoy this a lot. Thank you, guys. [01:02:37] Speaker B: Nah, this was fun, man. [01:02:38] Speaker A: Sure, man. Thank you. [01:02:38] Speaker B: But, yeah, thank you, Charles, for coming on. You've been listening to the Canadian basketball show, your go to spot for list news stories and analysis on Canadian basketball. I've been your host, Lee Ben Osman.