Team Canada Basketball Thread V3.0

[DreamTeam09]

Word on the street is Calipari is leaning towards playing Shaedon Sharpe in 2nd half for Kentucky. This assumes conditioning and grasping the concepts quick enough. I suspect it may need an injury or something similar to give an excuse.

Would that make him draft eligible this year ??

If so, it'd be hard for him to climb the ranks of the board unless he goes ham. If he's eligible, we gotta get him somehow

[ItsDanger]

Word on the street is Calipari is leaning towards playing Shaedon Sharpe in 2nd half for Kentucky. This assumes conditioning and grasping the concepts quick enough. I suspect it may need an injury or something similar to give an excuse.

Would that make him draft eligible this year ??

If so, it'd be hard for him to climb the ranks of the board unless he goes ham. If he's eligible, we gotta get him somehow

Not sure, there are rumours. He will qualify in age. But its supposed to be a full season after high school. So his time at Dream City? the first term was what exactly? I would guess it hinges on when he actually graduated. I recall Diallo having something similar? Or maybe someone else. I heard Sharpe was committed to 22/23 at Kentucky though. But things change when $ are on the line.

[mojo13]

Sam Vecenie’s NBA Mock Draft 4.0:
6. Bennedict Mathurin
27. Caleb Houstan


Mathurin - has him as an All-American. Playing outstanding, great profile for a shot making NBA wing. Terrific shooter. Added the ability to create of the bounce in closeouts. Defensively solid but not a difference maker. Profiles as a solid starting NBA wing with upside as a plus-starter

Houstan - having a tough year. 51 TS%. Hasn't looked comfortable or confident. Not ready for speed of the game and is rushing. Not a crazy athlete but good feel with the ball in his hands. Needs to be able to operate at own pace. He notes that Houstan is looking like a multi-year player but has shown enough flashes to stay in the 1st rd.

And mentions Zach Edey’s absence is because he is not yet convinced Edey declares. Admits it’s very speculative at this stage.
Personally I think Edey is pretty unique and hard to project, so Sam is being careful here and covering his butt. He is not saying Edey would not be drafted if he declared.


https://theathletic.com/3048313/2022/01/06/2022-nba-mock-draft-4-0-jabari-smith-jr-leaps-to-no-1-but-team-with-top-pick-might-matter-more-than-ever/?source=emp_shared_article

[BilboBanginz]

Another incredible game for Mathurin.
27 Pts (10/16 FGs), 6 Rbs, 2 Asts

Watch on YouTube

Also Zach Edey had another great game despite the loss.
24 Pts (10/17 FGs), 10 Rbs, 2 Asts

Watch on YouTube

Bilbo, thanks for posting. How do you get access to these videos? As far as I can tell, they are not available on a simple Google search.

I think I had to filter my Youtube search to "last 24 hours" in order to find them.

[Hair Canada]

Brandon Clarke is back!

After an off-year, he's back to his marvelous rookie season shape and in some respects even better. Compared with his rookie season he plays fewer minutes but has (per 100 possessions) more points, rebounds, assists, and blocks, with fewer turnovers, shooting better from the 2 and from the field. The only two figures that have not recovered have to do with the shooting, from the line and from 3. The hitch in his shot is still there and he cannot buy a 3 this year (2 of 15).

And he's also improving significantly by the month:

October: 4.2ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.0apg, 0.4bpg
November: 8.8, 4.9, 1.5, 1.0
December: 10.4, 4.4, 1.2, 1.0
January: 14.4, 7.6, 1.6, 1.6

His rise coincides with Memphis' fantastic run. Since November 28 they won 19 games and lost only 4.

[ItsDanger]

Read on Twitter

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/shaedon-sharpe-update-john-calipari-tennessee/

Read on Twitter

Sharpe is projected top 5 pick in 2023 but gets hardly any media coverage here.

[BigDocta898]

Read on Twitter

https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/shaedon-sharpe-update-john-calipari-tennessee/

Read on Twitter

Sharpe is projected top 5 pick in 2023 but gets hardly any media coverage here.

Bc he's from London and not the GTA , he had to outplay all the gta kids by miles just too earn a spot on the jr national teams and the coaches still just catered to Houston and nemhard all tournament even tho sharpe was clearly the most talented on the team

[mojo13]

I'm pretty skeptical on that.

Shaedon Sharpe only played the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Brazil. He averaged 13 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, in 21 minutes. He was a key piece of that team (3rd leading scorer). Sure Caleb Houstan was featured but he played awesome and deserved it. Houstan 2nd in the tournament in scoring at 23pg (what a complete disaster he has been at Michigan - and something I'd like to hear the forums thoughts on).

Sharpe wasn't really highly regarded at that time as a prospect (athletic but not that skilled). Remember he was outside any major highschool ranking top 100 until a year ago. His rise was meteoric and should be a much bigger story in Canada just in itself (I recall it caught almost all of us off guard and surprised). The speed of his rise was probably too quick for mainstream media to catch on in Canada. They seem to need a Youtube mix tape of a 13 year proclaiming they are the best 13 year old in the world for them to pay attention. I joke, but we all know it is partially true. The Canadian media doesn't follow highschool basketball too closely and they like a known entity, an already built brand to help them. It is their business model - they need it to get clicks if they are going to write about it. And thus guys like Elijah Fisher get overhyped and Shaedon Sharpe go under the radar. The media can still get way more clicks on Fisher than Sharpe even today. One of the mainstream writers lamented to me about this. They want to write on these lesser know highschool players but they can't get the clicks. But if they write on a highschool Barrett, Wiggins, Fisher and they get the attention.

Further this midseason move to UK was non-traditional and under the radar. I still think many have no idea he may play minutes any day now. I still see Tweets from Canadian media or basketball community folks along the line of "Whaaaaat?!?! Shaedon Sharpe is at Kentucky? When did this happen?"

[mojo13]

In SMNT news the 2nd Window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers for Canada will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (vs DR Feb 26 & USVI Feb 27). I'm 98% sure these were originally scheduled to be held in Canada. Seems like Canada is nervous about hosting games in February and either just totally gave away their home games to be played in a "bubble" in DR. Or this is a swap of home/away games and our home games against USVI and DR are going to be in July?

https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/americas-qualifiers/news/host-cities-confirmed-for-the-second-window-of-fiba-basketball-world-cup-2023-americas-qualifiers

Either way I don;t see this as great news for Canada as DR is well matched with our "winter core". I'd rather face DR at home this February & have the NBA "summer core" face them in DR in July. Hopefully this is a true schedule swap & we see the NBA "summer core" at home in July - which will certainly be a bigger ticket draw. This is really stupid if they just gave away their home games only to play again in DR/USVI in July.

If I was DR, I'd accept a swap thinking DR has a better shot beating Canada at home in February and an unlikely shot in July vs NBA players no matter where it is held.


One solace is that I think this current SMNT group is a much better balanced team. Alexander, Wiltjer, T Scrubb, P Scrubb, Chery, Robertson are a core 6 that I think fit really well together. Much better than imbalanced past versions that went 2-2 vs DR since 2018 (WC & AmeriCup Qualifiers). Canada held home court, but lost both in DR (granted the NBA picked up one of the wins).

Canada also has plenty of worthy and experienced vets to deepen that core. Trae Bell Haynes, Kaza Kajami Keane, Melvin Ejim, Johnny Berhanemeskel, Conor Morgan etc.

[Bruin]

Probably going top 5

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[ItsDanger]

I'm pretty skeptical on that.

Shaedon Sharpe only played the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Brazil. He averaged 13 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, in 21 minutes. He was a key piece of that team (3rd leading scorer). Sure Caleb Houstan was featured but he played awesome and deserved it. Houstan 2nd in the tournament in scoring at 23pg (what a complete disaster he has been at Michigan - and something I'd like to hear the forums thoughts on).

Sharpe wasn't really highly regarded at that time as a prospect (athletic but not that skilled). Remember he was outside any major highschool ranking top 100 until a year ago. His rise was meteoric and should be a much bigger story in Canada just in itself (I recall it caught almost all of us off guard and surprised). The speed of his rise was probably too quick for mainstream media to catch on in Canada. They seem to need a Youtube mix tape of a 13 year proclaiming they are the best 13 year old in the world for them to pay attention. I joke, but we all know it is partially true. The Canadian media doesn't follow highschool basketball too closely and they like a known entity, an already built brand to help them. It is their business model - they need it to get clicks if they are going to write about it. And thus guys like Elijah Fisher get overhyped and Shaedon Sharpe go under the radar. The media can still get way more clicks on Fisher than Sharpe even today. One of the mainstream writers lamented to me about this. They want to write on these lesser know highschool players but they can't get the clicks. But if they write on a highschool Barrett, Wiggins, Fisher and they get the attention.

Further this midseason move to UK was non-traditional and under the radar. I still think many have no idea he may play minutes any day now. I still see Tweets from Canadian media or basketball community folks along the line of "Whaaaaat?!?! Shaedon Sharpe is at Kentucky? When did this happen?"

Only seen Houstan once, just seems to be struggling with pace of game at next level. Usage only 19%, don't like their PG play. Shooting splits:

Home : 49/43/88
Away : 27/22/65

[mojo13]

The Shaedon Sharpe news is huge.

Still lots of speculation on if he plays this season for UK, if he declares this summer, if he is eligible for the draft (still not a sure thing) or if he returns next season.

Best insight I've seen on it is Sam Vecenies Athletic article. Much more complicated than I anticipated.

https://theathletic.com/3083411/2022/01/20/whats-next-for-kentucky-shaedon-sharpe-with-nba-draft-decision-looming/

[SharoneWright]

nbadraft.net has dropped Houstan completely from the 2022 draft. I assume they think he's staying in school now. mojo cited Sam Vecenie saying the same thing 2 weeks ago... I suppose if Raps are really high on him and end up dropping in the draft, we could make him a promise. We'd have to really like him though. Definite gamble.

[mojo13]

nbadraft.net has dropped Houstan completely from the 2022 draft. I assume they think he's staying in school now. mojo cited Sam Vecenie saying the same thing 2 weeks ago... I suppose if Raps are really high on him and end up dropping in the draft, we could make him a promise. We'd have to really like him though. Definite gamble.

See him drop out completely on some other mocks too.



Also hearing some rumblings about Leonard Miller as a potential for the 2022 NBA draft.
He is a November birthday and will turn 19 this calendar year so he is eligible by that standard.
He supposedly he graduated prior to the NBA season start and this is his "post graduate" year at Fort Erie. That I can't verify but wonder if any of the rest of you know or have heard anything similar.

Got to think he could easily be picked up in the 2nd round and developed in the G from some team with foresight.

[NotMyKawhi]

The Shaedon Sharpe news is huge.

Still lots of speculation on if he plays this season for UK, if he declares this summer, if he is eligible for the draft (still not a sure thing) or if he returns next season.

Best insight I've seen on it is Sam Vecenies Athletic article. Much more complicated than I anticipated.

https://theathletic.com/3083411/2022/01/20/whats-next-for-kentucky-shaedon-sharpe-with-nba-draft-decision-looming/

If you were to rank the best Canadian prospects going into college after their senior year, where would Shaedon rank?

1. Wiggins
2. Barrett
3. Shaedon
4. Jamal
5. bennett

[mojo13]

As far as ranking services go (rivals, 24/7 and ESPN).

1. Wiggins
2 Barrett
3 Sharpe

All were number 1 in their class with Sharpe less heralded.

Bennett was in the 7-9 range in his class.
Murray and Houstan were a wee bit behind in the 9-10 range and Tristan Thompson in the 10-12 range.

I think thats the crew that were Top 10 ish in their class. Might be missing someone.

[NotMyKawhi]

As far as ranking services go (rivals, 24/7 and ESPN).

1. Wiggins
2 Barrett
3 Sharpe

All were number 1 in their class with Sharpe less heralded.

Bennett was in the 7-9 range in his class.
Murray and Houstan were a wee bit behind in the 9-10 range and Tristan Thompson in the 10-12 range.

I think thats the crew that were Top 10 ish in their class. Might be missing someone.

cojo 16, tristian 10, myck 11, birch 12, lyles 6, Houstan 8

but wiggins and barrett were both #1 in stacked classes. it's gonna be hard to beat that in the future

[Hair Canada]

Starting to write some for On Point. For those interested, here's part (out of 4) of my review of the future of Canadian Basketball in the paint. Starting with the pros:

https://www.onpointbasketball.com/the-future-of-canadian-basketball-in-the-paint-part-1/

[GoRaptors]

Starting to write some for On Point. For those interested, here's part (out of 4) of my review of the future of Canadian Basketball in the paint. Starting with the pros:

https://www.onpointbasketball.com/the-future-of-canadian-basketball-in-the-paint-part-1/

Great article. Glad that your work is being published.

[aminiaturebuddha]

Starting to write some for On Point. For those interested, here's part (out of 4) of my review of the future of Canadian Basketball in the paint. Starting with the pros:

https://www.onpointbasketball.com/the-future-of-canadian-basketball-in-the-paint-part-1/

Great stuff, Hair. And good choice to focus on the bigs. This has been an issue for a while now at all levels. I still remember a decent U-19 team (led by Dillon Brooks) blitzing through the 2015 World's until they got smoked by a Croatia team in the quarters because we couldn't figure out how to stop them inside.

Definitely agree that Alexander seemed to fit in perfectly in those qualifying games against the Bahamas. As you said, he was exactly what we were looking for. I'm not sure that I'm ready to say that he's in strong consideration for a spot on the team when the NBA guys are there yet, though, until I see it against some higher caliber opposition. But it was a great start.

Kabengele has been one of my bigger disappointments as a Canadian prospect, in part because I was so high on him. I was fairly convinced that the skills he flashed at Florida State a both ends of the court, along with his size, and what seemed like a passion for the game, were going to make him a "first big off the bench"-type player in the NBA at minimum. That obviously hasn't happened. But you're right, a move to Europe might be the best thing for him, and might put him in position to be an important player for the program for those windows when others aren't available. Hopefully the program is still working on recruiting him. A few good games with the National Team might even help to showcase him for prospective employers in Europe.