Dalano Banton leading Senior Team Canada in the FIBA America championship
Posted: Thu Sep 1, 2022 3:55 pm
The Americup, the official basketball championship of the Americas (a once-every-4-years event), starts tomorrow in Brazil
Accodring to FIBA, this is "the most prestigious competition for senior men's basketball in the Americas".
But you wouldn't know it by checking the Canadian mainstream media. In fact, you might not even know that this is happening. And actually, there a good reason for that. Because Canada Basketball itself doesn't take the event seriously since it no longer functions as an Olympics qualifier.
A comparison to the Eurobasket, which starts today, is quite disheartening. More than 40 NBA players are going to play in the Eurobasket next month. Among them are the NBA MVPs over the last 4 years, as well as the favorite for MVP next year (Doncic). Many of these players will be in training camps and then playing for about a month and a half. A real bonding experience and then some tough competition, gaining invaluable FIBA experience, though most of them already have much more of it than the Canadians. They take their basketball seriously in Europe.
But the same is by and large true for the American teams (other than the US and Canada), who will mostly be suiting up with their best available squads, even if most of them do not have NBA players. Argentina, as a case in point, will be bringing their A-team, including Campazzo, Bolmaro, Deck, Laprovittola, Vildoza, Delia, and even 40-years-old Carlos Delfino, the lone survivor from the Argentinian golden generation.
Unfortunately, here in Canada, we decided to take our cue from the US rather than from the rest of the world (including most of the American teams), and all but ignore this competition. Only we're not the US. Canada basketball does not have any achievements on the world stage. This is also an official FIBA event with ranking points that could have helped Canada in avoiding groups of death in the WC. With a strong team including NBA players, we would have a very good chance to beat the likes of Argentina, Brazil, and also the #1-ranked US and to amass ranking points, in addition to grabbing a medal.
But no.
I'll get to the Canadian roster for the completion in a minute, but this is far from the best team we could have put for this event. First, we decided to let go of the NBA guys. So no Shai, Murray, Wiggins, Barrett with his new contract, Brooks, Dort, Olynyk, Powell, or any of the others. But it doesn't end there. Canada has also decided to give a pass to just about anyone with any FIBA experience. gone are the likes of Kevin Pangos, the Scrubb brothers, Melvin Ejim, Kyle Alexander, Kyle Wiltjer, Kassius Robertson, and many other good trusted players with plenty of experience, who could have been medal contenders.
Instead, Canada decided to use this as sort of a booster for the CEBL, the emerging Canadian basketball league. But even at that, the final roster is not very impressive. First, the ten leading scorers in the CEBL (10 games or more) are not even Canadians. Among the Canadians, I would say that the top 10 Canadians in the league this year were probably Robertson, Johnny B., Lawson, Mike, the Scrubb brothers, Best, Agada, Alexander, and Bandoo. Of these, only Bandoo, the youngest and least experienced of the bunch, is on this team.
In short, it's not just that we're not showing up with our A-team here. It's not even our B or C team. Perhaps our F team? There are maybe 2 players that I would rank as top-60 Canadians at this point in time.
Even if the decision is to use this as a developmental opportunity, one could think of better options. If Banton can be there, then why not other young not-yet-established NBA or fringe NBA guys? Imagine a team that includes the following (I'm excluding NBA rookies like Mathurin, Sharpe, and Nembhard, as this is not realistic): Banton, Primo, Lawson, Wigginton, Kabengele, Shittu, Omoruyi, and Darling, sprinkled with some experienced shooters in Stauskas and Mulder, perhaps also including a few college guys like Edey, Bediako, and the Miller brothers. Now, that's a team I could have gotten excited about...
And now back to reality. What do we have here?
Here's a quick look at the final roster:
GUARDS:
Dalano Banton (6'7 PG, 22yo, Toronto Raptors). No introductions are needed. The best and most talented player on this team, who's made a very nice jump this year with the Raptors and the 905. The shooting and decision making is still inconsistent, but he should lead this team in minutes, points, and assists (maybe even rebounds) and Canada will go as far as he can carry it. One interesting fact though: this will be the first time that Banton plays for any Canadian team (youth or senior). So it's a nice get to have him suit up and hopefully, he'll have a good experience.
Trae Bell-Haynes (6'2 PG, 26to, Buducnost). The second-best player on the team and the only one with significant FIBA experience at a decent level (including some playing time with the senior Team Canada). A nice PG who can play alongside Banton and provide scoring, playmaking, and defense at a good level. Had a breakout year in Germany a year ago and last year played in the strong Spanish league. A good shooter, who can also get into the paint and finish nicely with contact.
Devonte Bandoo (6'2 SG, 25yo, Edmonton Stingers). After a nice college career (ending in Baylor), Bandoo played really well in the CEBL this season, finishing as one of the best scorers among Canadians in the league (16ppg). A very good shooter (43% from 3), who can also provide a bit of playmaking.
Kadre Gray (6'1 PG, 24yo, Fraser Valley Bandits). The former MVP of Usports (the Canadian basketball college league). Was dynamite at lower levels but still hasn't made the jump to consistently showing his abilities at the senior level. Provided nice playmaking and some scoring for the Bandits this year, but wasn't consistent. One of few players on this team with some experience with the senior national team.
Jahvon Blair (6'3 SG, 24yo, Newfoundland Growlers). After a nice college career at Georgetown under Patrick Ewing, Blair played in the CEBL this summer and showed what we saw from him throughout the years (including with the Canadian youth teams) -- a microwave scorer, who can get hot and score in bunches, but also often gets cold and doesn't always have the best shot selection. the former MVP of the Biosteel game, only shot 28% from 3 this year in the CEBL, which is not encouraging given that shooting should be his calling card on this team. On a given day, he could still provide some hot scoring from the bench.
Jaylen Babb Harrison (6'4 shooting guard, 29yo, Niagara River Lions). One of the players I'm less familiar with on this team. More mature that the other guards. played fairly well for the River Lions this year and shot the ball well from 3 (42%). One of the veterans of the CEBL, playing in all seasons of this league after finishing college at Eastern Kentucky. Seems like a decent role player.
WINGS
Abu Kigab (6'6 SF, 23yo, Niagara River Lions). One of my favorite guys on this team. RJ Barrett's partner in crime in bringing Canada its only gold medal ever at the U19 WC. A jack of all trades and a terrific defender, but there's also nothing that he does particularly well at the higher levels. The shooting is especially suspicious, as well as the decision-making. But he's a player I'd love to have playing with/for me and not against. Had a nice college career, first at Oregon and then at Boise State, playing especially well in his final game in the Big Dance. Things didn't look that good in the game last week with the Canadian senior team against Panama. Should still see big minutes on this team as our best wing player, providing rebounding, defense, and toughness.
Lloyd Pnadi (6'4 SF, 22yo, Carleton, Usports). The one guy on this team who is still fully in college (Canadian college). Helped lead his Canadian college powerhouse team to two championships and was selected twice as MVP of the league. A powerful athlete who excels in transition and finishes well with contact. Also put his name for the NBA draft last year. But he lacks any experience at higher levels and it's hard to know how it's going to translate.
BIGS
Kalif Young (6'8 C, 22yo, Beyreuth, Germany). Probably the leading center on this team. Not very big but a good athlete who also has some much-needed FIBA experience. Not going to overwhelm anyone offensively, but a decent defender who plays well within the system. Got some minutes with the senior team last week and didn't look out of place.
Thomas Kennedy (6'9 C, 22yo, Fraser Valley Badnits). One of the nicer surprises in the CEBL this year. Started playing straight out of college and did not look out of place for a minute (15ppg and 8rpg). Not a high flyer, but has excellent footwork and touch around the rim, though he still needs to slow down sometimes, which will come with time. Very nice offensive skills. The defense still needs work.
Chad Posthumus (6'11 C, 31yo, Edmonton Stingers). A big body in the paint. Not the most talented or athletic, but strong and can rebound and handle other big guys.
Maurice Calloo (6'9 PF, 23yo, Guelph Nighthawks). A stretch-4 whose main calling card is shooting the 3s at a nice clip and percentage (38% in the CEBL this summer). Also plays college basketball at Oregon State, where he's had some highs but could not maintain consistency. On this Canadian team, he should help stretch the floor and open up the paint, as none of the other bigs is a capable shooter.
A bit about the tournament:
12 teams. Canada is in Group A with Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia. Not the strongest rivals, but it's really hard to know what to expect from this Canadian team with so much inexperience and youth, playing against guys who mostly have much more FIBA experience. I would not be surprised if this ends up with 3 losses, but let's hope for the best.
Starting tomorrow against the hosts, Brazil, at 19:10 ET.
Accodring to FIBA, this is "the most prestigious competition for senior men's basketball in the Americas".
But you wouldn't know it by checking the Canadian mainstream media. In fact, you might not even know that this is happening. And actually, there a good reason for that. Because Canada Basketball itself doesn't take the event seriously since it no longer functions as an Olympics qualifier.
A comparison to the Eurobasket, which starts today, is quite disheartening. More than 40 NBA players are going to play in the Eurobasket next month. Among them are the NBA MVPs over the last 4 years, as well as the favorite for MVP next year (Doncic). Many of these players will be in training camps and then playing for about a month and a half. A real bonding experience and then some tough competition, gaining invaluable FIBA experience, though most of them already have much more of it than the Canadians. They take their basketball seriously in Europe.
But the same is by and large true for the American teams (other than the US and Canada), who will mostly be suiting up with their best available squads, even if most of them do not have NBA players. Argentina, as a case in point, will be bringing their A-team, including Campazzo, Bolmaro, Deck, Laprovittola, Vildoza, Delia, and even 40-years-old Carlos Delfino, the lone survivor from the Argentinian golden generation.
Unfortunately, here in Canada, we decided to take our cue from the US rather than from the rest of the world (including most of the American teams), and all but ignore this competition. Only we're not the US. Canada basketball does not have any achievements on the world stage. This is also an official FIBA event with ranking points that could have helped Canada in avoiding groups of death in the WC. With a strong team including NBA players, we would have a very good chance to beat the likes of Argentina, Brazil, and also the #1-ranked US and to amass ranking points, in addition to grabbing a medal.
But no.
I'll get to the Canadian roster for the completion in a minute, but this is far from the best team we could have put for this event. First, we decided to let go of the NBA guys. So no Shai, Murray, Wiggins, Barrett with his new contract, Brooks, Dort, Olynyk, Powell, or any of the others. But it doesn't end there. Canada has also decided to give a pass to just about anyone with any FIBA experience. gone are the likes of Kevin Pangos, the Scrubb brothers, Melvin Ejim, Kyle Alexander, Kyle Wiltjer, Kassius Robertson, and many other good trusted players with plenty of experience, who could have been medal contenders.
Instead, Canada decided to use this as sort of a booster for the CEBL, the emerging Canadian basketball league. But even at that, the final roster is not very impressive. First, the ten leading scorers in the CEBL (10 games or more) are not even Canadians. Among the Canadians, I would say that the top 10 Canadians in the league this year were probably Robertson, Johnny B., Lawson, Mike, the Scrubb brothers, Best, Agada, Alexander, and Bandoo. Of these, only Bandoo, the youngest and least experienced of the bunch, is on this team.
In short, it's not just that we're not showing up with our A-team here. It's not even our B or C team. Perhaps our F team? There are maybe 2 players that I would rank as top-60 Canadians at this point in time.
Even if the decision is to use this as a developmental opportunity, one could think of better options. If Banton can be there, then why not other young not-yet-established NBA or fringe NBA guys? Imagine a team that includes the following (I'm excluding NBA rookies like Mathurin, Sharpe, and Nembhard, as this is not realistic): Banton, Primo, Lawson, Wigginton, Kabengele, Shittu, Omoruyi, and Darling, sprinkled with some experienced shooters in Stauskas and Mulder, perhaps also including a few college guys like Edey, Bediako, and the Miller brothers. Now, that's a team I could have gotten excited about...
And now back to reality. What do we have here?
Here's a quick look at the final roster:
GUARDS:
Dalano Banton (6'7 PG, 22yo, Toronto Raptors). No introductions are needed. The best and most talented player on this team, who's made a very nice jump this year with the Raptors and the 905. The shooting and decision making is still inconsistent, but he should lead this team in minutes, points, and assists (maybe even rebounds) and Canada will go as far as he can carry it. One interesting fact though: this will be the first time that Banton plays for any Canadian team (youth or senior). So it's a nice get to have him suit up and hopefully, he'll have a good experience.
Trae Bell-Haynes (6'2 PG, 26to, Buducnost). The second-best player on the team and the only one with significant FIBA experience at a decent level (including some playing time with the senior Team Canada). A nice PG who can play alongside Banton and provide scoring, playmaking, and defense at a good level. Had a breakout year in Germany a year ago and last year played in the strong Spanish league. A good shooter, who can also get into the paint and finish nicely with contact.
Devonte Bandoo (6'2 SG, 25yo, Edmonton Stingers). After a nice college career (ending in Baylor), Bandoo played really well in the CEBL this season, finishing as one of the best scorers among Canadians in the league (16ppg). A very good shooter (43% from 3), who can also provide a bit of playmaking.
Kadre Gray (6'1 PG, 24yo, Fraser Valley Bandits). The former MVP of Usports (the Canadian basketball college league). Was dynamite at lower levels but still hasn't made the jump to consistently showing his abilities at the senior level. Provided nice playmaking and some scoring for the Bandits this year, but wasn't consistent. One of few players on this team with some experience with the senior national team.
Jahvon Blair (6'3 SG, 24yo, Newfoundland Growlers). After a nice college career at Georgetown under Patrick Ewing, Blair played in the CEBL this summer and showed what we saw from him throughout the years (including with the Canadian youth teams) -- a microwave scorer, who can get hot and score in bunches, but also often gets cold and doesn't always have the best shot selection. the former MVP of the Biosteel game, only shot 28% from 3 this year in the CEBL, which is not encouraging given that shooting should be his calling card on this team. On a given day, he could still provide some hot scoring from the bench.
Jaylen Babb Harrison (6'4 shooting guard, 29yo, Niagara River Lions). One of the players I'm less familiar with on this team. More mature that the other guards. played fairly well for the River Lions this year and shot the ball well from 3 (42%). One of the veterans of the CEBL, playing in all seasons of this league after finishing college at Eastern Kentucky. Seems like a decent role player.
WINGS
Abu Kigab (6'6 SF, 23yo, Niagara River Lions). One of my favorite guys on this team. RJ Barrett's partner in crime in bringing Canada its only gold medal ever at the U19 WC. A jack of all trades and a terrific defender, but there's also nothing that he does particularly well at the higher levels. The shooting is especially suspicious, as well as the decision-making. But he's a player I'd love to have playing with/for me and not against. Had a nice college career, first at Oregon and then at Boise State, playing especially well in his final game in the Big Dance. Things didn't look that good in the game last week with the Canadian senior team against Panama. Should still see big minutes on this team as our best wing player, providing rebounding, defense, and toughness.
Lloyd Pnadi (6'4 SF, 22yo, Carleton, Usports). The one guy on this team who is still fully in college (Canadian college). Helped lead his Canadian college powerhouse team to two championships and was selected twice as MVP of the league. A powerful athlete who excels in transition and finishes well with contact. Also put his name for the NBA draft last year. But he lacks any experience at higher levels and it's hard to know how it's going to translate.
BIGS
Kalif Young (6'8 C, 22yo, Beyreuth, Germany). Probably the leading center on this team. Not very big but a good athlete who also has some much-needed FIBA experience. Not going to overwhelm anyone offensively, but a decent defender who plays well within the system. Got some minutes with the senior team last week and didn't look out of place.
Thomas Kennedy (6'9 C, 22yo, Fraser Valley Badnits). One of the nicer surprises in the CEBL this year. Started playing straight out of college and did not look out of place for a minute (15ppg and 8rpg). Not a high flyer, but has excellent footwork and touch around the rim, though he still needs to slow down sometimes, which will come with time. Very nice offensive skills. The defense still needs work.
Chad Posthumus (6'11 C, 31yo, Edmonton Stingers). A big body in the paint. Not the most talented or athletic, but strong and can rebound and handle other big guys.
Maurice Calloo (6'9 PF, 23yo, Guelph Nighthawks). A stretch-4 whose main calling card is shooting the 3s at a nice clip and percentage (38% in the CEBL this summer). Also plays college basketball at Oregon State, where he's had some highs but could not maintain consistency. On this Canadian team, he should help stretch the floor and open up the paint, as none of the other bigs is a capable shooter.
A bit about the tournament:
12 teams. Canada is in Group A with Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia. Not the strongest rivals, but it's really hard to know what to expect from this Canadian team with so much inexperience and youth, playing against guys who mostly have much more FIBA experience. I would not be surprised if this ends up with 3 losses, but let's hope for the best.
Starting tomorrow against the hosts, Brazil, at 19:10 ET.
