Canada’s Rise To Prep Hoops Dominance

In recent years, Canada has made strides in the international game, as they have developed various young talent, most notable of late, RJ Barrett from Ontario, Canada.. Although the United States Senior’s Men Basketball team reigns undoubtably as number one in the world, the Canadian National Youth teams have shown a lot of promise. Back in the summer of 2017, the U19 Canadian Men’s Basketball Team won the FIBA Championships in Egypt, led by 17 year old RJ Barrett. Barrett led a talented Canadian Team over the U19 USA Team during the Semi-Finals, scorching them for 38 points and outplaying Payton Pritchard and company. RJ Barrett is actually linked to Steve Nash, whom is his god-father, another Canadian Basketball legend in his outright. RJ went on to led Montverde Academy to the Number One Ranking and a Geico National’s Championship, as he was ranked the number one prospect in the nation the entire year. In the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, a game held annually showcasing the top U18 USA talent versus the best U18 International Talent, Barrett led the International Team with 20 points, defeating Team USA. RJ Barrett has been a force in high school basketball for the past three years and looks to wreck havoc on the college scene at Duke with fellow freshman fabs Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones.

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In May, Wayne Tinkle and Oregon State received a verbal commitment from Antoine Vernon, an unknown prospect from Canada. Vernon has a recruiting profile on ESPN, but is unranked, however, there is much upside to the 5-11 point guard. Antoine is a tedious athlete, both on the court and in the classroom, playing for Rise Academy, the top high school basketball team in Canada as well as maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Several Canadian Sources cite him as a top 20 Canadian talent as he averaged 16.7 points per game and 7.8 assists to go with 2.1 steals per game. Wayne Tinkle describes him as “a very capable shooter, shooting better than 40 percent from the 3-point line” as well as a “tempo changer for us”. Vernon will add a much needed point guard to the line up to go along with Jordan Campbell as last season the Thompson brothers seemed to handle the point guard duties, however, they both to seem to be wing players.

Recently, the Beavs missed out of four star recruit Addison Patterson, who decided to take his talents to Oklahoma University over the likes of Arizona State, Syracuse, Oregon, and Oregon State. Patterson is a 6’7” shooting guard originally from Ontario and played previously for Athlete Institute Prep. However, he currently plays in Arizona for Bella Vista Prep. Cites Penny Hardaway as his favorite player, which should give you an idea of his game. Can drive to the cup at will and can find teammates for an easy score, great feel for the game and good tempo overall. Played in the BioSteel All Canadian Game, something like their version of the McDonald’s All American Game. Number one prospect from Canada and played this past season for Nike EYBL Team CIA Bounce.

Although Oregon State has lost the bidding war for the talents of Addison Patterson, here are some of the top talents of the prep scene from Canada, to give our audience a taste of what our neighbors bordering us are cooking up.

AJ Lawson - shooting guard for GTA Prep, plays for Nike UPlay Canada, has strong commitment to South Carolina. Selected for U18 Men’s National Team Training Camp, reclassified from 2019 to 2018.

Quincy Guerrier - holds over 20 offers from D1 programs, was Adidas Gauntlet’s second leading scorer at 26 points per game for Brookwood Elite. Came up on the scene as spot up shooter, has explosiveness, hood handle, athleticism and intangibles of a superstar.

Tyrese Samuel, ranked 86th in the 2019 ESPN 100, plays for Warsatch Academy, hails from Montreal. Loaded with natural upside and talent, light on his feet for 6’9 forward, skilled, solid stroke, can play both inside and outside.