Inside Québec’s Biggest Summer Hoops Weekend

Written by QChoopslover (Marc)

The Montreal Invitational Tournament once again proved why it’s the biggest summer basketball event in Québec and one of the most talent‑dense weekends in the country.

With 148 teams, boys and girls from U12 to U17, and programs traveling from coast to coast and across the border, the gym was packed with high‑level matchups, breakout performances, and prospects who raised their stock in real time.

From Red Rush, Brookwood Elite, Park Ex, Pagé, Lu Dort Elite, Hoopville, D1 Minnesota, and more, the event brought together the most competitive youth programs in the province and beyond.

This article covers the U17 and U17 Select categories, where the talent level was ridiculous, and the gym atmosphere was at its peak.

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Baboucarr Ann | 6'5 | D1 Minnesota

Baboucarr was one of the most skilled and efficient scorers in the entire event, using his size, strength, and polished footwork to get to his spots with high‑major poise. He finished through contact, hit threes off the catch and off the dribble, and rarely wasted movement. Most of what he did was clean, controlled, and purposeful. But what truly separated him was how he impacted winning even when the scoring slowed. In the championship game, he was everywhere defensively: applying pressure on the ball, anticipating passes, jumping lanes, and sprinting back to erase fast‑break points that should’ve been automatic. He took a huge charge, made multiple extra‑effort plays, and showed the kind of defensive maturity that translates to higher levels. Offensively, he didn’t force creation, made the simple reads, and let the game come to him, then calmly knocked down the two biggest free throws of the night in a hostile gym. A complete two‑way performance from a player who affects winning at every level.

2027 | Deng Ngor | 6'8 | Lu Dort Elite

Deng brought a rare blend of energy, length, touch, and personality that made him one of the weekend's most memorable players. He played with joy by smiling, talking, and encouraging teammates, but flipped the switch instantly when it was time to compete. His left‑hand craft was special: floaters, up‑and‑unders, touch finishes, and creative angles that made it look like he was born left-handed. Even though his outside shot wasn’t falling at its usual rate, he stayed efficient by getting downhill, finishing with either hand, and using his long strides to cover space. Defensively, his positional size and athleticism allowed him to guard multiple spots, contest shots, and disrupt actions with his length. Coming off the U18 Canada championship, he carried the same energy and competitiveness into this event. A high‑upside two‑way wing with real tools and real presence.

2026 | Ian McBride | 6'9 | Red Rush Ontario

Ian delivered one of the most impressive shot‑making displays of the entire tournament. At 6'9 with a strong frame, he rose over defenders with ease and hit everything: off‑the‑dribble middies and 3s, stepbacks, movement 3s, catch‑and‑shoot bombs, and tough contested looks. He used bumps to create separation, manipulated defenders with his handles, and showed a scoring bag that very few forwards at this level have. Defensively, his speed and athleticism aren’t great, but he somewhat held his ground on switches and used his size to contest effectively. What stood out was his confidence; he played like a true three‑level scorer who knew exactly how to leverage his physical advantages. 

2027 | Deon Wallace‑Johnson | 6'3 | D1 Minnesota

Deon played with a level of hunger, aggression, and physicality that separated him from almost everyone in the gym. He attacked the paint relentlessly, embraced contact, and lived at the rim constantly putting pressure on defenses with his strength and explosiveness. He crashed the offensive glass, hit timely threes, and showed flashes of real footwork and touch. But his biggest impact came from his motor on both sides: he defended with intensity, fought through screens, took charges, crashed the offensive glass, and made every possession a battle. In the finals, he delivered big moments on both ends, including hard-nosed finishes and high‑effort plays that swung momentum. Wasn’t the primary ballhandler yet, and the playmaking can grow, but his ability to impose his will physically made him one of the toughest guards in the event. 

2027 | Stefan Illic | 6'9 | Wolverines Elite

Stefan showcased real offensive versatility at his size — confident shooting from three, soft touch on floaters, and the ability to grab a rebound and go coast‑to‑coast. His ball-handling stood out for a 6'9 forward, allowing him to initiate transition and create mismatches. He let threes fly without hesitation and showed touch both inside and outside the paint. Defensively, he had mixed results: he blocked shots and showed flashes of mobility, but struggled to guard both bigger players and quicker guards. Still, his rebounding presence and offensive skillset kept him impactful throughout the weekend. When he was in rhythm, he looked like a modern stretch‑forward with real creation upside. A high‑ceiling offensive prospect.

2027 | Aliou Diouf | 6'7 | Hoopville   

Aliou brought a unique scoring presence to the event, blending size, length, and an unorthodox but highly effective movement style. He consistently found ways to get to the rim, using unusual angles, deceptive footwork, and a natural ability to absorb contact. Even when his efficiency dipped, he stayed aggressive and impactful, drawing fouls, finishing through traffic, and keeping pressure on the defense. His athletic tools and positional size give him real upside, and he competes with an intensity that shows up on both ends. The playmaking is still developing, but his ability to generate paint touches and create offense on his own makes him a dangerous weapon. Across multiple games against high‑level competition, including a strong, efficient performance against 3SSB teams, he proved he could rise to the moment. He led Hoopville to one of the biggest upsets of the tournament against Lu Dort Elite and nearly powered another comeback against D1 Minnesota. In both matchups, he was the engine that kept Hoopville alive, especially when they needed someone to break down the defense and create something out of nothing.

2027 | Mathis Beauchamp | 6'6 | Lu Dort Elite 

Mathis showed how much his game expands when the ball is in his hands. As a primary creator, he unlocked layers of scoring and shot creation that aren’t always visible in smaller roles. He used his handle to get to his spots, attacked mismatches in the post, and hit tough shots off the dribble. His ability to score from all three levels made him one of the most versatile offensive players in the event. Some turnovers came from the increased responsibility, but he still delivered strong takes to the rim, drew and‑ones, knocked down spot‑up threes, created his own looks off the bounce, and used his size to punish smaller defenders in the post. This weekend showed a version of Mathis that the Montréal crowd is far more used to seeing a player capable of carrying stretches of offense and showing flashes of a full primary‑option package, not just a complementary scorer.

2028 | Randy Tshizanga | 6'7 | Hoopville

Randy was the emotional heartbeat of Hoopville’s run. He played with an edge, communication, and physicality that completely changed the energy of every lineup he was in. He talked nonstop, set the tone defensively, battled bigger players without hesitation, and embraced every physical moment. Despite being undersized for his position and not the most polished offensively, he had the greatest impact on winning more than anyone. He crashed the offensive glass, secured tough rebounds, rotated early, and made the game‑winning steal and euro‑step finish against Lu Dort. In the finals, he continued to anchor the team with toughness and effort. Randy is the type of player who elevates everyone around him, and his presence was felt in every game.

2027 | Totu Akuentok | 7'0 | Lu Dort Elite

Totu was one of the most impactful defensive anchors in the tournament. His size and length alone changed possessions, but his mobility and timing made him a true rim protector. He blocked shots, altered drives, and forced opponents to rethink their approach in the paint. Even though he’s a bit lightweight, he held his own in post‑up situations and showed he could survive physical matchups better than expected. Offensively, he finished plays around the rim with dunks and layups, ran the floor, and used his verticality as a threat on lobs. His rebounding presence, especially on the defensive end, stabilized Lu Dort in key stretches. Totu’s long‑term upside is obvious, and this weekend was another step in that direction.

2028 | Liam Bundalian | 5'11 | Lu Dort Elite

Liam was one of the most complete offensive engines in the event. He controlled pace, manipulated ball screens with maturity, and consistently created advantages with his handle and feel. His shooting versatility stood out. He hit threes off the catch, pulled up off the dribble, and used his footwork to create separation. Even on a night when the outside shot wasn’t falling, he still found ways to score by getting downhill, finishing through contact, and drawing fouls. His passing was sharp, especially in transition and pick‑and‑roll, where he used fakes and timing to open up windows. The left‑hand finishing and defensive consistency are areas for growth, but his offensive completeness and IQ were undeniable. 

2028 | Josh Charlotin | 6'5 | MTG

Josh was one of the most naturally gifted movers in the entire event. His athleticism isn’t just vertical or straight‑line speed; it’s the way he bends, slips through gaps, changes angles, and explodes out of nowhere. He lived in the paint all weekend, getting downhill whenever he wanted and finishing with both hands, often with his hand over the rim for dunks or high-flying layups. His ability to take unpredictable angles made him almost impossible to stay in front of. Defensively, his reaction time and explosiveness allowed him to make plays most guards simply can’t, including chase‑down blocks and sudden contests that erased open looks. The outside shot and touch are still developing, but his physical tools, relentless rim pressure, and top-tier defensive tools made him one of the most dangerous players in the gym.

2028 | Wesle Parlo Fils | 6'0 | Red Rush

Wesle played with a level of skill and shot creation that immediately stood out. His footwork, fakes, pivots, and midrange craft allowed him to create clean looks even against strong defenders, and his ballhandling let him shift defenders and get to his spots whenever Red Rush needed a bucket. He hit tough shots off the dribble, manipulated defenders with pace changes, and showed the ability to take over stretches of games, especially in the U17 Select finals, where he led his team to an upset win over Lu Dort Elite U16. Even on tired legs or in low‑energy moments, he found ways to produce, including a clutch go‑ahead shot in overtime that showed real composure against MTG. All weekend, he competed defensively, made timely passes, and used his scoring gravity to open up opportunities for teammates. The turnovers and lack of left‑hand comfort/use are definitely areas to grow (understandable given his recent hand injury), but his ability to create offense out of nothing and his willingness to compete at a high level made him one of the most impactful winning guards in the event. 

2028 | Noah Rosa | 6'3 | Hoopville 

Noah brought a steady, high‑IQ presence to Hoopville’s backcourt. He shot the 3 ball at a high clip, defended at a high level, and consistently made the right read on both ends. His anticipation defensively stood out. He jumped passing lanes, rotated early, and understood how to position himself to disrupt actions. Offensively, he used deception, timing, and feel to create advantages without needing elite burst. He doesn’t get to the paint often in the halfcourt, but his shooting, decision‑making, and defensive reliability made him one of Hoopville’s most important pieces. Coming from CEGEP D2, he looked more comfortable and impactful with a bigger role, showing that his game translates seamlessly to higher levels of competition.

2027 | Jason Bundalian | 6'1 | Gilas

Jason was one of the most complete offensive guards in the tournament. He played with poise, pace, and a deep understanding of how to create advantages. He scored mostly by getting to the rim and knocking midrange shots, though he got to the free‑throw line consistently and made high‑level passes in every situation. Even when his three‑point shot wasn’t falling, he found ways to impact the game by pushing the pace, attacking gaps, and making the simple, correct reads. His ability to generate easy points through steals, transition opportunities, or simple plays kept Gilas competitive in multiple games. Jason’s combination of skill, IQ, and competitiveness made him one of the most reliable guards in the event, and his ability to adapt to different game flows showed real maturity.

2027 | Victor Joseph Boulanger | 6'3 | Brebeuf 

Victor was one of the most dangerous shooters in the gym, but what made him stand out was the variety in his scoring. He hit catch‑and‑shoot threes, movement threes, and off‑the‑dribble jumpers from both midrange and deep. He played with positive energy, communicated well, and stepped up as a scorer whenever Brebeuf needed a spark. Despite being undersized for a two‑guard, he compensated with craft, touch, and the ability to finish with either hand, including floaters and layups. His confidence and willingness to take tough shots made him a constant threat, and his ability to score in multiple ways kept defenses honest. Victor showed he’s far more than just a shooter. He's a complete scoring guard with real versatility.

2029 | Nate Pelissier | 6'5 | Lu Dort Elite

Nate showed maturity, versatility, and defensive commitment that immediately stood out. He consistently took on tough assignments, sliding his feet, using active hands, and making life difficult for opposing scorers. Even without being a high‑usage offensive option, he found ways to contribute by crashing the offensive glass, running the floor, attacking closeouts, and cutting with purpose. His ability to score without needing the ball showcased his feel for the game and understanding. The outside shot is still developing, but he flashed enough confidence to keep defenders honest. What made him special was how he embraced the little things that directly impact winning. Nate looked like the kind of player every program wants: reliable, competitive, and constantly in the right place at the right time.

2027 | Jack Thelen | 7'1 | D1 Minnesota  

Wisconsin commit Jack’s presence alone reshaped the way teams attacked the paint. At 7'1, he deterred drives simply by being on the floor, but his timing and instincts elevated him into a true rim‑protecting anchor. He altered shots, walled up effectively, and forced guards to rethink their decisions around the basket. Against stronger competition, he had moments where physicality bothered him, but he also showed encouraging mobility in ball‑screen coverage, hedging early, and recovering to protect the rim. Offensively, he finished plays around the basket, secured second‑chance points, and flashed a soft touch with his left hand. His rebounding helped his team, and even in games where he didn’t fill the box score, his defensive impact was undeniable. Jack is still developing physically, but the tools, size, and instincts point toward a long‑term interior presence with upside.

2027 | Souley Traoré | 6'2 | Hoopville   

Souley brought instant scoring punch and competitive fire to Hoopville’s backcourt. He shot the ball with confidence, especially from deep, and wasn’t afraid to take big shots in big moments. Even though he doesn’t get to the rim often as an on‑ball creator, he consistently finds ways to score by relocating, reading the defense, and putting himself in the right spots at the right time. His passion and competitiveness were evident throughout the weekend; he cared and stepped up when his team needed him most. His off‑ball instincts allowed him to capitalize on defensive breakdowns, and he converted timely buckets that shifted momentum. Body language and on‑ball creation are areas to grow, but his shooting, feel, and willingness to compete made him a key contributor in Hoopville’s biggest moments.

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The Montreal Invitational once again proved why it’s the biggest summer basketball event in Québec. The depth of talent, the level of competition, and the number of high‑level programs made this weekend a true showcase of where Québec basketball is headed. 

More evaluations, breakdowns, and player features are coming as the summer continues. For full scouting reports, live breakdowns, and updates from every major event, follow along and stay tuned for the next wave of reports.

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