Prospects You Need to Know from the RSEQ D2 Provincials
- david-harmon
- Apr 27
- 8 min read
Written by Marc
CEGEP basketball is one of Québec’s most unique development stages. With high school ending at Grade 11, athletes enter CEGEP for up to three years, competing in the RSEQ, a league that bridges high school and university and consistently produces players ready to contribute immediately. The D2 level is physical, experienced, and filled with older players who understand how to impact winning. It has already produced names such as Ismaël Diouf (Northern Iowa), Sultan Bhatti (Brandon), and Chris Evrard Malonga (Nipissing), with more prospects emerging each year.
This weekend at Montmorency, the Nord‑Est and Sud‑Ouest regions collided. Across the matchups, eight players separated themselves not just through scoring, but through how they fit into their team’s identity and elevated their group in high‑pressure moments.
To reflect the depth of the event, the article also includes a Category-specific Standouts section that highlights additional players who excelled in different categories. And for readers who want an even broader look at the talent on display, a full 20+-player list, complete with game links, highlights, and strengths‑and‑weaknesses breakdowns, is available on X through the two extended threads linked at the end of the article.
Standout players
Julian Rosa
6’4
Class of 2026
Vanier
Julian continues to cement himself as one of the most impactful players in the entire league. He was arguably the best player on the floor every time he checked in. A large portion of Vanier’s half-court offense runs through him, and he showed why once again. He can operate comfortably in the mid‑post, elite rebounder for his size, consistently grabbing boards on both ends and generating extra possessions that Vanier desperately needs without a true big. His scoring from fifteen feet and in remains highly efficient, whether through touch shots, face‑ups, or shooting.
Defensively, he struggled on some possessions against bigger defenders in the post, but he showed he could adapt by matching the physicality and becoming disruptive later on. His mobility and long arms translate on both ends of the floor and allow him to cover space effectively.
The passing continues to separate him from most forwards at this level. Rosa consistently finds cutters, shooters, and weak‑side reads, even off the live dribble. It is unlikely he will continue playing the five at higher levels once surrounded by taller teammates, so tightening the handle will be important. Even so, his IQ, versatility, and ability to elevate Vanier’s structure make him one of the most valuable players in the event.
Pavel‑Willam Bastien
6’3
Class of 2027
Limoilou
Pavel was my biggest surprise of the event. It was my first time seeing him play, and he really surpassed expectations. Even though he is on the heavier side and not as comfortable going left, he was the driving force behind Limoilou’s offense. Most of their offensive structure was built around his creation. He used his frame to get to the paint with strong, decisive takes and rebounded well on both ends for his position. He also showed confidence from three, making shots both off the catch and off the dribble, including a few late‑clock attempts. The volume was not very high, which leaves some uncertainty, but the touch and willingness were encouraging.
His passing was the most impressive part of his game. The ball rarely stayed in his hands for long. He delivered transition passes, post‑up reads, drive‑and‑kick assists, and a variety of creative deliveries that showed real feel and IQ. Surrounded by teammates who can shoot, finish inside, defend, rebound, and take some of the load off him, his ability to create advantages gave Limoilou a structure that few D2 teams can match.
Julio Massa
6’5
Class of 2026
Dawson
Julio, the Sud‑Ouest MVP, continues to be one of the league's most reliable scorers. In a system that struggles to shoot and relies heavily on transition, his ability to generate offense when the game slows down and when the pace increases is essential. He consistently finds ways to get to the rim and the free‑throw line, attacking the middle of the zone, running in transition, driving closeouts, and exploiting gaps. He also showed confidence from three, which adds another layer to his scoring profile.
Even though there is still room for growth in terms of efficiency, he never shied away from the moment. Against Thetford, he hit big shot after big shot, including the game‑winning layup, and lifted his team to the win. His combination of physicality, rim pressure, and timely scoring makes him the offensive heartbeat of Dawson’s group.
Yussef Jawad
6’3
Class of 2026
Vanier
Yussef was one of the most dependable players in the tournament. Vanier’s offense thrives on movement, cutting, and interior touches, and he fits that identity perfectly. He was, in my view, the best offensive rebounder of the entire weekend, and it was not close when you account for position. He constantly generated extra possessions and shifted the momentum of entire games through effort, timing, and physicality.
He is also a versatile scorer from all three levels, even though most of his production comes off the ball. He can shoot the three at a strong rate, has soft midrange touch, can score in the low post against smaller defenders, and is an active, well‑timed cutter. All of this makes him a real matchup problem because he is physical, smart, and efficient without needing many touches. The handle is still developing, but his IQ, motor, and ability to impact the game in so many different ways made him Vanier’s X‑factor throughout the weekend.
Elliot Lunn
6’1
Class of 2027
Sherbrooke
Elliot spent the weekend establishing himself as one of the best point guards in the league. He was the clear offensive engine for Sherbrooke, a team built around guard play, ball movement, and a deliberate pace. Their offense relies on spacing, post touches, and guards who can get deep into the paint, and Elliot controlled all of it with poise. He played entirely at his own rhythm, never sped up, and consistently found ways to get downhill through ball screens, screen rejections, closeout attacks, and transition pushes.
Sherbrooke’s structure amplified his strengths. They opened games by moving the ball, punishing defensive coverage with early threes, and feeding their big man inside. When foul trouble slowed their interior scoring, Elliot took on more responsibility, keeping the offense flowing and repeatedly getting into the paint to create advantages. His scoring versatility stood out: midrange pull‑ups, post‑ups against smaller guards, catch‑and‑shoot threes, and tough finishes with either hand. He played a primarily on‑ball role and showed he could score from all three levels.
There are still areas for growth. He can be too passive in the very last possessions, and his handle can tighten under heavy pressure, especially against Sud‑Ouest teams that pick up full court. But he adjusted throughout the weekend, showed more comfort with each game, and delivered some of his best stretches in the fourth quarter when Sherbrooke needed him most.
His IQ, physicality, and ability to dictate driving lanes made him one of the most reliable lead guards in the tournament and the centerpiece of Sherbrooke’s identity on both ends.
Dardaye Bah
6’2
Class of 2028
Édouard‑Montpetit
Dardaye showed exactly why he was a first‑team all‑conference selection. He was one of the most confident shooters of the entire event, letting it fly off the catch, off the dribble, from deep, and from the midrange. He hunted shots, actively sought out big moments, and never shied away from late‑game situations. Even when he did not convert, he created clean looks for his team and showed almost no hesitation. He is especially good at getting to his spots in the midrange, where his pull‑ups were a reliable source of offense, although there is still room for growth in terms of overall efficiency.
He rarely got to the rim, but he still found ways to reach the free‑throw line by drawing contact on jumpers, something very few players were able to do this weekend. His high release and forward momentum on pull‑ups made him a unique scoring threat, earning easy points from both three and midrange. Beyond the scoring, he showed good IQ, flashed passing ability, and brought consistent defensive activity. He also held his own on the glass, often boxing out and battling bigger players.
Édouard‑Montpetit’s team context helped highlight his strengths. Their offense leans heavily on jump shooting, especially from the midrange, and Dardaye fits seamlessly into that structure. Within that framework, Dardaye’s shot‑making, confidence, and competitive presence stood out every game.
Yassine Hajji
6’7
Class of 2027
Thetford
It was my first time seeing Yassine play in person, and he did not disappoint. He is a very good athlete for his size, and his combination of positional size, mobility, and footwork gave Thetford a true two‑way presence throughout the weekend. Offensively, he showed real versatility and a strong feel for the game. He scored effectively in the low post against smaller defenders, displaying solid footwork and the ability to finish with both hands, even if the left is still clearly the weaker one. He ran the floor extremely well in transition, sometimes even pushing the ball himself, and finished coast to coast when the opportunity was there, although his handle still has room to improve.
He also passed well out of the post, rarely forcing plays and consistently making the right read. Even with limited shooting volume this weekend, he showed some willingness to step out to the midrange and even to the three‑point line when left open.
Defensively, he showed the potential to guard every position in the RSEQ. Even though he was used primarily inside, he disrupted actions with his length, anticipation, and physicality. His mobility allowed him to cover space, contest shots, and rotate effectively, giving Thetford a reliable anchor on the back line.
Thetford’s team context helped highlight his strengths. When they did get out in transition, they were at their best, and Yassine played a major role in those sequences.
His versatility, feel, and two‑way impact stood out immediately and made him one of the most intriguing performers of the weekend.
Raphaël D’Astous
6’1
Class of 2027
Sherbrooke
Raphaël was one of the purest shooters in the tournament, averaging four made threes per game over the weekend. Most of his production came from spot‑ups, but he also showed he could shoot it from deeper and with real confidence. His catch‑and‑shoot mechanics are clean, repeatable, and quick, and he consistently found ways to get open within Sherbrooke’s guard‑heavy offense. He can also attack closeouts, punish smaller defenders in the post, and finish through contact with both hands when he gets downhill.
In late‑game situations, he was often the player Sherbrooke trusted to take the final shot. Even though he did not always convert, he never shied away from the responsibility and embraced those moments. His combination of shooting versatility, physicality, and willingness to step into pressure possessions made him one of the most prolific perimeter scorers of the weekend.
Category Specific Standouts
Beyond the eight featured standouts, several players distinguished themselves in specific skill categories throughout the weekend. These are not rankings, but groups of three players who consistently excelled in their respective areas. Each player appears in only one category to avoid repetition and highlight a broader group of standouts.
Top USPORT Prospects
Julian Rosa (Vanier)— 6'4, 2026
Yassine Hajji (Thetford) — 6'7, 2027
Julio Massa (Dawson) — 6'5, 2026
Point Guards
Elliot Lunn (Sherbrooke) — 6'1, 2027
Jérémie Gibon (Thetford) — 6'1, 2027
Abdel Alao (Édouard-Montpetit) — 5'10, 2027
Shooters
Dardaye Bah (Édouard-Montpetit) — 6'2, 2028
Raphaël D’Astous (Sherbrooke) — 6'1, 2027
Félix Bussière (Limoilou) — 5'10, 2026
Defenders
Kedi Nzambe‑Busugu(Dawson) — 6'2, 2027
Dzidula Marylight Sowadan(Vanier) — 6'0, 2026
Xavier Marceau (Limoilou) — 6'0, 2027
Inside Presence
Alec McMahon (Sherbrooke) — 6'7, 2027
Christ‑Ariel Oulaï (Limoilou) — 6'5, 2027
Zachary De Grandpré (Limoilou) — 6'8, 2027
Alexandre Gagnon 6’5 (André-Laurendeau) — 6’5, 2026
Swiss Army Knives (Versatility)
Pavel‑Willam Bastien (Limoilou) — 6'3, 2027
Yussef Jawad (Vanier) — 6'3, 2026
Nathan Champagne (Sem. Sherbrooke) — 6'1, 2027
CLOSING
Across three days of Provincials, these eight players consistently elevated their teams through scoring bursts, defensive versatility, rebounding, creation, and pure competitive presence. The RSEQ D2 level continues to produce players who are ready for the next step, and this weekend was another reminder of how much talent is hidden across Québec’s CEGEP landscape.
Extended weekend breakdown (Part 1 & 2):
Contact Info: https://linktr.ee/qchoopslover
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