Jongkuch Mach Canadian basketball just got its own seat at a table that didn't exist a month ago. This week, a new international prep league called ATLAS, presented by World Stage Sports, announced itself to the world — and tucked inside the eleven founding programs is a name every Maple Minute reader already knows: Orangeville Prep. Let's start with what ATLAS actually is, because this isn't a glorified showcase circuit. World Stage Sports describes itself as a global sports platform building premium competition, media, and commercial opportunities around the next wave of athletes, and the people running point on this thing aren't rookies. Mike Morreale, the Canadian sports executive who co-founded and ran the Canadian Elite Basketball League until stepping away last year, is the league's commissioner. The funding is coming from a mix of individuals, venture capital, and private equity, with sponsorship and media rights details still being ironed out. The format is ambitious. The regular season runs from November 2026 through February 2027, hosted across North America and Europe, before playoffs kick off in March. The schedule opens at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida on November 11th through the 13th with all teams in action, then threads through Daytona Beach, a Florida date in early December, a Miami stop, and a run through Varese, Italy in mid-December. January sends the whole league to Kaunas, Lithuania for a 16-game slate. February brings everyone back to North America — first Geneva, Ohio, then Phoenix — before the championship round lands in Toronto from March 4th through the 7th, where a World Champion gets crowned. Toronto. Let that sit for a second. The league that's trying to reshape how elite high school basketball operates globally picked a Canadian city to crown its first champion — and that's not a coincidence when you look at who's in the league. The eleven founding programs are DME Academy, IMG Academy, and Prolific Prep out of Florida, Mega Basket out of Serbia, Orange1 Bassano and Pallacanestro Varese out of Italy, OrangeAcademy Ulm out of Germany, SPIRE out of Ohio, Sunrise Christian out of Kansas, Žalgiris out of Lithuania — and Orangeville Prep out of Ontario. Read that list again. Orangeville is the only Canadian program in the entire league. The Great White North only got one entry into this thing, and the one that got picked to represent this country is a program that plays its games forty-five minutes outside Toronto. American ATLAS teams keep their eligibility for the Chipotle Nationals, so this isn't replacing anything for the U.S. programs — it's additive. For Orangeville, it's a direct line into a European and international circuit that Canadian high school basketball simply hasn't had access to before. That matters. For years, the pathway for elite Canadian prospects has run through the States almost by default. ATLAS hands a Canadian program a seat in the same room as Žalgiris and Varese — clubs with real professional pedigree — and does it without requiring a single player to leave the country to find it. Orangeville Prep isn't walking into this as an unknown. The program, based at the Athlete Institute campus in Mono, Ontario, has billed itself as Canada's Premier Prep Program for years, with national championships in 2016, 2017, and 2020 to back it up. The headquarters are familiar to anyone who's followed Canadian basketball — this is the building that produced NBA talent before ATLAS ever existed. The man running the program now is Charles Hantoumakos, head coach of the Orangeville Prep National Men's Team and also the head coach of Canada Basketball's U18 National Team. He's a two-time OSBA champion, and this isn't his first time in that gym — he coached Luguentz Dort through this exact program before taking over as its leader again this season. He coached in this building. Now he leads it. That continuity matters when a program is about to be tested on a stage it's never played on before. And the roster walking into ATLAS play is one I've been tracking for a while now, because most of these names already live in the Maple Minute database. Rasheed Morrison, the 2027 wing who made the move to Orangeville, is a dynamic scorer who can get to his spot at all three levels — I sat down with him for a one-on-one interview not long after his move, and the growth in his game since has been obvious. Praise Badejo is a guard I watched take over stretches of games at the Blue Arrow Classic and again at the Montréal Prep Showcase — explosive, high-IQ, a two-way problem for defenses that still haven't figured out how to load up on him. Isaiah Lukusa, the 6-foot-6 Canadian wing, already committed to Santa Clara, and anyone who's watched him knows that commitment undersells a kid whose best basketball is still in front of him. Then there's Lukas Jendrusiak, and I'll be straight with you about this one because I've written about him before and I meant every word of it. I've been going to Orangeville Prep home games for years now. I've seen the team with Lukas Jendrusiak on the floor, and I've seen the team without him. That's not a small distinction. College coaches call me up sometimes, and they almost never ask me if a kid can go left or if he's got a midrange game — they ask about character, about how a player responds when things aren't going his way. Jendrusiak answers that question every single time he steps on the floor. The roster doesn't stop there. Kyree Taylor and Troy Arthon are part of this group too, and then there's the name that's going to turn heads in every gym this league visits: Jongkuch Mach, the Australian big man who stands 7-foot-6, taller than any active player in the NBA. Add in new signee Christian Cast, the No. 1 recruit in the state of Michigan, and this is a roster with real size and a lot of eyes on it. That's the core of the roster that's about to represent Canada on a stage that includes Lithuanian and Italian professional academies. No pressure. Here's the bigger picture, and it's the part that should matter most to anyone who cares about basketball in this country: ATLAS is a bet that the next generation of elite talent doesn't need to funnel through one country to get developed and seen. For a long time, Canadian basketball has punched above its weight while still operating on the outside of the systems that control access and exposure. This league, by design, put a Canadian program in the room from day one — not as a guest, not as an afterthought, but as one of eleven founding members with a direct path to a championship on Canadian soil. Orangeville Prep didn't luck into this spot. The results, the coaching pedigree, and the talent pipeline earned it. But now that they're in, the job is to show the rest of this new league — and everyone watching from home — exactly why Canadian basketball deserves to be taken this seriously. March in Toronto isn't just a championship weekend. It's a chance for a Canadian program to win the first ATLAS title on home floor, in front of the people who've been building toward this for years. Canadian teams only. That's the energy around this league from where I'm sitting, and Orangeville is the only one that gets to carry that flag. Buckle up.

Standing at 6’7, from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Malachi Brentumi (2027) brings a combination of size, athleticism, and offensive ability to the forward position that immediately stands out. He’s an explosive, high upside talent who has already proven against some of the best competition in Canada and consistently shows out. Lots to love when watching his game, but still has room for growth. Offensively, this is where most of Brentumi’s current impact lies. He possesses all the physical tools and natural scoring instincts to be a real problem for defences. He is at his best as a scorer when playing with aggression and consistently looking to get downhill. His ability to finish through contact, elevate above the rim, and put constant pressure on defenders makes him a highly agile and dynamic forward. Brentumi can score in a variety of ways, but the foundation of his offensive game is his athleticism. He is most comfortable creating opportunities from the perimeter, using his first step and downhill attacks to get into the paint and put pressure on the defense. He can also create out of the mid post, where he has shown a solid foundation as a post scorer, utilizing simple but effective footwork to generate separation and get to his spots. His mid range game is an intriguing and developing part of his offensive package, along with his three point shot. While they both aren’t major parts of his game yet, he has shown promise and steady improvement throughout the years. He shows confidence in his mid range shot and has the ability to rise up over defenders and create space, while from three, he operates off the ball and in catch and shoot situations. His decision making on the offensive end is still a work in progress, he’s not necessarily someone you want to have setting up plays, but that’s not what you’re looking for in his role. The next step for him will be improving his understanding of when to attack and developing better spatial awareness. There are times when he gets too aggressive attacking the defense without fully thinking through the play, which can lead to forced drives and turnovers. If he can become more selective with his attacks while maintaining his aggressiveness, it will take his offensive game to another level. Defensively Brentumi has made great strides in his abilities. Hes active in passing lanes, laterally quick for his size, and capable of making big time blocks with his vertical and wingspan. I wouldn’t consider him a two way presence yet, because this effort is not consistently shown on every possession. But the tools are all there, length, size, athleticism but consistency will be the key that fully unlocks his defensive impact. Heading into his senior season with the Leo Hayes Lions, he has an opportunity to show what he can do at an even higher level. Post secondary programs should be taking a serious look at him. He is a score first forward who plays with intensity and natural athleticism that you simply can’t teach. With continued development in his shot, handle, and decision making, he has the tools to take his game to another level.

NCAA rules were written for American schools. Canadian school works differently. This guide puts the rules in Canadian terms so you know what matters and when to act. It is for Canadian players aged 14 to 19 who want to play NCAA Division I basketball, and for their parents. Read it once now, then come back to it every school year. Nobody can promise you a scholarship or a roster spot. Not us, not a camp, not a coach on the phone. What you can control is being eligible, being ready, and being seen. The rules at a glance Division I academic rules for Canadian students, checked October 5, 2026. NCAA rules change, so always confirm the current requirements at NCAA.org and with the NCAA Eligibility Center before you make a decision. The Maple Minute is an independent basketball media outlet, not the NCAA. 16 core courses, Grade 9 to 12. 2.3 minimum GPA in those courses. 0 SAT or ACT scores needed for eligibility. Some schools still ask for test scores to get in, so check each school. What Division I checks The NCAA Eligibility Center clears two things: your school record and your amateur status. Start by making an account at eligibilitycenter.org. Take 16 core courses. These are academic classes like English, math, science and history. Gym, music and most applied or open classes do not count. Get a core GPA of 2.3 or higher. The NCAA turns your marks in those 16 courses into a GPA. You do not have to do the math yourself. Graduate on time. You need your diploma, and your school sends it with your official transcript. Stay an amateur. NCAA Division I rules on agents, prize money and pro opportunities changed in 2026. Some pre-enrollment prize money and agent relationships may now be allowed, but other things, like certain pro contracts or playing with a pro team, can still affect your eligibility. Before you sign anything or make a pro basketball decision, check your situation with the NCAA Eligibility Center or a college compliance office. Your 16 core courses English: 4 years Math at Algebra I level or higher: 3 years Science: 2 years Extra English, math or science: 1 year Social science: 2 years Any other approved core course: 4 years New as of August 1, 2026: the separate science lab rule is gone. Your science classes only need to be on the NCAA's approved list. Good news for Canadians: the 10/7 rule (10 core courses finished before Grade 12) does not apply to students whose whole high school record is Canadian. It can apply if you move to a US school or prep school. Canadian school, in NCAA words Freshman is Grade 9, or Secondary 3 in Quebec. Sophomore is Grade 10, or Secondary 4 in Quebec. Junior is Grade 11, or Secondary 5 in Quebec. Senior is Grade 12. Quebec does not line up neatly with this, so see the Quebec section below. "Class of 2029" is the year you finish high school. GPA is your average, on a 0 to 4 scale. A core course is an academic course on the NCAA's list. A transcript is your official marks, Grade 9 and up. How Ontario marks become a GPA Most Canadian secondary schools report percentage grades instead of a GPA, so the NCAA converts your eligible courses using its own chart for each province. Ontario works like this: 80 to 100 is an A, worth 4 points. 70 to 79 is a B, worth 3 points. 60 to 69 is a C, worth 2 points. 50 to 59 is a D, worth 1 point. Below 50 is an F, worth 0. A 2.3 sits between a C and a B. Core marks mostly in the 70s clear it with room to spare. Core marks mostly in the 60s give you a 2.0, which is not enough. Every core mark counts, starting in Grade 9. Other provinces have their own charts on the NCAA's international page under Canada. If you are in Quebec Quebec does not translate perfectly into the American four-year high school system, so there is no simple grade-to-grade match. The NCAA treats Secondary 3 as the start of the secondary-school timeline it looks at. Secondary 4, Secondary 5 and CEGEP coursework can all be relevant. CEGEP also has its own NCAA credit and graduation-timeline rules, and they depend on your credential and your situation. Check the NCAA's current Quebec guide on its international page, and contact the NCAA's international team at the Eligibility Center instead of the regular phone line, to confirm your own pathway. Talk to us before you plan your CEGEP years. Ontario course checklist The fifth character of an Ontario course code tells you whether it can count. D (academic), U (university prep) and M (university/college prep) count. W (de-streamed Grade 9 and 10 courses, like MTH1W, SNC1W and CGC1W) can count too. P (applied), C (college prep), O (open) and E (workplace prep) do not. L (locally developed) is case by case. Courses that usually count English: ENG1D, ENG2D, ENG3U, ENG4U, EWC4U Math: MTH1W, MPM2D, MCR3U, MCF3M, MHF4U, MDM4U, MCV4U Science: SNC1W, SNC2D, SBI3U, SCH3U, SPH3U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U Social science: CGC1W, CHC2D, CHV2O (half credit), CHA3U, HSP3U, CHY4U Other: Core French, French Immersion, Spanish, HZT4U, HRT3M Watch out: Kinesiology (PSK4U) and Exercise Science (PSE4U) do not count. Neither do Media Studies, Music, Drama, Food and Nutrition, or Math for Everyday Life. A lot of basketball players take Kin. It is a good course, but it does not help your NCAA count. Not in Ontario? Every other province and territory has its own list on the NCAA's international page. Bring it to your guidance counsellor. When coaches can talk to you The NCAA sets start dates. Before then you can still email coaches, fill out camp forms and send film, but they cannot reply about recruiting. Calls, texts, DMs and emails from coaches: June 15 after Grade 10 for men's basketball, June 1 after Grade 10 for women's. Official visit, where the school pays: August 1 before Grade 11 for men's, January 1 of Grade 11 for women's. A coach visiting you at home or school: start of Grade 11 classes for men's, September 1 of Grade 12 for women's. You get one official visit per school. Coaches also have dead periods each year when they cannot meet you in person, so check the current NCAA calendar before you book a trip. A note on roster spots: at Division I schools operating under the House-settlement roster rules, men's and women's basketball teams have a 15-player roster limit, and those schools can give athletics scholarships to players across that roster. That can mean more scholarship opportunities than the old scholarship-limit model. It does not necessarily mean more roster spots, because programs used to be able to carry extra walk-ons. These rules also do not apply the same way at every Division I school, so ask each program how its roster and scholarships work. Competition for spots is still tough, including from players around the world. Your timeline, grade by grade Grade 9: start strong. Pick academic level courses (D or W in Ontario), because your Grade 9 marks count toward your NCAA GPA. Start a folder for your report cards. Grade 10: get set up. Make a free account at the NCAA Eligibility Center and have your counsellor check your course plan against your province's NCAA list. Get game film. Coaches can start messaging you in June after this year. Grade 11: the big year. Upgrade to the paid Certification Account and keep your core marks in the 70s or higher. Send film and a short email to coaches who fit your level. Official visits can start this year. Grade 12: finish it. Ask your school to send your transcript to the NCAA and finish your core courses. PG year: a 5th year after Grade 12 is common in Canada. It can give you more games, more film, more exposure and more time to grow. It is not a free year, though. For players who first enroll full-time in college in fall 2027 or later, NCAA Division I's new age-based eligibility rules make your age and your college start date matter, and waiting can affect how much eligibility you have in some situations. Before you commit to a PG year, confirm your own situation with the NCAA Eligibility Center or a recruiting school's compliance office, and register with the Eligibility Center before that year starts. Who made this The Maple Minute covers Canadian high school basketball with scouts in 8 provinces. Our scouting is free and public, for players, families and college coaches. Questions about your own situation? DM us at @themapleminute, or comment RECRUIT on any post.

Written by Andrew Sharpe Onsite at the Andrew Milner Invitational tournament in Rothesay, NB this past weekend and was able to catch two games: Canada Top Flight Academy (CTA - Ottawa) defeated Lincoln Prep (Hamilton), while Crestwood Academy (Toronto) came away with a close victory VS home town favourite Rothesay Netherwood. This tournament was well represented by university scouts in the area.I talked to coaches from Acadia, UNB and UNBSJ, who were all excited to see some of the country’s best basketball prospects. Here are the ones that caught my eye in these two games: ROTHESAY NETHERWOOD Kareem Aljaibat (2027), 6’7 F, Kitchener, ON. Every time I watch this apex predator play, I question why he isn’t talked about more at the national level. He has international experience, playing with Jordan at FIBA U19, and his compete is college ready. While he does have one official D1 offer (Alcorn St), I still think Kareem is criminally underrated. 27 in this game against one of the best prep teams in the country. Santiago Plancke (2028), 6’6 F, Barcelona, Spain. Playing in his first season in Canada, Santiago is a three level scorer. Versatile, he uses his frame to play out of the post, get downhill, and stretch the floor. He had 18 in the loss. Elijah Mantley (2028), 6’1 G, Halifax, NS. Elijah is a streaky offensive player, he’ll have 28 one game, and 7 the next. But his pesky defence is ever present, and he brings a college-ready long ball, so expect him to continue to place high on recruiting boards. Elliot Beverly (2027), 6’3 G, Moncton, NB. Quiet in this game, but have to mention Elliot, as he is one of the best shooters in the Maritimes, as evidenced by his 7 three pointers in the game before this one. LINCOLN PREP Antonio Sempiira (2027), 6’6 G, Toronto, ON. The leading scorer for Lincoln Prep in this game with 17, including two deep threes, Antonio has length, bounce, and a jump shot. After returning from this tournament, Antonio transferred back to his hometown JCM Prep, where he should continue to be a featured prospect. Cadence MacLeod (2029), 6’1 PG, Halifax, NS. MVP of his varsity team at Halifax Grammar in only grade ten, Cadence transferred to Lincoln Prep this season, where he wasted no time stepping into his usual role as starting point guard. This floor general and vocal leader had ten points and held his own against older, bigger and stronger players. The potential is real here. One to watch. Bryan Ezeocha (2027), 6’2 G, Saint John, NB. Smooth release, good handle, gets to his spots, makes the early pass. 8 points in this game. Tayshaun Gritton (2027), 6’8, Calgary, AB. Good length, active defender, plays well out of the post, both as a passer and scorer. CTA TJ Whelan (2027), 6’6 F, Ottawa, ON. High percentage stretch four who creates high-IQ opportunities for his teammates. He’s a responsible, physical paint protector and rebounder who seems comfortable with pressure. Oh, and he has a LEGIT flame thrower. 26 points in this game, including four 3’s, some of which were in a phone booth. He is most dangerous out of the high pick and roll, as he not only sets great screens, but his shooting ability makes him a dual roll/pop threat. TJ will be a sneaky get for the right system. Diego Vitta (2027), 6’3 G, Gatineau, Quebec. An unorthodox, crafty, volume scorer, Diego’s high compete and ability to get downhill and score in tight spaces has earned him D1 offers from Fresno State and Holy Cross. He had 24 in this game. Bryce MacKenzie (2028), 6’0 PG, Moncton, NB. A high IQ, low-risk facilitator who’s always three chess moves ahead. He brought his trademark jaw-dropping passing to this game along with 11 points. Caleb Osman (2027) 6’6 PG, Ottawa, ON. Lots to be excited about here. Athletic, active and long, Caleb is a three level scorer and a very willing defender. The talent is real. CRESTWOOD Tyylon Ennis (2028), 6’2, Pearland, Texas. Continues to stack offers from D1 schools like Penn State and Syracuse, where his Toronto brother, Tyler, was ACC All-Freshman before he went to the NBA. Tyylon dropped a cool 30 in this game and is always sticking his nose in and around the ball, pesky on defence and grabbing more than his share of boards. Mekhi Martin-Burrows (2027), 6’7 F, Barrie, ON. Somehow flying under the radar, Mekhi stood out to me right away. A walking highlight reel, he’s an incredibly athletic high-flier. I was surprised to see him on the bench at the end of the game, but was very impressed at his reaction, as he showed as much energy off the floor as he did on the floor, jumping to his feet to cheer his teammates at every opportunity, his smile never fading. Markeese Strawbridge (2027), 6’7 F, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. An athletic alpha dog, Markeese continually bullied his way into high percentage buckets. Jayden Fagbohunka (2028), 6’4 G, Milton, ON. He uses his length and explosive first step to get downhill better than the average guard, contributing 20 points on primarily inside scoring.

Elijah Mantley (2028) is a 6’3 explosive combo guard whose game is built around downhill pressure. He is constantly looking to get two feet in the paint, using his quick first step and craft to create advantages. Mantley is becoming a simpler and more efficient scorer, allowing his athletic tools to naturally create easy opportunities. His ability to get downhill opens up finishes at the rim and pull-up opportunities in the midrange. Primarily a scoring guard who can operate both on and off the ball. Still developing a consistent three-ball but has shown tons of improvement in this area, especially as a catch-and-shoot threat. His game is actively heading towards consistently making simple reads and taking what the defense gives him. As a combo guard, Mantley shows great feel as a playmaker, particularly when attacking downhill. He makes strong reads within offensive actions and when the defense collapses, allowing his scoring pressure to create opportunities for others. The biggest areas to monitor will be his ball handling and his ability to take on more primary creation responsibilities. Improvement in both of these areas will help his transition to the next level. Defensively, his lateral quickness and overall athleticism give him the tools to pressure opposing guards and provide two-way value. His physical tools also make him an exceptional offensive rebounder for a guard, allowing him to attack the glass and create second-chance opportunities. Mantley is already showing that his game translates against some of the highest levels of competition in Canada, consistently competing and producing. Mantley has a well-rounded foundation, highlighted by a strong basketball IQ and a versatile skill set. With two more years of prep basketball still ahead of him, he is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on.

Malik Olajuwon is going to SMU. The 2027 shooting guard told 247Sports he has committed to the Mustangs. He's a four-star prospect, a top-ten shooting guard in the national class, and a summer stock riser. He's also the son of NBA Hall of Fame big man Hakeem Olajuwon. Back in August, Olajuwon cut his list to six: Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, SMU, Minnesota, TCU and Kansas State. That's a high-major field, and SMU won it. The name isn't why those programs were calling. A famous last name gets eyeballs, but it doesn't put a guard on that many high-major lists or move him up a national board. A summer rise means the evaluation changed after people watched him play. The Maple Minute has had Olajuwon in our database as a five-leaf prospect, which in our system means a bonafide NCAA D1 player. He's a 6'2 guard out of Sugar Land, Texas, playing his prep season at Clements and running with JL3 Elite on the EYBL circuit. That means a steady diet of top competition with college coaches in the gym every weekend, and it's where a stock riser gets proven. For SMU, this is a statement recruit: a top-ten guard at his position, chosen over five other high-major programs. For Malik, it's the first big decision that's entirely his own. We'll keep tracking him as he moves from the EYBL circuit to the college level.

Dime Sessions will be a major part of The Maple Minute’s coverage this season, and Session 1 gave us our first extended look at the field. More than 30 games were played over the weekend, with roughly 70 players making their way into my scouting notes. The evaluation goes beyond points and highlights. I watched throughout the weekend and went back through film afterward, focusing on skill, physical tools, decision-making, defence, competitiveness and how those traits translated in different situations. Every game is available on the Dime Session YouTube channel, allowing players, coaches, and evaluators to review complete game film. Here are 15 players who stood out in Session 1. Pasen Perett | FYB | 6'1 | 2029 What immediately stood out with Perett was his confidence as a young guard playing up. He was comfortable letting the ball go from three and didn't look overwhelmed by the pace or physicality of an older field. Once he found a rhythm, he continued looking for his shot rather than becoming passive, and that confidence translated into one of the biggest scoring performances of the weekend. Perett eventually finished that game with 39 points and eight three-pointers, but the more important part of the evaluation is that he's only a 2029. The shooting already gives him a skill he can build around as the rest of his game develops. Future sessions will give me a better look at the handle, creation, defence and decision-making against different coverages. Still, Session 1 gave us a strong reason to follow him closely. Kierin Weinberger | PSA Black | 6'0 | 2027 Weinberger caught my attention with the variety of ways he created his own shot. Against Mountaineers, he went between the legs into a step-back three, showed an extremely quick release when a defender closed hard enough to foul him, and later used one dribble to his left before immediately rising into another three. What I liked most was that he wasn't simply hunting jumpers. He would explore the paint, pull the ball back when nothing was available and attack again from another angle. On one possession, he grabbed a long rebound and used a series of shifts with the ball to navigate through multiple defenders before getting into the paint and drawing a foul. At 6'0, Weinberger isn't going to win because of overwhelming physical tools, so the handle, shooting versatility and ability to change pace become particularly important. His quick release leaves little margin for a defender, while his handle lets him manufacture space when it isn't there. There were possessions where the next pass could come sooner, something I'll continue watching, but his ability to consistently put pressure on a defence was clear. After reviewing the weekend film, Weinberger averaged 29 points, four assists, four rebounds, and three steals, including games of 41 and 30 points. Ezra Lado | CTA West Black | 6'6 | 2027 Lado kept finding different ways to affect possessions. He attacked the offensive glass from the perimeter, rebounded above the rim and was quick to turn turnovers into transition opportunities. Defensively, I particularly liked his activity when CTA extended its pressure. He used his length and active hands when blitzing ball handlers, crashed down from the perimeter when a rebound was available and showed the athleticism to finish emphatically when CTA created transition chances. At 6'6, that combination of length, mobility and motor gives Lado considerable versatility. The biggest positive for me was that he didn't need the basketball to make himself noticeable. Rebounding, cutting, defensive activity and transition play all give him ways to contribute before you even get into his offensive skill set. That's a valuable profile for a 2027 wing, and I'll keep tracking him as we see him in different situations. Malakai Hills | CTA West Black | 6'8 | 2027 Hills consistently established himself around the basket. He used his 6'8 frame to create a target on rolls, pursued the offensive glass and finished possessions around the rim. What interested me more than his size were the possessions where he caught the ball with multiple defenders around him and recognized that the better play was to move it to an open teammate. That's an important part of Hill's evaluation. The physical tools are easy to see, but flashes of feel add another dimension. A big who can screen, roll, rebound and then recognize where the next pass needs to go becomes much more useful as the level increases. His physicality and interior presence stood out immediately, while I'll watch his passing and decision-making closely in future sessions. Jonah Kielly | Supreme | 6'5 | 2028 Kielly appeared in my notes repeatedly because his impact wasn't confined to one area. He knocked down catch-and-shoot threes from the wing and corner, ran the floor extremely hard and showed the athleticism to finish above the rim in transition. He also flashed quick hands defensively, challenged a shot at the rim and immediately turned rebounds into opportunities going the other direction. For a 6'5 2028, that's a compelling combination. The shooting forces defenders to respect him away from the basket, while his athleticism and willingness to run give him another way to score without needing to create everything himself. The next thing I want to see is how far the off-the-dribble creation can develop. Right now, the shooting, athleticism, size and two-way activity already give Kielly several ways to influence a game. Kobe Thomson | Supreme | 5'9 | 2028 Thompson was one of those players whose value became clearer the longer I watched. He consistently got Supreme organized, wasn't bothered by pressure bringing the ball up and seemed comfortable determining when the game needed to speed up or slow down. Against UPlay, he got underneath the basket before kicking to an open shooter, created another advantage that eventually came back to him for a three, and later stopped at the elbow for a controlled jumper. He also mixed it up on the offensive glass despite his size. At 5'9 and still a 2028, Thompson's path is going to be built around skill, feel and decision-making. That's why his Session 1 performance caught my attention; a scoring total doesn't always capture his calm handling of pressure and organized possessions. He rebounded, threw long outlet passes, competed defensively and consistently looked like a guard who understood what his team was trying to accomplish. Mari Muhiden | WCPA Regional | 6'1 | 2027 Muhiden's ability to put pressure on the first defender was apparent almost immediately. He was quick enough to get into the paint, but he wasn't simply driving into traffic. I saw him break down defenders before finding shooters, using his handle to change direction and turn defensive plays into transition opportunities. His hands were particularly active defensively, including possessions where he cleanly took the ball away on the perimeter. For a 6'1 guard, creating that initial advantage is important. Muhiden showed he can get the defence moving and force help to arrive, which opens the rest of the floor. I'm interested in continuing to evaluate his decisions when he beats the first defender, particularly against length around the rim. The quickness, handle and defensive activity gave him a strong start to the Dime season. Dryden Smadis | WCPA Regional | 6'6 | 2029 Smadis was one of the players whose age and size made me go back and reconsider what I had seen. At 6'6 as a 2029, he wasn't simply being used as a big body. He directed traffic, called pick-and-roll actions, and handled the basketball comfortably. He attacked off the dribble, got into the paint and finished through contact, and showed the ability to step into a catch-and-shoot three. Those are intriguing skills to see from a player this young with that kind of size. There were possessions where Smadis appeared to be thinking about what the defence was giving him rather than simply attacking the first available opening. There is obviously a lot of development ahead for a 2029. Still, the combination of size, ball skills, shooting and early playmaking feel gives us plenty to track over the next several sessions. Jordie Brown | Mountaineers Prep | 6'0 | 2027 Brown's voice stood out almost as much as anything he did with the basketball. He constantly communicated with teammates and challenged the group while still applying pressure defensively. He pushed the ball in transition, attacked the paint and showed shooting touch. I also liked his willingness to rebound from the guard position and immediately look to move the ball forward. Leadership can be difficult to evaluate over a short stretch, but Brown repeatedly showed it. He stayed engaged in possessions whether he had the basketball or not and was comfortable being vocal at both ends. At 6'0, toughness, skill and decision-making are going to matter, and those were areas where Brown consistently made himself noticeable during Session 1. Charlie Reimer | Mountaineers Prep | 6'8 | Post Grad Reimer consistently gave Mountaineers a target inside. He showed his hands in both the high and low post, caught the ball cleanly and displayed good touch around the basket. One possession I particularly liked came when he curled from around the free-throw line directly through the middle of the paint, presented a big target and finished with a controlled jump hook. He also showed the ability to catch a post touch and find an open shooter when help arrived. The other pieces made the evaluation more interesting. Reimer put the ball on the floor from the wing, pursued defensive rebounds and looked to get the outlet moving quickly. At 6'8, the size will naturally be part of his game, but the hands, passing feel, touch and willingness to handle are what I'll be watching again when Mountaineers return. Mayen Atem | CTA West White | 6'6 | 2027 Atem consistently played with activity around the basket. He attacked the offensive glass aggressively, finished through traffic and ran the floor hard enough to create transition opportunities, including a two-handed finish. I also liked several of his passing possessions. When he got into the paint, he showed a willingness to find teammates rather than automatically forcing his own attemptt. At 6'6, Atem has the physical tools and motor to affect possessions in several ways. What makes him more interesting is the possibility of adding more perimeter skill and playmaking to that foundation. The rebounding and athleticism already create value, while the passing flashes suggest there could eventually be more to his offensive role than simply finishing plays. Dax Martindale | CTA West Red | 6'2 | 2027 Martindale was one of my favourite defensive evaluations of Session 1. He repeatedly moved his feet to cut off penetration, understood where to position himself in the gaps and was comfortable absorbing contact. On several possessions, there wasn't a steal or blocked shot at the end—he simply got his chest in front of the ball handler, held his ground and prevented the offence from getting where it wanted to go. Those are the defensive possessions I value because they don't always show up in a box score. Martindale demonstrated lateral quickness, physicality and awareness while being willing to defend different types of players. I want a larger sample of his offensive game in future sessions, but he already established a clear defensive identity and showed how much he can influence possessions without needing the basketball. Joven Sanghera | CTA West Red | 6'5 | 2027 Sanghera's athleticism and activity were difficult to miss. One play that stood out was an explosive offensive rebound off a missed free throw where he attacked the ball above the crowd. He consistently pursued rebounds, played through contact and found opportunities around the basket rather than waiting for touches to come to him. At 6'5, Sanghera has a useful physical profile because he combines size with the ability to move. His motor creates extra possessions, and that's something that should translate regardless of his offensive role. I'm interested in getting a longer look at the handle, shooting and half-court creation in future sessions, but the athleticism, rebounding and willingness to compete gave him a strong opening weekend. Isaac Hogan | FYB | 6'6 | 2028 Hogan caught my attention with how comfortable he was playing physically. He fought through traffic for defensive rebounds, established position around the paint and repeatedly created contact on his way to the free-throw line. I also liked a possession where he received the ball inside, used a pump fake and recognized the collapsing defence before kicking the ball back outside rather than forcing his own attempt. At 6'6 as a 2028, Hogan already has useful size, but I was more interested in the decisions accompanying it. He wasn't simply trying to overpower every possession. There were flashes of patience and awareness when the defence sent additional attention his way. The next step will be seeing more of the perimeter skill and shooting, but the physicality, rebounding and developing feel give him a good foundation. Orlando Reyes | Tsuut'ina Nast'ogha | 6'2 | Post Grad Reyes kept finding ways to get involved. He attacked the paint, pursued rebounds and got on the floor for loose balls. One of my favourite plays from him was a long outlet pass that immediately turned a defensive possession into an easy transition opportunity. He also showed the ability to get inside and find teammates rather than simply trying to finish everything himself. What ultimately separated Reyes for me was his communication. He was consistently talking, helping organize teammates and recognizing where players needed to be. Those details matter when evaluating a guard because they show involvement beyond his own touches. The passing, competitiveness and willingness to communicate gave Reyes an impact that went beyond whatever appeared in the scoring column. Watch Dime Sessions Every Dime Sessions game is streamed live and archived on the Dime Sessions YouTube channel, making the complete film available to players, families, coaches and evaluators. The remaining schedule includes Oct. 23–25 in Edmonton, Nov. 13–15 in Edmonton, Dec. 11–13 in Calgary, Jan. 22–24 in Edmonton, and the Championship Feb. 25–28 in Calgary. The Maple Minute will continue evaluating players throughout the Dime Sessions season. Claim Your Profile Already listed in The Maple Minute prospect database? Claim your profile to keep your information current. Claim Your Maple Minute Profile

Briar Ricci & Tavius Ford | 11th grade | Edmonton, AB | Harry Ainlay High School | Genesis Basketball For many teams, finding two players who can build elite chemistry while still standing out as top-tier individual talents is difficult. For Tavius Ford and Briar Ricci, that balance is what makes them so dangerous. Years of playing together have created a connection that elevates both players. As they enter Grade 11, Briar and Tavius are shaping up to be one of the most intriguing duos in their 2028 class. Having played together at a very young age, Tavius and Briar have continued to grow side by side at both the high school and club levels. Their development has already led them to compete on some of the biggest stages available to young Canadian talent. This past year, they represented Genesis Basketball in the EYBL Champions Division. A year prior, both earned selections to Team Alberta’s U15 program. Those experiences have only strengthened the trust, chemistry, and confidence they bring every time they step on the floor. While their chemistry grabs your attention, their individual games are just as impressive. At 5’11, Briar Ricci (C/O 2028) has developed into a versatile two-way guard whose competitiveness and relentless work ethic allows him to impact winning on both ends of the floor. Whether he's attacking the basket, making the extra pass, shooting quality shots, or taking on tough defensive assignments. Briar embraces whatever role his team needs. His selfless approach and commitment to improving, continues to make him one of the more complete guards in his class. Tavius Ford, (C/O 2028) a 6’4 forward with a very high basketball IQ, shooting ability, and natural leadership. The forward has a great feel for the game, consistently finding open space and making smart decisions with the ball. Also, his ability to stretch the floor forces defences to respect his shot. Creating opportunities for both himself and his teammates. As he continues to improve his ability to get downhill, his offensive game will become even more dangerous. With both players entering an important stage of their development, I caught up with Tavius and Briar to talk about their unique partnership, what they're focused on improving, and the goals they've set for the upcoming season. Q&A with Tavius Ford and Briar Ricci Matteo: You've played together at both the high school and club level. What makes your connection on the court so effective? Briar: We've spent a lot of time playing together, so we've built a lot of trust. We understand each other's strengths and tendencies, which helps us communicate without always having to say anything. Playing together at both levels has made our chemistry stronger, and I think that shows during games. Tavius: The fact that me and Briar have played together even before high school, since Mini Mites, means we know how each other play. We've been able to translate that onto different teams, and hopefully it leads to a positive outcome every time. Matteo: What do you believe is the biggest strength of your game, and what separates you from other players in your class? Briar: I think my biggest strengths are my work ethic, competitiveness, and willingness to do whatever the team needs. I try to make an impact on both ends of the floor, and I take pride in constantly trying to improve my game. Tavius: I'd say one of my biggest strengths is my basketball IQ. I know where I need to be on the court to get open shots and layups. When my shot is falling, I'm able to create gravity, which opens things up for my teammates and myself. Matteo: Heading into Grade 11, what's one area of your game you're focused on improving the most, and why? Briar: I'm focused on becoming more consistent with my off hand and improving my overall decision-making. I think those are two areas that can help me become a more complete player and allow me to contribute even more to my team. Tavius: The biggest thing for me is improving my handles and getting to the rim. I feel really confident in my shooting, and if I can consistently attack the basket, it'll make me much harder to guard. Matteo: If a college coach or scout was watching you for the first time, what do you hope they notice about you as both a player and a person? Briar: I hope they notice how hard I play and how much I care about my teammates. I want them to see someone who competes every possession, is coachable, and is willing to put in the work both on and off the court. Tavius: I'd want them to notice my leadership. I want them to see someone who's helping teammates on and off the court, giving constructive feedback, and doing whatever I can to make the team better. Matteo: What goals have you set for yourself this season, both individually and with your team? Briar: Personally, I want to continue improving every aspect of my game and become a more complete player. As a team, our goal is to compete at a high level, win as many games as possible, and build a strong culture together. Tavius: We're going to be a younger team this year, but we still want to compete with the top schools and make a deep run. Personally, I want to learn from the older returners while continuing to grow as a leader for the younger guys. Matteo: What role has the other person played in helping you become the player you are today? Briar: Tavius has played a huge role in my development. He's pushed me to work harder, improve my skills, and become a better teammate and leader. Having someone who believes in you and challenges you every day has made a big difference in my growth as a player. Tavius: Briar has always been one of my favourite people to play with. He's obviously a very talented player, which helps me improve defensively in practice. He also always finds me when I'm open, giving me great opportunities to knock down shots while trusting me to finish the play. Final Thoughts The Ford-Ricci Formula is built for success. With both players entering Grade 11 and continuing to refine different aspects of their games, this partnership is only beginning to reach its potential. As the 2028 class continues to develop, don't be surprised if the names Tavius Ford and Briar Ricci continue to be mentioned together for all the right reasons.

The Dime Sessions has established itself as the best place to evaluate emerging basketball talent in Western Canada. Last season featured more than 200 games across seven sessions, with 25 teams representing all four Western provinces. Prep programs, post-grad teams and younger prospects competed over several months, giving college coaches and evaluators repeated opportunities to watch players against quality competition rather than relying on one showcase weekend. The exposure goes well beyond the coaches sitting courtside. Every Dime Sessions game is broadcast live on YouTube at @TheDimeSessions and archived afterward, allowing coaches across Canada and the United States to follow prospects throughout the season and review complete game film. When The Maple Minute released its Dime Sessions All-Star teams last season, I estimated that at least 60 players across the league could eventually appear on NCAA, U SPORTS, or CCAA rosters. We're already watching many of those players make that jump. From Dime to the Next Level The best evidence of the level of basketball being played in Dime is where players from these programs are ending up. WCPA has built an impressive NCAA pipeline. Adam Harakow came through WCPA before reaching NCAA basketball, while Massal Diouf was another member of that WCPA group. The program has also developed players who have moved throughout the Canadian college system. That pipeline continues with last year's Dime group. Clarence Suter, a Second-Team Dime All-Star, has moved on to Manitoba, while Mukungu Mutabazi has landed at Regina. Those are important examples when evaluating the next group coming through WCPA. CTA West has produced its share, too: 6-foot-11 Brayden Savage has moved on to NCAA Division II Lincoln Memorial, while 6-foot-10 Spencer Tatlock is at Seton Hill and Temi Adeyinka at Roberts Wesleyan. Last year's Dime MVP, 6-foot-6 Owen Gateretse, is at Midland College after averaging 17.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in Dime play. The movement extends across the league. Bebang Leke from One Prep is at York; Athletic Edge's Agrey Baya has moved on to Olds; Golden Ticket's Grady Wilson is also at Olds; nd FN Prep's Rashawn Taniskishayinew has made the jump to the ACAC. Dime is increasingly becoming a place where we can watch college players before they become college players. That's what makes evaluating this year's group so interesting. CTA Chases Three Straight There is also a championship to play for, and CTA West enters Season 4 with everyone chasing them. CTA has won the past two Dime championships and will attempt to make it three straight with a substantially different group. —redWhite and Black return, with plenty of size and several prospects worth following. 6-foot-8 Malakai Hills, 6-foot-6 Ezra Lado, 6-foot-6 Finn Pritchard and 6-foot-8 Makalele Palid are four I'll be watching closely. 6-foot-6 Mayen Atem is another player I'm already familiar with after watching him with Supreme last season. Atem's combination of length and guard skill continually caught my attention. He can get downhill, create for teammates, pull up off the dribble and finish above the rim. Now we get to evaluate how his game develops in the CTA environment. We've already had an early look at the new CTA groups at the WCPA Showcase. CTA Black edged Toronto, Terror 78-77, CTA Red fell 96-80 to 1Possession a, nd CTA White defeated WCPA Regional 77-63. Those September results aren't conclusions, but they give us a baseline for a program replacing a significant amount of talent. WCPA Has Another Loaded Group Western Canada Prep Academy isn't entering Season 6 quietly. WCPA National went 3-0 in the Showcase results we tracked, defeating Toronto Terror 85-64, 1Possession 105-57 and Athletic Edge Academy 101-60. More important than the margins was our first opportunity to evaluate a group with college prospects throughout the roster. 6-foot-1 2027 guard Zayne Hinkson returns as one of Dime's established stars after earning First-Team All-Star recognition last season. At the WCPA Showcase, Josh Millican again saw the shot creation, handle and feel that made Hinkson stand out last year, including his ability to create space for deep step-back threes. There is significant talent around him. 6-foot-7 2027 Daniel Banjoko arrived from England and immediately stood out with his length, reactions and defensive versatility. 6-foot-5 2027 Miles Herbert has also started the season strongly, while Braxton Brook and Oscar Rouillard add more size, skill and feel. WCPA has also added 6-foot-8 Bilal Olowoshile and 6-foot-8 Eric Barto. That's what makes this group particularly interesting. WCPA has already shown it can develop players who reach the NCAA and Canadian university levels. Hinkson, Banjoko, Herbert and the rest of this year's group now get the opportunity to establish where they fit in that pipeline. CTA owns the last two championships, but WCPA gives us plenty to watch in that three-peat pursuit. Golden Ticket Brings an Intriguing Young Group Golden Ticket became one of my favourite teams to watch last season. Coach Stephen Shields had an undersized group that completely bought into how it needed to play. Golden Ticket put together a 10-game winning streak over three sessions, climbed into the Platinum Division conversation, nd Shields ultimately earned our Dime Sessions Coach of the Year recognition. This year's group includes Daniel Moore, JayJay Ogunride, Butoyi Niyomungere, David Ola David, Jacoby Langford, Garrett Smith, Quinn Teece and Clarence Ermine. What makes the roster particularly interesting is its youth. Ogunride, Langford, Teece and Ermine are all 2027s, giving us a chance to follow a group of Saskatchewan prospects against older competition throughout an entire Dime season. For The Maple Minute, that matters more than simply comparing this team to last year's 10-game winning streak. We want to see who develops into a legitimate post-secondary prospect and how these younger players respond as teams become more familiar with them. A Deep Season 6 Field The depth of Dime goes well beyond CTA, WCPA and Golden Ticket. Season 4 includes CTA West Red, CTA West White, CTA West Black, WCPA National, WCPA Regional, Golden Ticket, PSA White, PSA Black, One Prep, Athletic Edge Academy, FN Prep, Peace Country Prep, Calgary Academy Hoops, Calgary Impact, United, UPlay Scholastic, Eclipse, Mountaineers White, Mountaineers Blue, Summit Basketball, Nast'ogha Prep, Empire Elite, Blacktop, Rise, Supreme and FYB. That mixture of established prep programs, younger developmental teams and unsigned players is part of what makes Dime valuable. We will inevitably leave the opening weekend talking about players who weren't mentioned anywhere in this preview. That happened last season. I expect it to happen again. 2026–27 Dime Sessions Schedule Season 6 begins this weekend in Calgary and features five regular-season sessions before returning to Calgary for the championship. Session Location Dates Session 1 Calgary Sept. 25–27 Session 2 Edmonton Oct. 23–25 Session 3 Edmonton Nov. 13–15 Session 4 Calgary Dec. 11–13 Session 5 Edmonton Jan. 22–24 Championship Calgary Feb. 25–28 That format is one of the things I like most from an evaluation standpoint. One great weekend can put a player on the radar, but five sessions tell us considerably more. We get to see how players adjust, whether weaknesses improve, and who can keep producing once opponents have already scouted them. For coaches who can't make the trip, you can watch all those games live on the Dime Sessions YouTube channel and revisit them afterward through the archive. Session 1: Calgary The opening weekend runs September 25–27 and immediately gives us some interesting matchups. Friday includes Peace Country Prep against WCPA Regional at 1:30 p.m., Blacktop Basketball Academy against CTA Black at 3:00, Peace Country against CTA Red at 4:30, WCPA Regional against Mountaineers Blue at 6:00, CTA White against Mountaineers White at 7:30 and Team FN against UPlay NSS Academy 2 at 9:00 on Court 1. Court 2 Friday includes PSA Prep White vs. Academy Hoops Prep, Tsuu'tina Nast'ogha Prep vs.Rise, UPlay NSS Academy 1 vs. FYB and United Prep vs. Athletic Edge. Saturday gives us another full day, including Supreme Hoops-WCPA Regional, CTA White-Mountaineers Blue, Athletic Edge-WCPA Regional, Supreme Hoops-Mountaineers White, PSA Prep White-Rise and PSA Prep Black-CTA Black. Sunday closes the weekend with games including Supreme Hoops-Blacktop, Eclipse-CTA White, Mountaineers White-Athletic Edge, PSA Prep Black-Mountaineers Blue, CTA Red-Rise and Supreme Hoops-UPlay NSS Academy 1. It is a packed opening weekend, and the schedule should quickly introduce us to players and teams that haven't received much attention yet. What We're Looking For The championship storyline is straightforward: CTA is pursuing three straight, while WCPA enters with an experienced returning star in Hinkson and another talented group around him. But the bigger story for The Maple Minute is identifying the next players who can make the jump. Last season, we watched Gateretse, Savage, Tatlock, Suter, Leke, Baya, Wilson, and others compete in these gyms before moving into college basketball. Programs participating in Dime have produced NCAA players, while many more prospects have landed throughout JUCO, U SPORTS and CCAA. We already know many of the names entering Season 6. What we don't know is which player from One Prep, Athletic Edge, FN, PSA, UPlay, Supreme, the Mountaineers, Calgary Impact or one of the league's other programs will force his way into that conversation. That's a major part of why we're excited to get back in the gym. The Maple Minute will be at every Dime Sessions event this season, evaluating players in person and tracking their development from session to sessionon and highlighting the prospects who separate themselves. With every game also available live and archived on YouTube, there has never been a better opportunity to follow Western Canada's next wave from the beginning. We'll see you in the gym.

The Western Canada Prep Showcase ran three days, and a few names kept jumping off the page of my notebook the whole way through. Not the guys everyone already knows about — the guys who made me flip back and underline something twice. Julius Holmes | Forge Prep Academy | 2027 Julius was the story of the weekend, solely off his astonishing shot making ability. Non-stop tough finishes, and he's got the green light and he knows it. Watched him give One Prep straight fits — one of the top teams there — with touch that doesn't quit. Saw it multiple times, it wasn't a fluke. Zach Mathison | Edge School | 2028 This one's not just a notebook opinion — I actually bumped Zach from a three-star to a four-star in the database after this weekend. Long frame, pure shooting form, great pull-up off the dribble. Reminds me of Jerry from Glory Road, the way he follows his own shot and just plays the game at a different speed. Oscar Rouillard | WCPA | 2027 We've already featured Oscar before, and he backed it up again. Dude is the conductor out there — high IQ, talks the whole game, and his handle is tighter than people give him credit for. Jab-drive left had guys grabbing air. Jorge Eliezer | Forge Prep Academy | 2027 Give Jorge the ball and get out of the way. Nice floater package, finishes through traffic, follows his own misses. And he's loud — one of the best communicators I saw all weekend, which matters more than people think. Ashton Embry | Edge School | 2029 Ashton's got some Xavian Lee in him. Can put it on the deck, shoot it, attack a closeout. One thing he's gotta clean up — finish the fastbreak dunk instead of settling. Small thing, but it's the difference between a highlight and a footnote. Braxton Brook | WCPA | 2028 Kept hitting threes all weekend, and on top of that he's taking ownership out there vocally. That's the kind of kid who ends up being the glue guy on a winning team. Had an assistant coach from Idaho fly in just to see him, I don’t know about you but that sounds pretty good to me. Cole Miller | One Prep | 2027 Cole can play above the rim and still handle it, which isn't common. Showed range too in a different game, so he's not just a straight-line athlete anymore. Him and his teammate Benjamin Fitzgerald give One Prep two similarly sized wings who attack completely differently — Cole's living on the drive and the slash. Finn Pritchard | CTA West | 2027 London, Ontario kid now playing out in Alberta — kind of a cool path. Good pace with the ball, shoots it well off the bounce, and he's got a high feel for the game. Watch this one. Malakai Hills | CTA West | 2027 Big man out of a small part of BC, came up playing single-A ball, and he was a man amongst boys this weekend. Passes on a rope for a big, rebounds everything, had a monster and-one and a block that changed the whole game. Built like a brick shithouse and plays like it too but with some finesse. Benjamin Fitzgerald | One Prep | 2028 This is the one I want people to remember. 6'5 - 6’6 wing/stretch-four — way more aggressive attacking the paint than most kids his size. Rebounds well, goes up for second-chance buckets, and honestly has a legit post game for his size, plus he can still hold up on the wing. Similar size and skill level to Cole Miller, but Benjamin's doing his work down low while Cole's out on the perimeter. Two different flavors, same ceiling. Still chasing down a couple last names and some background details before this one's fully locked — but the eye test on these ten isn't changing. Tejan M’Bye | Terror Prep | 2027 Kept popping up as one of Terror's best prospects on the weekend. Hit a big 3 in the fourth quarter to put his team up 2 in one matchup, and on the defensive end he's the type who draws a charge and gets in the paint for a block. Great positional size & plays with a lot toughness that wasn’t matched by many opponents. Eldar Saran | Terror Prep | 2027 Anchors the paint and does it with a little flash — caught him with a beautiful spin finish that looked more like a wing move than a big man's. Won't quit on the glass either, kept working the boards the whole way through. Fuel your game with BioSteel. Use code THEMAPLEMINUTE when you shop BioSteel and support independent Canadian basketball coverage at the same time. http://biosteel.ca/themapleminute The Maple Minute may earn a commission on purchases made through our BioSteel affiliate link.

The Blue Arrow Classic brought a genuinely international field to Toronto, with programs and prospects from Canada, the United States, Australia, Italy and Senegal sharing the floor over three days at Humber Polytechnic. The Jamal Murray connection gives the event some extra meaning. Before Kentucky, an NBA championship and becoming one of the faces of Canadian basketball, Murray came through the Orangeville Prep and Athlete Institute system. Blue Arrow now gives another generation of prospects a chance to compete on a stage connected to that same pathway. For The Maple Minute, the focus was evaluation rather than simply results. Production matters, but so do physical tools, skill, decision-making, motor, defensive impact and which parts of a player’s game look capable of translating as the competition gets better. These are 15 players who repeatedly found their way into my notebook. Praise Badejo — Orangeville Prep 6'1 | 2029 | Canada 🇨🇦 There was a point during Orangeville’s matchup with Dynamic Prep when I wrote in my notes that every time Orangeville needed something done, Praise Badejo seemed to be the player doing it. That ended up being one of my strongest impressions from the entire weekend. Badejo already has a really interesting understanding of pace. He could get downhill, stop comfortably in the mid-range or create enough space to rise into his jumper without looking rushed. That was particularly impressive against Dynamic, because they were one of the most physical defensive teams I watched all weekend. They bumped cutters, pressured ball-handlers and tried to make possessions uncomfortable, but Badejo continued to play at his own speed. The scoring versatility was obvious, but I liked the decision-making just as much. Badejo wasn’t simply hunting shots. He recognized when the defence collapsed and was willing to find the next player. For somebody in the 2029 class, that combination of shot-making, pace and feel is what really makes the evaluation interesting. His physical development will continue, but the way he already processes the game against older players gives Orangeville another very intriguing young Canadian guard. Liam Mitakaro — Bella Vista EYBL 6'4 | 2028 | Canada 🇨🇦 Mitakaro’s shooting range was probably the first thing that caught my attention. Against Brampton City Prep, he was comfortable pulling from several feet behind the line and didn’t need much separation to get into his shot. There were possessions where the defender was right in his space and Mitakaro still looked completely comfortable letting it go. What made the weekend more impressive was everything that came around the shooting. He hustled back to erase a transition opportunity with a block, jumped passing lanes, made good reads once he got into the paint and showed that he could play above the rim in transition. He wasn’t just standing around waiting for kick-outs. That matters when evaluating where his game can eventually go. A 6'4 guard who can shoot at that level is already valuable, but the passing, defensive activity and ability to attack give him a much wider path. Over multiple games at Blue Arrow, Mitakaro continued showing that the jumper may be the first thing you notice, but it isn’t the only reason to keep watching him. Lyris Robinson — Canyon OTE 6'6 | 2027 | Canada/USA 🇨🇦🇺🇸 Robinson put together one of the most complete stretches I watched at the event. Against Varese, it started with his work on the glass. He consistently went above traffic for defensive rebounds and pursued the ball instead of simply waiting for it to come into his area. Then other parts of the game started showing up. Robinson knocked down a one-legged jumper in the mid-range, hit from three, attacked the paint and made several smart little plays that kept possessions alive. One of my favourite sequences wasn’t a highlight at all; it was simply recognizing the situation near the sideline and intelligently using an opponent to save possession. Against AUS Elite, more of the perimeter scoring and creation came out. The important part is that Robinson does not need to dominate the ball to impact a game. He can rebound, defend, shoot, attack a closeout and make the next pass. That versatility fits with what he has already shown internationally and gives him several ways to influence a game even when he isn’t the primary option. Paul Osaruyi — Canyon OTE 6'10 | 2027 | Canada 🇨🇦 The size and physical tools are impossible to miss with Osaruyi, but I came away from Blue Arrow more interested in the skill and mobility around them. He showed touch with a baby hook over his shoulder, comfortably stepped into mid-range jumpers and had several finishes where he simply went through bodies around the basket. He rebounded in traffic and provided the obvious rim protection you want from a player with his length, but there were also possessions where he was pulled onto the perimeter and moved his feet surprisingly well. That is an important part of his long-term evaluation. There are plenty of young bigs who can dominate when everything happens directly around the basket. Osaruyi showed signs of being able to defend farther away from it while still providing all the vertical value inside. When you combine that mobility with the developing touch and strength, there is a lot to work with. Bryce Dennis — Brampton City Prep 5'9 | 2028 | Canada 🇨🇦 Bryce Dennis was one of those players whose competitiveness was impossible to miss. Against Bella Vista, he pressured the ball relentlessly, blitzed opposing guards, created steals and repeatedly attacked the heart of a defence that had significantly more size waiting for him at the rim. At 5'9, Dennis will always have to find ways to overcome length, but Blue Arrow showed a guard who understands that he cannot let size dictate how aggressively he plays. His quickness, motor and willingness to initiate contact allowed him to make bigger players uncomfortable at both ends. There were difficult finishes and possessions where the length won, but that is part of the evaluation too. What I liked was that he continued forcing the defence to react. The competitiveness and point-of-attack pressure give him a clear identity to build from. Shivam Sharma — Brampton City Prep 6'4 | 2027 | Canada 🇨🇦 Sharma was a good example of a player who did not need the ball constantly to find ways to contribute. One of his best sequences came defensively when he jumped a passing lane, got out in transition and finished with a dunk. Later, when penetration drew the defence into the paint, Sharma was ready on the perimeter and knocked down the catch-and-shoot three. Those plays stood out because they fit naturally within the game. Sharma wasn’t forcing possessions or trying to become something he wasn’t. He defended, ran the floor, stayed active and was prepared when opportunities came to him. That kind of versatility often becomes more valuable as players climb levels and no longer have every offensive possession designed for them. Sharma showed signs that he understands how to impact a game without needing to be the primary creator. Settimo Yugo — Bella Vista EYBL 6'9 | 2027 | Canada 🇨🇦 Yugo’s size and movement give him some particularly interesting defensive possibilities. At times Bella Vista used him near the top of its pressure, where he had enough mobility to deal with guards while using his length to disrupt passing lanes. Around the basket, he rebounded above the rim and gave Bella Vista another long defensive presence, but I was more interested in seeing a 6'9 player trusted in areas that are normally occupied by wings. That tells you something about the physical tools and versatility coaches already see in him. The next step will be continuing to expand the offensive skill so the versatility on that end begins to match what he can potentially do defensively. There is already plenty of experience in his background, and Blue Arrow was another good look at the type of role his length and athleticism can fill. Momo Sanogo — CODE Academy 6'10 | 2029 | Canada-based Momo Sanogo was one of the youngest bigs in the event and also one of the easiest players to identify when CODE Academy got into transition. He runs hard, gives guards a clear target and plays above the rim. CODE consistently rewarded him for sprinting the floor, finding him on lobs and dump-offs before the defence could get set. His activity also translated defensively, where he showed real shot-blocking instincts and had several possessions where he erased an attempt and immediately cleaned up the defensive rebound. There is naturally a lot of development ahead for a 2029 big, but there is already a clear foundation. Legitimate size, vertical athleticism, rim protection and the willingness to run hard can create an immediate role while the rest of the offensive game develops. I’m leaving his nationality open here rather than assigning one without firm confirmation, but his performance for CODE made him one of the young bigs worth tracking closely. Kyree Taylor — Orangeville Prep 6'3 | 2027 | Canada 🇨🇦 Taylor had several possessions against Dynamic that caught my attention because each one showed a different answer offensively. He hit a difficult fading jumper in the mid-range, attacked the basket directly and had one particularly impressive possession where he split a double-team and still managed to get all the way to the rim. Later he stepped out and knocked down a three. The interesting part was that the scoring did not feel predetermined. Taylor wasn’t simply deciding he was going to attack before seeing what the defence presented. He reacted to the coverage and found different solutions. With Badejo having such a strong weekend, Taylor did not have to control every possession for Orangeville, but he showed a scoring package that can fit alongside other creators. Payton Jones — Dynamic Prep 6'2 | 2027 | USA 🇺🇸 | Maryland commit Jones entered Blue Arrow as a Maryland commit, and over the course of the weekend he showed many of the traits that make him appealing as a lead guard. He consistently created paint touches. Sometimes that became a finish, sometimes an elbow jumper and sometimes a kick-out once the defence collapsed. He could knock down threes when defenders gave him space, but he never seemed dependent on his jumper to control a possession. There was creativity too. Against AUS Elite, one of the more memorable plays of the weekend came when Jones threw the ball off the backboard for a teammate to finish. It was a flashy play, but it also reflected how comfortable he was seeing things develop in transition. What I liked most was the control. Dynamic plays a very physical, disruptive style, yet Jones rarely looked hurried within it. He could speed the game up when an opportunity appeared and slow it back down when it didn’t. That ability to manipulate tempo is an important quality for a guard heading toward the high-major level. Benjamin Berrouet — Dynamic Prep 6'8 | 2028 | Latvia/USA 🇱🇻🇺🇸 Berrouet may have been the Dynamic player whose versatility showed up most consistently across the weekend. Against AUS Elite, he defended inside, rebounded through traffic, handled the ball comfortably from the perimeter and attacked with either hand. Against Orangeville, many of the same traits appeared again. He could grab a defensive rebound and immediately become the ball-handler, attack a closeout or use his strength once he got into the paint. His motor connected everything. Berrouet repeatedly found himself involved in second efforts, defensive possessions and loose-ball situations instead of waiting for the offence to find him. For a player with his size and ability to handle, that activity makes him difficult to put into a traditional positional box. His international background is also worth getting right. Berrouet has Latvian and American nationality and represents Latvia internationally. That context fits what we saw at Blue Arrow: this is not simply a big forward overpowering younger competition. There is skill, defensive impact and real international experience already in the profile. Lucas Byrne — AUS Elite 6'4 | 2009-born | Australia 🇦🇺 By the final day of Blue Arrow, Lucas Byrne had made sure he was going to be part of this article. His 40-point performance against Bella Vista will understandably get most of the attention, but the evaluation was more interesting than the number itself. Byrne scored in a lot of different ways. He used his body around the basket, finished underneath the rim, got into the paint for a high floater, scored off post spins and knocked down perimeter shots. There was also a beautiful full-court outlet pass that stood out because it showed another part of his game. Byrne recognized the advantage immediately and advanced the ball before the defence had time to recover. Passing possessions can easily get lost when someone scores 40, but that one belonged in the notebook. What made the performance impressive was the variety. He wasn’t simply having one of those games where everything from three was falling. Byrne found answers from different spots on the floor and showed enough strength to make his game work against bigger North American athletes. Max Pavey — AUS Elite 6'2 | 2009-born | Australia 🇦🇺 Pavey caught my attention with the shot-making first. Against Canyon, he repeatedly created enough space off the dribble to get into difficult threes and looked completely comfortable shooting over defenders even when the separation wasn’t perfect. His release was quick and there was a confidence to the way he took the next shot regardless of what had happened on the previous possession. The later game against Bella Vista made the evaluation more complete. Pavey got downhill, showed he could finish with either hand and created opportunities for teammates rather than simply searching for his own jumper. That second part matters. There are plenty of young guards who can make difficult shots. The ceiling gets considerably more interesting when the same player can organize possessions and create good shots for other people. Over the weekend, Pavey showed enough of both to become one of the Australian players I would want to continue tracking. Robert Kangur — Varese 6'4 | 2009-born | Estonia 🇪🇪 Kangur was one of my favourite guards to watch because there was real craft to his game. He changed speeds well, got defenders leaning and could attack gaps without always needing to win with pure explosiveness. He pulled up from three, got into the paint and made good reads when defenders collapsed. On several possessions, he showed the balance to pull a shot back when it wasn’t there and find a teammate instead. There were also a few moments when the creativity got ahead of the possession, including an ambitious behind-the-back pass that became a turnover. I don’t necessarily see that as a major negative at this age. Kangur is seeing openings and trying to create advantages; the next step is learning which windows are actually available. Varese played a noticeably different style from many of the North American programs, and Kangur looked comfortable within it. The handle, pace and feel made him one of the more enjoyable guards to evaluate over the weekend. Ivan Prato — Varese 6'10 | 2007-born | Argentina/Italy 🇦🇷🇮🇹 Prato was one of the more unusual offensive evaluations at Blue Arrow because he did not play like a traditional 6'10 big. His release from three was extremely quick. He came off curls ready to shoot and did not need much time to get his feet organized. Once defenders started closing harder, he showed he could put the ball on the floor and attack, including one drive from the corner where he took the ball hard to the rim and finished with a dunk over size. There was also some real touch in the middle of the floor. He flashed a one-legged fadeaway that looked more like something you would expect from a guard and made several quick touch passes that kept Varese’s offence flowing. Size will always get attention, but size combined with perimeter skill is what made Prato interesting. His offensive profile creates possibilities that are very different from what you expect when you initially see a 6'10 player walk onto the floor. Final Thoughts Blue Arrow delivered what I want from an early-season showcase: unfamiliar matchups, different styles and a chance to see how prospects respond when the size, athleticism and physicality change. Some players reinforced what we already knew, while others left Toronto firmly on the radar for future evaluations. The biggest takeaway was simple: there are a lot of players from this weekend I want to see again.

Before Daniel Banjoko had played a single game for WCPA, head coach Sunny Sooch was already comparing him to Hudson Ward, arguably the program's best player in history. That's not a comparison you hand out lightly, and it's the kind of thing that invites skepticism until you actually watch the guy play. This past weekend in Edmonton was the first real look at Banjoko in a WCPA uniform, three games worth, and by the end of it, the skepticism was gone. Start with the obvious. He was the most athletic player in the gym across the entire three-day event. Not close to it, the most athletic player in the building, full stop, in a weekend that had no shortage of high-level bounce on display. Q'ai Gresham, who put on his own show this weekend, was the closest thing to a rival on that front, and even that was a clear second. Banjoko plays above the rim, finishes lobs, and gets off the floor in a way that separates him physically from essentially everyone else at this level. What actually moved the needle, though, wasn't the athleticism, since that part of the profile was never really in question. It was the jump shot. Three games of evaluation later, the read has changed completely. His shooting mechanics are clean, the ball comes off his hand well, and he can catch and shoot off movement or spot up in rhythm at a level that wasn't expected walking in. He's not yet creating consistently off the bounce, and that's the next piece of the development puzzle, but a high-flying athlete who can also really shoot the basketball is an entirely different category of prospect than a high-flying athlete alone. The interest is already following the production. In the immediate aftermath of the weekend, one Division I program out of the America East conference reached out with real interest, sparked off nothing more than a video clip and word of mouth. No offer yet, but that level of program moving that fast off that little exposure says plenty about where his recruitment is headed. Just as telling was what happened away from the games. On the Sunday, with WCPA not playing at all, Banjoko spent the day working the scorer's table, locked in on the action, smiling, approachable, present, no phone, no distractions. It's a small thing, and it's exactly the kind of small thing that separates a prospect who simply passes the eye test from one who backs it up in every corner of how he carries himself. Between the frame, the flashes of skill, and the way he shows up when nobody's grading him on it, betting against Banjoko being a Division I prospect by the end of this year would be a bad bet to make. Fuel your game with BioSteel. Use code THEMAPLEMINUTE when you shop BioSteel and support independent Canadian basketball coverage at the same time. http://biosteel.ca/themapleminute The Maple Minute may earn a commission on purchases made through our BioSteel affiliate link.