Written by Andrew Sharpe * Player evaluations follow New Brunswick basketball fans got an early Christmas gift this weekend, as three of the top boys high school teams in the Maritimes met for a little round robin. Rothesay Netherwood is a prep school playing out of, you guessed it, Rothesay, NB, near Saint John.  They participate in the National Preparatory Association (NPA), and play against the top high school-age teams in Canada. Citadel High is a public school in Halifax, NS, playing in the School Sport Nova Scotia D1 division.  They finished second in last season’s SSNS championship, but are widely considered the favourite this season.   You can read our full profile of The Phoenix at https://www.themapleminute.com/post/the-best-high-school-boys-basketball-team-in-atlantic-canada Fredericton High School is the third participant, another public school, playing in the School Sport New Brunswick AAA West conference.  The reigning provincial champion, they are also coming off a gold medal win at the Crandall University Hoop Classic in Moncton, the biggest high school tournament in the Maritimes.   So it was a battle of three titans meeting each other for the first time this season, to lay rest the argument of who’s the best high school team in the Maritimes. GAME 1 Full crowd for this one, including rapper and actor Maestro Fresh Wes, and more than one college coach scouting new talent.  The excitement around Citadel is well-deserved; everyone is wondering if a public school can truly compete with a well-established prep program like RNS. It took three quarters to decide, but the Riverhawks reminded us there are levels to this sport, as they pulled ahead in the second half to beat Citadel 104-89, though this was certainly a competitive and exciting game. GAME 2 RNS dominated the Sunday morning rematch, easily winning 95-80, using largely bench players, with Assistant Coach Anthony Anderson (yes, THAT Anthony Anderson) running the show. Citadel were lethargic and largely disinterested, while the RNS bench were hungry and determined.  A fourth-quarter run was all Citadel could muster, but it wasn’t nearly enough to make this a game. The difference between RNS and public schools was quite palpable in these two games, particularly in the way they run sets with deliberate, purposeful movements that were clearly orchestrated.  They have great energy from the court and the bench, and it doesn’t hurt that they have a loud, supportive student section. Conversely, Citadel, accustomed to simply out-athleting teams, largely plays an Open Gym style of 5-out, swinging the ball around until they find an advantage to attack, or, when they get frustrated, resorting to hero ball style early threes without a paint touch.  When it works, they cook.  But against a disciplined team like RNS, the cracks showed. GAME 3 Citadel travelled to Fredericton High School for the third and final game, where they reestablished dominance, eventually pulling out a 122-113 win after allowing the home team to bring the score back from a 20-point deficit. This game featured arguably the two best high school players in the Maritimes: FHS’ Teddy Worley (2026), a UVic commit, and Citadel’s Amari Upshaw (2027).  What a treat to watch the two go at each other, as both took turns taking over the game. Travaris Carvery (2026) both won and nearly lost this game.  Completely in his bag with spins, threes, and floaters, Carvery was dominant until being ejected for an ill-advised second technical for taunting. FHS fans know you never poke the Teddy bear, because Worley responded by putting the Black Kats on his back, to the tune of a 31-point second half, a challenge for the scoresheet writer, who struggled to find room to note them all. Citadel showed some mental toughness in this one.  Playing their third game in two days, they buckled down and got it done.  They remain the favourites in NS D1. RNS PLAYERS Halifax native and former Armbrae Academy player, 6'1” G Elijah Mantley (2028) led RNS with 28 points in game 1.  Mantley is a three-level scorer with amazing quickness, high compete, and pogo hops.  Crazy to think he’s 2028. From Kitchener, ON, 6'7” F Kareem Aljaibat (2026) had 20 points for RNS in game one, and 19 in game two.  Kareem is a long, lanky, exciting player who dunks everything and lets you know about it. Another Nova Scotian, New Waterford’s 6’3” SG Cohen McDonald (2027) is really one to watch.  His high-energy defense and cyborg shooting form are something to see, and his 205 lb frame is college-ready. Elijah, Kareem, and Coen are the noticeable standouts for RNS, and really move the needle for them.  Expect some American attention for these three, and any USports team that gets them will be happy. CITADEL PLAYERS For Citadel, 6'5” G and U17 Team Canada member, Amari Upshaw (2027), from Halifax, had 19, 18, and 20 points to lead his team in all three games.  Perhaps Upshaw’s most impressive talent is knowing when to get a bucket and when to involve his teammates.  If he can get his academics in order, the sky’s the limit for this kid.  6'1" G Travarius Carvery (2026) used his trademark floaters, spins, and logo threes to add 14, 7, and 18 points.  His bulky frame makes him a tough cover at the guard position.  If he can learn to play disciplined, he could be a very nice get at the USports level. 6'1” PG Harrison Norman (2026) provided his usual all-around game, adding 13, 15 and 13 high percentage points on intelligent shot selection.  Norman is a pesky defender, sticking his nose in every possession with tips and touches.  His high IQ and even temperament serve this team well, as they will his college team. Long and lanky 6'6” F Zi’aez Allison (2028) continues to steal minutes on a talented team of seniors.  He had 16, 5, and 16 points, most at the rim, off hard-earned offensive rebounds.  This is one to watch. FHS PLAYERS At this point, 6’5” Teddy Worley (2026) is a man among boys when it comes to high school basketball, scoring at will, to the tune of 36 points in this one.  We look forward to seeing what he can do at UVic. 6’2” Eric Desaulniers (2026) provided 26 points for the Black Kats.  Desaulniers is a Team NB player who should not be overlooked. 6’2” Josh Lawlor (2027) provided 13 points in this game.  It will be very interesting to see how his role increases once the Teddy Show leaves town. 6’5” Ilija Babic (2026) had 16 points in this game, and 24 in last year’s provincial championship game.  He should find a post-secondary team soon.

Written by Andrew Sharpe For two seasons in a row, the Citadel Phoenix, a boys basketball team from downtown Halifax, have been to the Nova Scotia provincial high school championships, and lost.  But before you start talking “bridesmaids”, check the roster. The Phoenix are coached by Alex Petropolis, a young but experienced analytical mind, who was on staff with Canada Basketball, USports’ Dalhousie Tigers, and Basketball Nova Scotia.  The basketball gods have been good to Coach Petropolis, but this year, they downright spoiled him, in the name of one of the best prospects in Canada. Amari Buckets. Team Canada U17 World Cup point guard, Amari Upshaw (2027), who has been playing prep basketball with NBA hopefuls in Arizona and Ontario, has returned home to Halifax to reclass for his grade 11 season.  And he’s joined the Phoenix. Upshaw has long been highly touted as an NCAA prospect, and when you watch him play, it’s easy to see why.  The game looks easy to him.  His thin, deceptively 6’5 frame isn’t imposing, but he floats on a sea of smooth athleticism.  He shoots the long ball, he attacks the rim, he passes.  As the kids say, he’s him. So, you can imagine Coach Petropolis’ excitement when he learned he was adding such a big piece to his veteran team, which already features six battle-tested seniors.  But as anyone who’s coached this game knows, with talent comes challenges.  Finding enough touches for everyone, not to mention managing court time and young egos, is no easy task. Enter Harrison Norman (2026).  On a team of cowboys, he’s the sheriff.  Calm, poised, and dependable, Norman doesn’t have the flash of Upshaw or the dominance of their fellow starter, Travarius Carvery (2026), a physical specimen capable of taking over a game.  But Norman is exactly what the Phoenix need, a risk-averse game manager who provides high-percentage scoring, but is eager to facilitate and defend, a team-first college prospect who plays with poise and joy.   The seniors Norman and Carvery are joined by a mini-Upshaw, another senior, Mukhtar Abokar (2026), a facilitator who’s a threat from deep.  We also need to mention 6’4 senior forward, Noah Gray, and grade 11 forward, Michael Tynes Jr., Upshaw’s younger brother.  Lastly, 6’6 grade 10, Zi’aez Allison, is one to watch, and his classmate, Fin MacLean, can really shoot it. This roster isn’t the only thing that’s loaded.  The coaching staff also features Ben Johnson, an NCAA player at College of Saint Rose and OUA All-Star at Lakehead University, Will Silver, an AUS All-Star at St. FX, and Marquis Clayton, another AUS All-Star with Saint Mary’s.  A coaches versus players game is probably a bad idea. So far, all this has added up to is an undefeated 6-0 season, including a 20-point statement win against the reigning champion Armbrae Academy, and a 14-point victory against the previous season’s champion, CP Allen. You see where this is going.  The Citadel Phoenix are the best high school basketball team east of Quebec, and we predict their two-season run as provincial final runner-up is about to end…in a championship. Promise and prediction ain't worth a penny.  The Phoenix need to focus on structured, team-oriented basketball.  They’re dominating Open Gym right now, but Armbrae and CP Allen will improve, and Millwood are loving the underdog role.  So the worst thing Citadel can do is watch their highlight films and start to believe their own hype.  They need to buckle down, listen to their coaches, lose the ego, and manifest their own destiny. It’s time.

Houston just secured one of the most dominant long-term prospects in North American basketball. Arafan Diane — a 7’1, 270-pound center with a reported 7’4 wingspan — has committed to the Cougars, giving Kelvin Sampson the kind of interior anchor you rarely find: size, power, touch, and real upside. Diane, originally from Guinea, has climbed the basketball ladder through the Canadian and American prep ecosystem, most recently suiting up for Iowa United Prep, where he’s become one of the most heavily recruited bigs in the 2026 class. His recruitment included offers from major programs such as Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and Arkansas, but Houston’s consistency, development track record, and culture separated them. This is a massive win for the Cougars — and a statement about where Diane’s game is heading. A Physical Presence You Can’t Teach At 7’1 and built incredibly sturdy, Diane is unlike almost any other young big across the prep landscape. He’s not just tall — he’s strong, wide-shouldered, and able to control the paint on both ends. He seals deep, finishes through contact, rebounds in traffic, and punishes smaller lineups the moment he touches the ball. His length and timing make him a natural rim protector. He deters drives, challenges without fouling, and forces opponents to re-route everything around him. Houston has built its identity on defense, rebounding, and physicality — and Diane fits that mold perfectly. A Growing Skill Set With Long-Term Upside What makes Diane such a compelling long-term prospect isn’t just his size — it’s how quickly his skill set is expanding. He’s shown comfort scoring with both hands, using a soft touch around the rim and becoming more confident with jump hooks and face-ups. Evaluators close to Iowa United have raved about his development curve: a big man who embraces coaching, works, and adds something new every season. He’s also flashed real passing instincts, especially out of the post when double teams come. That’s huge at the college level, and Houston’s staff clearly sees a foundation they can build into a complete, two-way center. Why Houston Makes Perfect Sense Houston doesn’t chase hype — they chase winners, workers, and guys with the toughness to survive the Cougars’ culture. Landing Diane is a sign that both sides saw the fit clearly. Sampson and his staff have developed bigs by emphasizing discipline, conditioning, and defensive fundamentals. For a young 7’1 center with legitimate pro potential, that environment is exactly what you want: accountability, structure, and a program built on competing every day. The Bigger Picture for Canadian Basketball Diane’s path — from Guinea to Canadian development, to Iowa United, to a national-level commitment — reflects the expanding pipeline of global talent moving through Canada and thriving on big stages. His commitment to Houston is another example of a player with size, patience, and long-term upside choosing a school that develops pros. Arafan Diane isn’t just a massive pickup for Houston — he’s one of the most intriguing big men in the entire 2026 class, with tools that translate and a ceiling that continues to rise.

When you talk about the 2026 class in Canada, there’s one name that consistently rises above the rest — Miles Sadler. The Bella Vista Prep standout has been on a steady climb for the last few years, and today he sits firmly as the best point guard — and best overall player — in Canada’s 2026 class. With his recent commitment to West Virginia, Sadler has stamped himself as the next must-watch Canadian prospect heading to the NCAA. A True Lead Guard Who Controls the Game Sadler is the type of point guard who makes the game look organized even when everything around him gets chaotic. He’s a natural decision-maker — calm in pick-and-roll, dynamic off the bounce, and always a step ahead as a passer. He shoots it with confidence, gets to his spots efficiently, and competes on the defensive end with the same edge he brings offensively. The numbers back up what you see on film: this past EYBL session he averaged 13.3 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 1.8 SPG, showing how complete his two-way game already is. For a guard who’s still early in his development curve, the polish is hard to miss. Canadian Roots, U.S. Development Originally from Canada, Sadler made the jump to the U.S. to sharpen his game at Bella Vista Prep (AZ), and it’s clear that the move paid off. He blended the toughness and fundamental base you see from Canadian guards with the pace, physicality, and spacing of American prep basketball. That combination is exactly why his stock skyrocketed. Why West Virginia Was the Move For Sadler, West Virginia offered everything he was looking for: A real opportunity to play right away A coaching staff that believed in him early A system that values tough, smart, competitive guards The Mountaineers are in a rebuilding phase, and Sadler arrives as a foundational piece — the type of guard who can bring stability, scoring, leadership, and a defensive presence from day one. What Makes Sadler Special There are good point guards, and then there are players who change the tempo and shift the outcome just by being on the floor. That’s Sadler. Three-level scoring High-IQ facilitator Competes defensively Elite pace and poise Leadership qualities you can build a team around His ceiling is high, but what makes him so valuable is how high his floor already is. He’s reliable, battle-tested, and rarely gets sped up — traits you can’t teach. Another Win for Canadian Basketball Each year, we see another wave of Canadian guards carve out their path south of the border. Sadler is the next in line — and a legitimate blueprint for the younger generation coming up behind him. His West Virginia commitment isn’t just another headline. It’s a statement: Canada’s top guard in 2026 is ready for the spotlight — and the spotlight is ready for him.

With November 17th marking the opening day for basketball in Saskatchewan, it’s time to assess the top teams in the province this year. Hoopla will be hosted in Moose Jaw, and the 5A field will feature two teams from Saskatoon, three from Regina, and three qualifying rural teams. As I analyze the provincial basketball landscape, I notice that this year will be tough to predict, as we lost a very strong group of grade 12s. Last year saw a lot of continuity with teams, but we are looking at almost every top team having lost half their roster, so junior programs and coaching will play a huge factor in which teams will be at Hoopla. This year is a moving target; other than injuries and a transfer, I was mostly correct all last season. This year, I am sure there will be movement all over the place, and teams not even ranked may be Hoopla contenders. These rankings are based on conversations with coaches, basketball enthusiasts, and players themselves. The interesting aspect of team rankings is that they are not definitive; teams will ultimately earn their places at Hoopla through their performance. I have gathered information on where to watch these teams, so fans and college coaches can follow their progress when they are nearby. #1   Carlton Comprehensive High School Crusaders (Prince Albert, SK) I think they are the team to beat on paper. They finished 7th at Hoopla after a dominant run in the rural qualifying draw. This team returns the most minutes played of any team that participated in Hoopla last season. They will return (2027) 6'1 Zane Litzenberger, who was team Saskatchewan's leading scorer at nationals, and (2027) 6'4 Emerson MacQuiag, who is a nightmare inside for almost any high school team they will face. Add to this (2027) 6'6 Clarence Ermine, (2028) 6'7 Landon Stonestand, (2027) 5'9 Everett Moccasin-Bourke, and (2027) 6'0 Colton Golding, all took huge steps last year and will fill valuable roles as the team looks to bring home a championship banner. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments; they do not play any league games: Carlton Tourney (Prince Albert, SK) - Nov 28-29th GIT (St Joseph High; Saskatoon, SK) - Dec 4-6 Moose Jaw Tourney (Moose Jaw, SK) - Dec 12-13 BRIT ( Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 8-10 Estevan Tourney (Estevan, SK) - Jan 16-17 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 29-31 Tri-Prov (Harry Ainley; Edmonton, AB) - Feb 4-7 Peacock Tourney (Moose Jaw, SK) - Feb 27-28 North Battleford Tourney (North Battleford, SK) - March 6-7 #2  St Joseph Collegiate Guardians (Saskatoon) 2024/25 was a great year for the Guardians, and Coach Paul Hansen will look to keep building on that this season. They lost 7 players from last year's team, with Nemo Arnold (Holland College) and Demi Akinmoyero (Douglas College) moving on to college, Raphael Ewejobi graduating, and Leandro Rego moving to Edmonton. They will still have a lot of talent, including (2027) 6'5 "Mayo Alabi and (2027) 6'3" Kaden MacAngus, both of whom I highlighted in my "Players to Watch" article last week. Add to them (2027) 5'9 Khynne Aspero, (2027) 6'3 Owen Graham, and (2029) 6'0 Fidel Linantud. Their junior team had a good season last year, but will that be enough depth to hold off all the teams below? We shall see. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Mike Dea Invitational (St FX; Edmonton, AB) Nov 27-29 GIT (St Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) Dec 4-6 BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) Jan 29-31 LIT (Luther; Regina, SK) Feb 5-7 #3   Martin Collegiate Monarchs (Regina) Coming off a season where they finished as Regina City Champions and 3rd in the province, Coach Rob Thomson is looking to break through and win it all this season. They lost 10 players to graduation, including 6'2 "Thomas Olson (Medicine Hat College), 6'5 "Corban Andres (Red Deer College), and 6'4 "Aiden Newton; however, they have had a powerhouse junior program over the last several years that will replenish some of the pieces. (2027) 6'1 guard Zack Zaiser will be their main guy and will drive them with his relentless attacking and motor. (2028) 5'8 Kobe Thomson will again start at the point. He was big at times for them as a Grade 10 starter last season, and he has stepped his game up further this summer playing with Golden Ticket. They will also return (2027) 6' Judah Frentz and (2027) 6'1 Eric Flaman. (2028) 6'5 Kehinde Ajayi, (2028) 6'4 Kiefer Derkitt, and (2029) 6'5 Braydon Waldron will all be looked upon to make the leap to the senior team and provide the size they need to defend their city championship and maybe earn Martin the long-awaited Hoopla title. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: MIBT (Martin; Regina, SK) - Nov 20-22nd BSSI (Brandon, MB) - Dec 11-13th BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 8-10th St Mary's (Calgary, AB) - Jan 29-31st LIT - qualifier TBA #4  Holy Cross Collegiate Crusaders (Saskatoon) The defending provincial champs will be in for a big learning curve this season as they graduated 10 players, including Kian Tyson (Edge Prep), Moe Osman (Saskatchewan), and Goloom Bein. But Coach Josh Rutten has done nothing but win in his 3 seasons as head coach with 2 Hoopla titles and a bronze. He will start with a great foundation as (2027) 6'2 Raph Mutungolo may be the best defensive player in Western Canada, and (2028) 5'10 Lucian Tyson is a bucket that will be a nightmare for teams to contain. Add to them some grade 12s that looked good over the summer in club, a very talented group of juniors coming up, and the possibility of (2030) 6' Syn Tyson making the squad as a grade 9, make this a team that will once again contend. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) Jan 29-31 (British Columbia) Feb 5-7 #5 Michael A. Riffel High School Royals (Regina) 2024/25 did not turn out the way that coach Shields planned, as Davin Berry got hurt early in the year, and without him, they really couldn't challenge for the Hoopla title. They still had a solid season, finishing 2nd in Regina and playing well at Hoopla. They do lose 7 players on top of Davin (Regina football), and replacing Ian Randall, Ethan Aveyard (Okanagan College), and Grady Wilson (Golden Ticket Post Grad) will not be an easy feat. (2027) 6'5 shooter Joe Lippai had some big games last year and will need to take a huge role for this squad if they want to challenge for a city and Hoopla title. He will also count on (2027) 5'11 Jevin Kassick and (2028) 6' Rayce Shaw to lead a good group of juniors. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: BSSI (Brandon, MB) - Dec 11-13th Royal Rumble (Riffel; Regina, SK) - Jan 9-10th CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st LIT - qualifier TBA The Rock (Regina Christian; Regina SK) Feb 26-28 #6   Miller Maurauders (Regina) Coach Nav Burke will be looking to get back to Hoopla, and this team should get him there. 2024/25 was a building year with only 2 grade 12s on the roster, which means he is returning 13 players. (2027) 6' guard Mofope Soyemi will be his undisputed leader after a great summer with Rise Above and Saskatchewan. He is joined by (2029) 6'1 Jacob Del Castillo, who was one of the top scorers at U15 nationals and will have a green light to light up play every time he steps on the floor. Add solid players like (2027) 6'0 Joshua Kabongo, and (2027) Goodness Odumosu, and they should be able to hold on to a spot at Hoopla and possibly even win it all. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Totem Classic (Ross Sheppard; Edmonton, AB) - Dec 4-6 CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st #7   Walter Murray Collegiate Mauraders (Saskatoon) This will be a changing of the guard for Coach Hawley, and his son Zach will be suiting up for Edge Prep and not Walter Murray. The 2 have led the team to 2 consecutive city championships as well as 2 Hoopla Silvers and 1 championship in the past 3 years. Combined with losing Faisal Mahadhi (Saskatchewan), Nickolay Khivrich, and Darius Moss (Golden Ticket Post Grad), this team has a lot of minutes to fill. However, as significant a loss as the above seems, they are returning nine players who have gained valuable experience and may step up to bring home another title. (2027) 6' Isak Larsen will be their leader, and I think he is ready to take on the role. Also returning (2027) 6'5 Zach Mochoruk, (2027) 6'1 Mouad Etagiuru, (2028) 5'11 Andrew Hawley, and 5'8 Lucas Hawley, will all be ready to fill roles and create their own legacies at Murray. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: GIT (St Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) Dec 4-6 REB (Jasper Place; Edmonton, AB) Dec 11-13 BRIT (Saskatoon, SK) Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) Jan 29-31 #8  Campbell High School Tartans (Regina) 2024/25 was a year that saw Campbell compete hard every game and find themselves finishing 6th at Hoopla. They will lose some huge pieces as Adriane Reaume, Treysen Perras, Aidan Kreutzer, and Julio Ruiz have all graduated. The biggest loss may be head coach Zenon Orobko, who I think is the next great coach from Sask, to Riffel, where he will be with Coach Sheilds. New head Coach Aaden Hamann will be starting with maybe the most talented roster in Regina, but also a very young one. (2028) 6'5 Dominic Baker-Poloma, (2028) 6'2 Sascha Scoular, and (2028) 6'8 Demetry Gotsoulias will be the team to beat in 2026/27, and I'm sure they will push hard to win one this season as well. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Medicine Hat Tourney (Medicine Hat, AB) - Dec 5-7 Crosstown Classic (Regina, SK) Jan 15-17 CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st LIT - qualifier TBA #9  Swift Current Colts 2024/25 saw the Colts make an impressive run at the Regional Tournament to secure a birth in Hoopla. I did not rank them a single time last year, and I won't be missing out on coach Phil Braun's squad again. They return 9 players that have been together for a few years on the spring club circuit and will be looking to make a deep run at Hoopla this year. (2028) 5'8 Manning Unger, (2027) 6'2 Nate Siemens, and (2027) 6'1 Toby Klassen will be just names to watch for this squad. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Carlton Tourney (Prince Albert, SK) - Nov 28-29th Swift Current Tourney (Swift Current, SK) - Dec 4-6 Swift Current Tourney (Swift Current, SK) - Jan 8-10 MIT (Walter Murray; Saskatoon, SK) - Jan 29-31 Peacock Tourney (Moose Jaw, SK) - Feb 27-28 The Rock (Regina Christian; Regina SK) Feb 26-28 #10  LeBoldus Golden Suns (Regina) 2024/25 was a rebuilding year for the Suns, who have consistently been the top men's program in Regina, as 4 Hoopla titles and 4 runner-up finishes since 2010 show. Coach Patrick Reed will have 6 players returning, including 4 starters. (2027) 5'10 Mike McLellan is fresh off an impressive summer with Rise Above and will be joined by (2028) 6'5 Sam Hominuke, whose game was very impressive for Golden Ticket this summer. They will be joined by (2027) 6'0 Tobi Kukura, who has signed with the Rams for football next season and will bring a lot of energy. Look for them to not only push for a spot at Hoopla but also try to stave off a couple of teams that will be challenging that I didn't rank. Their schedule this year will include the following tournaments to complement league play: Mike Dea Invitational (St FX; Edmonton, AB) Nov 27-29 GIT (St Joseph; Saskatoon, SK) Dec 4-6 Crosstown Classic (Regina, SK) Jan 15-17 CIT (Campbell; Regina, SK) - Jan 29-31st Instead of Honorable mentions, here are my predictions for the teams in each city, as well as my top 5 rural teams. Saskatoon Premiere League St Joseph Guardians Walter Murray Marauders Holy Cross Crusaders Aden Bowman Bears Bishop J Mahoney Saints Centennial Chargers Marion Graham Falcons Bedford Road RedHawks Regina Premiere League Martin Monarchs Riffel Royals Miller Mauraders Campbell Tartans Leboldus Suns Regina Christian - 3A Harvest City Reapers - 4A O'Neill Titans Rural Team Carleton Crusaders (Prince Albert) Swift Current Colts Central Cyclones - 4A (Moose Jaw) North Battleford Vikings St Mary's

2024/25 was a great season in Saskatchewan, and we had some memorable moments, including buzzer-beater wins in both Saskatoon city finals and Saskatchewan provincial final, both involving Walter Murray and Holy Cross. College coaches were watching and paying attention as 16 players from grade 12 last season have moved on to play basketball at the next level : 5 - USport (Faisal Mahadi - USask, Moe Osman - USask, Osaze Oseghale- Dalhousie, Eston Glass- URegina, and Nathan Matebekwane- Queen's) 6 - CCAA (Demi - Douglas College, Thomas Olsen - Medicine Hat, Corbin Andres - Red Deer, Chase Seaborn - Briercrest, Ethan Aveyard - Okanagan, Nemo Arnold - Holland) 4 - Prep School (Kian Tyson - Edge, Cher Madol - Greater Destiny Prep , Jesse Klinger - The Academy Phoenix, and Mukungu Mutabazi - WCPA) 1 - MCAC (Garrett Smith) There were also 5 players from the 2023/24 grad class that went to prep and have now found college homes. Kaden Thompson - Ontario Tech (USport), Ethan Short - Dakota College at Bottineau, Osagie Okundaye - FPC Junior College, Jeremy Proctor - Ambrose (CCAA), and Dru Swain - Augustana (CCAA). This year I have decided not to rank the players as those are arbitrary numbers and were unneccesary, the post-secondary coaches I talk to would like to know skills, attitude and upside more than who compares to who, so this year I am simply going to highlight the 13 players that I have observed over the past year that coaches need to be looking at for thier programs. Please note that I did not include Zach Hawley and Nado Nadayikengurukiye as they will be playing their grade 12 seasons at Edge Prep in Calgary and Orangeville in Ontario, respectively, and will be highlighted in due time. Ben is a highly athletic prospect who experienced a significant surge in performance over the summer. He plays above the rim and is always noticeable in every game. He has shown the ability to stretch the floor with his shot, and his defense is solid. Every time I saw him play with Slam Elite and then during the Homecourt Summer League, he continued to add to his game. If he continues his evolution during the season with Centennial, he projects to be a wing that can bring a ton of energy to a team. He could be a solid pick-up for a CCAA team looking to add athleticism and depth. Emerson is a problem in the paint for most teams and has a very unique skill set. He uses his size well to get position and leverage against bigger players in the post. He is an excellent rebounder who consistently battles for every ball. He steps out and has an improving 3-point shot, especially from the corner. Emerson impressed during the summer with his Thunder club team, and my fellow Maple Minute contributor Harrison Paulichuk noted some of his standout games. Despite being undersized, I think that Emerson could become a contributor for a CCAA team that provides strength and smart play. Isak is a high-IQ player who has a great feel for the game. Watching him play over the past several years with Rise Above, Saskatchewan, and Walter Murray has shown me that he is always an impact player who finds a role to excel in. His ability to guard the best player for the opposition is incredibly valuable; he can also be trusted to keep the offense flowing and knock down shots when left open. I believe that Isak will be a sleeper pick up for a USport or CCAA program that will work extremely hard and be a long-term prospect that makes an impact during his career. Isaiah is a strong guard who uses his athleticism to get to the rim and score in traffic. He showed that he can run a team and put pressure on the opposition during the club season with Rise Above. He is a capable shooter, especially in catch-and-shoot situations. Isiah has all the tools to play at a CCAA school and continue to grow his game further. I like his willingness to take on different roles within a team and attack it with vigor. Jacob had a huge summer for both Greenwave United and the Saskatchewan provincial team and drew a lot of attention. The big man has been a secret gem hidden in Martensville, but it appears he is no longer a secret. The big man is very athletic and was more comfortable every time he touched the floor. He is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, and finishes above the rim on offense from both the dunker spot and off the dribble from the wing. USport coaches have already taken notice, and he has drawn attention. He is a prospect that could be a sneaky pick up for a JuCo, NCAA Division 2, or a prep program that could mold him into a 5 leaf prospect with another year of training. Joseph may be the best shooter in Saskatchewan this year. He can knock it down from anywhere and has a quick release that makes him tough to defend. He has excellent size on the wing at 6'5 and is a good team defender that finds ways to impact the game at that end as well. I think he will find himself a role with a USport or CCAA team due to his size and the fact that he is not a stranger to playing in tough situations, as his play with Rise Above and Saskatchewan has demonstrated. Kaden is a very athletic prospect who demonstrated his ability to shoot the ball effectively this summer with Saskatchewan at the Canada Games. He has consistently demonstrated an exceptional handle and ability to break down defenses off the bounce with Slam Summit all summer. I believe Kaden will be a great pick-up for a CCAA team that is looking for the type of athlete that can complement existing players. He has all the athletic tools to compete at that level and continue his improvement. Kai is a player that I have been watching for a long time, and he puts in the work to consistently improve and push his game to new levels. He is extremely coachable and has a great attitude that will be a positive for the program that signs him. He is a combo guard who breaks down defenses to get to his midrange game, where he makes shots. He is a very cerebral player who can lead an offense and get his teammates into the right spots. His 3-point shot and defense keep improving. Mofope can score the ball with any guard in Saskatchewan, and he has an incredibly quick burst that gets him by defenders with ease. This summer with Rise Above and Saskatchewan, I was impressed with his improved passing and play-making abilities. He showed real leadership in making sure the team was composed and everyone was involved. I do not see Mofope play a lot, but every time I do, I am impressed with his improvement and overall game. He will be a prospect to watch that will help a CCAA program and may be a nice prospect for the right USPort fit. Mayo is the most intriguing prospect in Saskatchewan this year. He has great size and is an impressive athlete. He plays above the rim on both ends of the floor and is not afraid to attack a defensive player who tries to stand between him and the basket. He has an improving shot that forces you to guard him on the perimeter. When locked in on defense, he moves extremely well and can stay in front of smaller players. Mayo is a prospect that USport, JuCo's, and NCAA Division 2 coaches should be in contact with. I would not be surprised if he were also looking at prep programs to take another year to work on his game and see what opportunities exist for him. Raph is the heart of any team he plays on and brings a defensive mindset that is rare, as seen by his last several seasons with Greenwave United. He uses his 6'7 wing span and athleticism to really make opposing point guards work every second they have the ball. Offensively, he gets to the paint and makes plays for his teammates, and his finishing keeps improving. Raph will be a great addition for any USport or CCAA team as he can contribute as a defensive player immediately. As he continues to spend hours in the gym working on his shot form and consistency, his stick will rise, and he could be someone whose stick will rise. Zack is my sleeper pick as he continued to impress me more and more all summer with his Golden Ticket club team. He is a tough, athletic prospect who plays extremely hard. He comes from a hockey background, and that is apparent when you watch his game. He attacks the basket with abandon and puts a lot of pressure on the opposition. Zack is a prospect who should fit in seamlessly with a CCAA team that wants grit on their roster. He plays well with other talent and makes good decisions with or without the ball. Zane is a two-sport athlete who should have a lot of options at the end of his high school career. This summer, he was Saskatchewan's leading scorer and was a standout for Rise Above in their Prep Hoops circuit. He has a physically mature build that college coaches will love, and already plays a physical college-style game. Zane's strength is his physical ability to get to the rim, draw contact, and finish, putting incredible pressure on the opposition. He is an excellent perimeter defender who changes games when he locks in. He can also knock down shots from all over the court and keeps his defenders honest. This will be a tough season to predict in Saskatchewan, as you will see in my upcoming preseason rankings article, which is scheduled to be released next week. E veryone lost a lot of talented players to graduation; these players will be asked to lead young teams and provide a lot. I truly believe that we will see all 13 of these young men play beyond grade 12, as they all have skill sets and attitudes that will be successful. I encourage any coach interested to reach out to me and their coaches for info. I will continue to follow and cover these athletes and more throughout the season with articles from big tourneys and tweets from league games, and smaller tourneys.

After such a positive response to my 2024/25 ACAC preview, I have decided to reach out to the Canada West coaches and put together a preview for them. One of the things you will quickly realise is that this is a tough league to compete in with outstanding coaches and talent, teams bring in very select freshmen each year, and a lot of transfers are occurring. We have seen more players transferring to NCAA Division 1 from USport over the last several years, but that also comes with players transferring back from American programs, and American players seeing quality in USport, and transferring here to finish their careers. This year, the Canada West playoffs will once again feature the top 5 teams from the Pacific division and top 7 from the Prairie division, who are slotted by record, as all teams will play 20 league games. Calgary will be the host for nationals, meaning they get an automic berth. Canada West also gets 2 berths, so there will be 3 teams from this list at nationals. There is also a wildcard that the 3rd or 4th place team (depending on where Calgary finishes) can apply for, which could see 4 of the 8 teams in Calgary from Canada West. I highly recommend that young players who want to play beyond high school need to get out to watch local games, both USport and CCAA, to see just how tough it is to play at the next level and how much work they need to put in. PACIFIC DIVISION Victoria Vikes Where else can I rank the defending national champs but in 1st place? They have been the top team in Canada West for the 2020s, and that doesn't look to end soon. They return 4 out of 5 starters with Geoffrey James (5th; Edmonton, AB) coming back from injury, Reynaldo Robinson (4th; Montreal, QC) coming off 1st team Canada West honors, Ethan Boag (5th; Victoria, BC) having earned 2nd team Canada West, and Shadynn Smd (4th; Duncan, BC). They will add Cam Slaymaker (2nd; Coquitlam, BC) from Southern Nazarene University and an incoming freshman class as good as any in the country, with Toren Franklin (1st; Victoria, BC), Tyler Felt (1st; Victoria, BC), and Justin Hinrichsen (1st; Victoria, BC) all opting to stay home. There isn't much I can say about this program; they have lost a coach, a national Player of the Year, and yet they keep reloading and rolling along. 2. University of British Columbia (UBC) T-Birds An era has ended at UBC as Kevin Hansen announced his retirement over the summer. After 25 seasons and 600+ wins, the Thunderbirds will now move forward under interim coach Philip Jalalpoor. The team itself will look different as 7 of the 10 players that regularly saw action last season have moved on, most notably Canada West 1st team all-star Adam Olsen (3rd; Surrey, BC), who will suit up for South Alabama this season in the NCAA. The team will center around 6'10 "center Luka Guzina (4th; Vancouver, BC), who will be building on his 3rd-team all-star appearance. He, along with Tobi Akinkunmi (5th; Calgary, AB), Toni Maric (5th; Vancouver, BC), and Canada West All-rookie selection Nylan Roberts (2nd; Abbotsford, BC), will be looked upon to keep UBC's winning traditions alive. The Thunderbirds also add Holt Tomie (5th; Calgary, AB) from Mount Royal to bolster their rotation. This team boasts a lot of size and physicality, which should keep them in the hunt to make a run at the Canada West crown and secure another shot at nationals. 3. University of Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades The Cascades finished 5th in the Pacific division last season, and Coach Joe Enevoldson will look to improve upon that, bringing back 11 players, including 2nd team all-star Dario Lopex (5th; Madrid, SPAIN). This team has a lot of size with 6'11 Matthias Klim (5th; Chilliwack, BC) and Malcolm Tyley (2nd; Langley, BC). They will add 3 transfers to the deep returning core as Bennett O'Connor (3rd: Fall City, WA) from Skagit Valley College, Jaylen Lee (2nd; Chilliwack, BC) from Calgary, and Mateo Kells (2nd; Foothills, AB) from Olds, could all provide meaningful minutes. This team is tough and has a lot of depth that should see them settle into the playoffs, but also challenge UBC for a first-round bye. 4. Trinity Western University (TWU) Spartans Coach Trevor Pridie and the Spartans had a solid season last year, finishing 3rd in the Pacific division before meeting the eventual champions, the Calgary Dinos, in the quarterfinals. They will be without Canada West 2nd team all-star Josh Belvin and 3rd team all-star Jerric Palma this season, as both have completed their eligibility. The team will be looking to 6'11 Connor Platz (5th; Langley, BC) and David Mutabazi (5th; Delta, BC) for leadership, especially after they both had big summers in CEBL and the Rwanda national team, respectively. They will add a trio of transfers in Pearse Long (3rd; Temecula, CA) from Mira Costa College, Rondell Moore (3rd; Diamond Bar, CA) from LA Valley College, and Tyus DeVries (4th; Chilliwack, BC) from Thompson River. They are also high on freshman Logan Stewart (1st; Langley, BC). 5. Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Wolfpack After a 10-10 season that saw the Wolfpack make the playoffs, Coach Chad Jacobson will have a lot of work to do this coming season with a team that will only return 5 players. Steve Stinson (4th; San Diego, CA), Dami Farinlove (4th; Winnipeg, MB) and Thomas Olsen (5th; Surrey, BC) will have to lead early as the coach works in his 4 transfers and 4 freshmen. Transfers Jaeden Bynoe (3rd; Ajax, ON) from SUNY Niagara, Jayden Green (3rd; Fresno, CA) from Mendocino Community College, Fran Monreal (Zaragoza, SPAIN) from Fort Hayes NW Tech, and Jayden Stephen (Calgary, AB) from Rust College will all take some time adjusting to USport play. Still, they should provide talent and experience to help get them back to the playoffs. Freshmen Cason Scott (1st; Kamploos, BC) and Chris Piorowski (1st; Winnipeg, MB) are both highly touted and may be able to impact games this season. 6. University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBC-O) Heat After missing the playoffs last season, Coach Clayton Pottinger will have his work cut out for him after graduating 7 players from last year's roster. He will be counting on veteran leadership from Jalen Shirley (5th; Brampton, ON), Lamine Conde (3rd; Montreal, QC), and Isaak Moore (3rd; Kelowna, BC). He will need his 11 freshmen to step up quickly, and believes Anthony Brady (1st; Calgary, AB) could make an impact early. 7. University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves Coach Todd Jordan will be looking for growth from within on this squad that will see 12 players returning, including 7 players returning for their sophomore season. Leading scorer Evgeny Baukin (4th; Moscow, RU) will be looked upon again, along with Justin Sunga (4th; Burnaby, BC, Ben White (2nd; Richmond, BC), and Canada West all-rookie selection Isiah Bias(2nd; Vancouver, BC). However, they also brought in some key pieces to help the returning squad in transferring Haukur Davidsson (3rd; Hveragerdi, ICELAND) from New Mexico Military Institute and their only freshman, Cairo Wells (Coquitlam, BC). Climbing up the standings to the playoffs will be tough in this Pacific Division, but it may be within reach if this team keeps its core together. Prairie Division 1. University of Manitoba Bisons Coach Kirby Schepp led his Bisons to a 16-4 record and top spot in the Prairies division, but a tough loss in the bronze medal game to eventual national champs Victoria kept them from advancing to nationals. This year, they will look to compete for not only Canada West but also a national title with 6 5th-year players on their roster. They will be led by Canada West 1st team all-star Mason Kraus (5th; Winnipeg, MB), Cieran O'Hara (5th; Winnipeg, MB), and Manyang Tong (5th; Calgary, AB). They have added several freshmen to give them the depth they will need, but none will be bigger for them than Ramogi Nyagudi (1st; Winnipeg, MB), who transferred home after a redshirt year with St Thomas (NCAA D1). 2. University of Calgary Dinos Coach Vanhooren put together a very talented team in 2024/25 that finished first in the division, won Canada West, and made it all the way to the national final. They would like to get back and win it this year, even more so when they will be hosting it right in the Jack Simpson gym. However, they will have some major holes to fill as USPort player of the year Nate Petrone has moved on to professional aspirations, Noah Wharton has graduated, and Declan Peterson has transferred to Western Michigan (NCAA D1). They will need Beckett Johnson (3rd; Salmon Arm, BC), Aiden Smith (4th; Cochrane, AB), and Martynas Sabaliquska (5th; Vilnius, LITHUANIA) to take on bigger roles. They were also very aggressive in their reload this summer and have added transfers Eli Djordjevic (2nd; White Rock, BC) from Long Beach State, Hayden Franson (4th; American Forks, UT) from Cornell, and Dre Francis (4th; Toronto, ON) from Aquinas College. They have also added some impact freshmen who will contribute immediately in Aleksandar Kukovic (1st; Burnaby, BC), Mrigendra Dhaliwal (1st; Calgary, AB), and Daniel Chijioke (1st; Fort McMurray, AB). This team will grow, but unlike everyone else, they know they will be at nationals and can focus solely on the goal of peaking come playoffs and being ready to defend their Canada West title. 3 . University of Winnipeg Wesmen The Wesmen finished last season in a tie for 1st place in the Prairie Division but were knocked out in the quarterfinals by UBC. Coach Mike Raimbault will be bringing back a majority of his players, but the loss of 2nd team all-star Shawn Maranan may take some time. The team will bring back 9 players, including Kato Jaro (3rd; Winnipeg, MB), Malachi Alexander (5th; Winnipeg, MB), and Ryan Luke (4th; Winnipeg, MB). Emmanuel Ugbah (3rd; Winnipeg, MB) will join the team from Carleton, and 5 freshmen will give the coach some depth. Look for Paul Ogweno (1st; Winnipeg, MB) and Jayden Westerlund (1st; Stockholm, SWE) to play roles this season. This team could make a run at cross-town rivals, Manitoba, to finish at the top of the division, but I think they will settle into this spot and be a very tough opponent for a top seed in the quarterfinals. 4. University of Alberta Golden Bears The Bears are an interesting team coming back with all but 1 player; however, they lost coach Barnaby Craddock to Simon Fraser University (NCAA D2) over the summer. Coach Geoff Pippus comes in with huge expectations, but having coached Camosun College on Vancouver Island, I'm sure he is used to those. This team will be led once again by Canada West 2nd team all-star and CEBL development player of the year Isaac Simon (4th; Regina, SK), who will be looking for Rookie of the year Kyle Varner (2nd; Munich, GER) and All-rookie team selection Nash Semeniuk (2nd; Kelowna, BC) to continue their development. If the 'bigs', Carden Kushnir (3rd; Edmonton, AB) and Carson Fisher (2nd; Spruce Grove, AB) can battle nightly, this team could be in for a long playoff run in February. 5. University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Coach Kenny Otieno has slowly built this team over the last several seasons, and this could be the year they break through to make a playoff run. They do lose Angelo Mbituyimana, who was 3rd team Canada West all-star and their leading scorer, which is the one reason I think they are still a year away. The Pronghorns do return 10 players, including Kymani Pollard (5th; Gardena, CA), Mason Hoffman (2nd; Magrath, AB), and Bryce Solis (4th; Calgary, AB). They grabbed Manny Biden (3rd; Regina, SK) from Okanagan College and signed freshman Cole Steele (1st; Kelowna, BC), who will shore up their rotation. 6. Mount Royal University (MRU) Cougars Last season saw Coach Josh Mullens take over and retool the Cougars and finish with a 10-10 record. He has lost Canada West 3rd team all-star Keivonte Watts to graduation, but returns a very solid core featuring Kuach Gajak (2nd; Calgary, AB), Kole Scott (4th; Ajax, ON), and Sam Barnie (4th; Courtney, BC). The Cougars will also add 2 impact transfers in Tag Layton (2nd; Calgary, AB), who last played for Lethbridge before his 2-year mission, and Faruq Balarabe (2nd; London, ENG) from Lake Superior State. One of the keys to watch will be the progress their incoming freshmen can make as Coach Mullens has a very highly-touted class coming in, including Desmond Ducheck (1st; Summerland, BC), Jacob McLellan (1st; Calgary, AB), and Jose Gabaldon (1st; Seville, Spain). This team is young, with a majority of the roster as 1st and 2nd years; however, I think they will surprise a lot of teams and be a tough match-up come playoff time. 7. University of Saskatchewan Huskies This will be Coach Jaime Campbell's third year with the Huskies, and his roster is young, as he has worked hard to recruit players who fit his system. He will bring back 8 players from last year's roster that were in the playoff hunt right to the end. He will rely heavily on 2023/24 Canada West Rookie of the Year Easton Thimm (3rd; Saskatoon, SK), who spent time in the CEBL this summer. Emmanuel Bonsu (5th; St-Laurent, QC) will be the team leader, and Dylan Miller (3rd; Calgary, AB) will be asked to provide additional support. The Huskies also added more young talent this summer with transfer Mohamed Mahadi (2nd; Saskatoon, SK) coming home from Central Wyoming College and Freshmen Treyvon Folkes (1st; Brampton, ON), Josiah Roberts (1st; Brampton, ON), and Josiah Draper (1st; Braeside, ON). This team will be tough to make the playoffs, but I will put them in mainly because I will admit I am a homer and see this team weekly. 8. Brandon University Bobcats The Bobcats finished last season with a 7-13 record, but that was enough to secure their spot in the playoffs, where they hope the experience gained will benefit them this season. First Team Canada West all-star Sultran Haider Bhatti (5th; Laval, QC) will lead the attack after averaging over 20 points per game. He will be joined by Travis Hamberger (5th; Richmond, BC) and Youri Cange (2nd; Mascouche, QC). Coach Gil Chang also has recruited Junior college transfers DeMarco Duncan and Malik Brown (3rd; Portland, OR). If you have followed us on Maple Minute, you will know we were very high on Munroop Gill (1st; Surrey, BC), who, along with Arjun Hehar (1st; Surrey, BC) could easily be the best freshman duo in USport this season. 9. University of Regina Cougars Last season, the Cougars were eliminated from the playoffs right at the end of the season, and Coach Steve Burrows would like nothing more than to get back in this year. They have lost a few imports but will return 9 players, including leading scorers Ben Kamba (5th; Calgary, AB) and Lodie Kenyi (5th; Calgary, AB). Also expect Drew Akerman (4th; Meadow Lake, SK) and Zach Hillis (3rd; Regina, SK) to take leaps forward this year. They also secured a couple of transfers to replace the departed players, Sufyan Ekannan (4th; Denver, CO) from Metro State University of Denver, Ajang Tong (3rd; Calgary, AB) from Bossier Parish Community College, and Gurech Gurech (4th; Calgary, AB) from Olds College should all be contributors this season. The Cougars will also look to 3 freshmen to provide depth. MacEwan University Griffins The last couple of seasons have not been kind to MacEwan as wins have been very hard to find for them, but the new head Coach, David Kapinga, is ready to go to work and turn around this program. He does return a few players, including Canada West all-rookie Diego Presingular (2nd; Winnipeg, MB). Even though the coach has returning players, he has brought in a lot of experience in 5 transfers Marcus Moore (3rd; Scarborough, ON) from Nipissing, Nathaniel Mtumba (3rd; Pickering, ON) from TMU, Elisha Ampofo (5th; Milton, ON) from Brandon, Favour Igbinyemi (3rd; Surrey, BC) from Mount Aloysius (NCAA Division 3) and Peter-Aulk Deng (2nd; Edmonton, AB) from NAIT. Along with 4 freshmen, they will battle this season and hopefully find a way to pick up some wins. This season will be fun to watch, as I actually have no clue what will happen. As much fun as these articles are to write and put together, they are stressful because I actually have no clue how these teams will come together through the year, and they are all stacked with talent and great coaching. In the end, they will do their talking on the court. With that being said, I will make some bold predictions. Victoria and Manitoba will make nationals, but we will not get the wild card, as there will be upsets during the playoffs, so the team finishing 4th (Calgary will be top 3) won't have the resume to get the wildcard. Isaac Simon from Alberta will be the Canada West Player of the Year. Munroop Gill will be Rookie of the Year and will be joined on the all-rookie team by Mrigendra Dhaliwal (Calgary), Cason Scott (Thompson River), Ramogi Nyagudi (Manitoba), and 1 of the 3 Victoria rookies.

I attended the first weekend of the Dime Sessions over the weekend, and once again, this league will be a must-watch for coaches of all levels. The Dime Sessions is a U20 league that features some of the best prep, post-grad, and club teams from Western Canada in a series of 7 weekends culminating in the championship weekend, February 6-8, 2026, in Calgary, AB. There are 14 teams that will be competing for the championship, with numerous other programs that will take part in the various weekends leading up to the championship. This is the league's 3rd season, and we have seen players move on to every level of play (NCAA Division 1 and 2, Junior College, USport, and CCAA), making this a unique recruiting opportunity for coaches to see players playing against high-level competition every game. The league will play in 4 cities (Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and Seattle) in the coming months, and I will be on site to cover the Edmonton and Calgary tournaments, and all the games will be streamed live on YouTube (@TheDimeSessions). This first weekend saw 13 teams play in 21 games over the 3 days, while a couple of teams that are expected to be at the top of the standings did not compete this weekend, we saw some amazing talent including a new program to the Dime Sessions (One Prep) and a very talented Supreme squad made up of some of the best grade 11 and 12's in Calgary compete at high levels. Here are 5 players that I thought stood out. 2026 6'4 Bebang Leke (One Prep) Bebang was impossible to miss if you were in the gym this weekend, as he threw down dunks that had everyone on their feet. He is super athletic and gets to the rim with ease, using his strong physical frame to his advantage, creating contact and lanes that the defense just can't seem to take away. On the occasions that the defense does keep the ball out of his hands, he attacks rebounds and creates other advantages for his team. 2026 6'10 Brayden Savage (CTA West) Brayden has the build and athleticism to play at a very high level next year. Throughout the two games he played over the weekend, I saw a smart big who is aware of his skills and how to find his spots to be successful. He uses his large frame to create room for himself and makes good decisions with the ball in the paint, whether catching and finishing with finesse or rising to dunk the ball emphatically. He showed good mobility on defense, both protecting the rim and moving his feet when he found himself guarding the perimeter. 2026 6'10 Spencer Tatlock (CTA West) Spencer is another one of the bigs on CTA that shows incredible upside and will be drawing a lot of college attention from both sides of the border all season. I was really impressed with his low block footwork on offense as he displayed various moves and finishes when he caught the ball with a defender behind him. Add to this his relentless pursuit of rebounds, no matter where they were on the court, and he is proving to be a standout prospect. 2027 6'6 Mayen Atem (Supreme) Mayen will be a player that we will have to follow closely this season as he plays out his grade 12 season at All-Saints High School in Calgary (If Alberta has a season amid the teachers' strike). He is a long and super smooth player who attacks the paint every opportunity that he gets, and he has a great instinct to make plays off his drives. I saw him pull up for jumpers, dunk with authority, and hit open shooters regularly throughout his 3 games. When they packed the paint and took away his drives, he pulled up from distance with a very smooth shot. 2026 6'1 Cyrus Goulder (Athletic Edge Academy) Cyrus impressed me with his quickness, especially on the defensive end. He anticipates passes and forces the offense to move the ball away from him in transition. He also attacked the defensive boards, eliminating the need for an outlet pass and getting his team out on the break efficiently. He also showed a well-rounded offensive game, scoring throughout his team's games all weekend. This was a fantastic start to the 2025/26 Dime Sessions. I can wait to get a look at the WCPA teams, Elie Futures Elite, and PSA Prep during the 3rd session in Edmonton, November 1 and 2nd. There is A LOT of talent for coaches to check out, and these 5 were just the start. I highlighted 13 players on Twitter (@david_harmon) this session and will no doubt talk about them, as well as others I took notes on over the coming months.

With so many people enjoying my ACAC preview last season, I have decided to extend it west to highlight the PacWest Conference. It is a much smaller conference with only 7 teams representing all of BC. They have traditionally done very well at nationals and have some amazing programs. This year, they will be sending 2 teams to Nationals, as Vancouver Island University will be hosting, and that means the league champion and the hosts will be playing. Each team plays 24 games, 4 against each of the other 6 squads. I’m grateful to the league’s coaches who shared their team outlooks for this season. I ranked the teams based on returning players, transfers, recruits, preseason games, and my own assessments.   Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners The 2024/25 season did not end up the way Coach Matt Kuzminski wanted his first season to go, as the team finished 1st in the regular season but came up short in the PacWest gold medal game and didn't get a chance to compete at nationals. This season will be different as they are guaranteed a spot as the hosts, but would much prefer to go as the PasWest champions instead. They lose a couple of starters but with a solid returning core of Kai Leighton (5th; Prince Rupert, BC), Ryan Bastian (4th; Ladysmith, BC), Kye Tinga (3rd; Comox, BC), and Marcus Modrovic (4th; Victoria, BC). They will be adding some transfers in Ekman Sohal (3rd; Surrey, BC), Winston Cole (4th; Seattle, WA), and Levi Van Egdom (4th; Chilliwack, BC), along with freshman Ty Cyr (1st; Port Alberni, BC). This team has only one freshman on the roster and is undoubtedly built to compete for a national championship. They will play in front of some of the best basketball fans in the country, as the culture that has been created on Vancouver Island is very underrated. 2. Camosun Chargers The Chargers will be entering this season with a new Coach, former assistant and PacWest All-star Jake Wilmott will be replacing Geoff Pippus, who is now the head coach at the University of Alberta. They will be returning a lot of the roster that led them to a bronze medal last season. David Finch (4th; Vancouver, BC) was an all-Canadian last season and is joined by a returning lineup including Cole Belton(5th; Victoria, BC), Cormick Brown (5th; Victoria, BC), Aiden Walsh (4th; Courtney, BC), and more. With David Featherston (5th; Sierra Vista, AZ) coming from Capilano and Owen Jones (4th; Victoria, BC) from Langara joining the squad, along with highly recruited freshman Diem Orser (1st; Victoria, BC), this team will be contenders to play at nationals, which will be just an hour drive from their campus. 3. Capilano Blues Last season ended with Capilano struggling out at CCAA nationals after winning the PacWest Gold medal, upsetting both VIU and Camosun during their spectacular championship run. They will enter this season with a new head coach as TJ Klim will take over for Jason Price. The Blues will see a solid group returning, led by first-team all-star Kash Lang (5th, Lewiston, ID), along with Zach Klim (4th; Chilliwack, BC), Justin Pamintuan (2nd; New Westminster, BC), and Carter Andrade (2nd; North Vancouver, BC). VIU transfer Peter Li (5th; Qingdao, China) brings experience and competitiveness, as will Alfonso Reyes (1st, Madrid, Spain). This is a big team, and a returning Zach Hamed (1st; Port Moody, BC), who had taken time away last year, will make them a very hard team to match up with. This team will push very hard for a berth to nationals, and as they proved last year, all they need to do is be ready come playoffs. 4. Langara Falcons Langara will be ready to play as they return second-team all-star Luka Subotic (2nd; Vancouver, BC), Pat Robinson (4th; Baker City, OR), Edriel Asirit (4th; Surrey, BC), and Nixon Owusu (2nd; Vancouver, BC). They will be joined by Grande Prairie transfer Aaron Ungprasert and a strong group of freshmen, including Hartej Aujla (1st; Surrey, BC), Justin Best (1st; Pitt Meadows, BC), and Brahm Nair (1st; Vancouver, BC). Coach Cassidy Kannemeyer has built a team with good size that will be pushing very hard to earn a berth to nationals. 5. Douglas Royals Coach Matt McKay is slowly building his program and will field a younger team that has a lot of potential. Hunter Thomson (5th; Victoria, BC) will lead a group of returning players that includes Kaniyen Duncan (2nd; Calgary, AB), Jesse Connolly (2nd; Surrey, BC), Griffin White (2md; Maple Ridge, BC), Efe Ilici (3rd; Ayazagah, Turkey), and Lorenzo Bonamin (3rd; Burnaby, BC). Expect the newcomers to also make an impact as they add transfer Derrick Monroe ( 3rd; Las Vegas, NV) from Feather River College and freshmen Olan Smith (1st; Burnaby, BC) and Demi Akinmoyero (1st; Saskatoon, SK). While I have them in the 5th spot, I think 3-5 will be a dogfight, which will make the opening playoff rounds super exciting. 6. Okanagan Coyotes Last Season, the Coyotes finished last and missed the playoffs. The lost former PacWest All-Star Manny Binden, who transferred to USport, but Coach Gini has brought in a good recruiting class that will hopefully get them to the playoffs this season. They will count of transfers Noah Steingart (3rd; Carstairs, AB) from St Mary's and Ryan Dekleva (3rd; Kelowna, BC) from SAIT to provide scoring along with freshmen Inder Deol (1st; Vancouver, BC) and Timi Orifa (1st; Calgary, AB). 7. Columbia Bible College Bearcats I could not find much information on the Bearcats other than some games they played in Calgary this preseason, where they struggled. They have signed some solid freshmen and will be a work in progress this year.

I’m really looking forward to the start of the 2025/26 ACAC season, especially with the departure of many big-name players who have dominated the league for years. Last year, I not only followed the action closely but also had the chance to do online streaming color commentary at the ACAC championships in Caronport, SK. The league’s coaches have worked hard this offseason to bring the national championship back to the ACAC. After winning two CCAA national championships—SAIT in 2022/23 and Keyano in 2023/24—both Keyano and Briercrest struggled at the 2024/25 championships. This year, teams will battle for two spots at the 2026 National Championships, hosted by Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo, BC. I’m grateful to the league’s coaches who shared their team outlooks for this season. I ranked the teams based on returning players, transfers, recruits, preseason games, and my own assessments. It wasn’t easy. The North Division plays 20 games, and the South Division plays 21, with each team facing opponents from the opposite division once and playing within their division twice. The playoffs will feature the top four teams from both divisions, with the first-place team in the North hosting at the end of January. The competition will be fierce, and just one unexpected loss could cause teams to drop in the standings and potentially miss the playoffs. South Division Outlook SAIT Trojans Coach Matt Daley is gearing up for another shot at a national championship banner, building on his success this summer with the Alberta U17 boys squad. While the departures of Will Tong and Jadon Matthews leave significant gaps, a healthy Marcus Masters (5th year; Kitchener, ON) returns for his final season to provide leadership and skill. As noted in last year's preview, SAIT has a proven track record of attracting strong transfers, and this year is no different. They’ll count on the talents of Marc Gabriel (5th; Montreal, QC) from CEGEP Thetford, Cameron Carter (3rd; Baltimore, MD) from CBC, and D'On Duncan (4th; Calgary, AB) from Ontario Tech to complete their roster and push SAIT back to the top. I’m confident SAIT will dominate the South and proudly represent the ACAC in Nanaimo. Having seen this team practice, they are extremely deep with long, rangy athletes that will defend multiple positions and get out on the break. 2. St Mary's Lightning The 2025/26 season will mark a fresh chapter for the Lightning, as they move forward without long-time stars and ACAC's greatest scoring duo, Brock Dewsberry and Caleb Jibb. Replacing them is no small feat, but Coach Nathan Ruff is confident his team has what it takes to stay competitive. With returning starters Pelumi Ajayi (5th; Calgary, AB), Riley Folensbee (5th; Moose Jaw, SK), and CJ Peters (2nd; Calgary, AB), the team aims to strengthen its defensive game. The addition of transfer Ben Gilbert (4th; Calgary, AB) from MRU, along with freshmen Kamari Breary (1st; Langley, BC), Brendan Nightengale (1st; White Rock, BC), and Cache Perrett (1st; Okotoks, AB), should provide depth. This team looked good in the scrimmage I saw them play, but they have been up and down throughout exhibition games. They will need to gel and find roles, especially how they will score early, to prevent the teams from looking to creep up and grab a better seeding. 3. Lethbridge Kodiaks This was by far the hardest team in the South for me to project, as Coach Heggie always finds himself a squad down in southern Alberta. Last season, he was super young but still made the playoffs and gave Keyano a tough first-round game. He will return ACAC all-star Coleston Lake (5th; Eagle, MT) and the breakout player from the playoff tournament, Levi Balderson (2nd; Welling, AB). This will be the top backcourt in the league this year. He also returns Treydon Barton (4th; Raymond, AB), Rhett Lewis (3rd; Cardston, AB), and Jackson Wright (3rd; Claresholm, AB), along with once again recruiting Southern Alberta to keep bringing in kids that play the exact style Coach loves. This team could finish top 2 with their spectacular backcourt or slide out of the playoffs with their youth. What we do know is they will play hard and compete every night, and if they do finish in 3rd, as I predict, no one will want to be 2nd in the North and have them as their first round match-up. 4. Medicine Hat Rattlers Last season saw the Rattlers fall just short of the playoffs despite another all-star performance from Cooper Ward, and now they move forward without him. They will bring back a strong core of Jordan Bigger (5th; Toowoomba, AUS), Colby Anderson (3rd; Camrose, AB), David Hamilton (4th; Regina, SK) and Trey Watson (2nd; Medicine Hat, AB), who are joined by a returning Keiran Isnor (3rd; Calgary, AB) , who led the team in scoring in 2023/24 season before a foot injury saw him miss last season. Coach Humphrey's has landed solid transfers in Wol Wol (2nd; Edmonton, AB)from SAIT and Josh Dirks (1st; Strathmore, AB) from Cape Breton. Along with freshmen Oyama Crouch (1st; Nainamo, BC) and Lincoln Kolinski (1st; Camrose, AB), they will be poised to grab that elusive playoff spot this season. 5. Briercrest Clippers Last year was a dream for Briercrest as they won their first-ever ACAC Championship in front of their home fans, but this year will be a test. Their championship was built on the development of players long term, and the losses of 4 players' graduation (Jude Shepperd-Hillis, Francis Dogani, Riley Seaborn, and Zach Martens), along with all-star Oroma Bongomin moving on to USport, will really show us what coach Shane Sowden has built. I expect breakout seasons from returning players Carter Waind (5th; Kirkland, QC), Owen Shepperd-Hillis (3rd; Saskatoon, SK), and Markus Glasspell (2nd; Regina, SK). Along with transfers Gabe Vig (2nd; Abbotsford, BC) from TWU and Cole Koop (2nd; Kelowna, BC) from UBCO, and talented freshmen Daniel Kaak (1st; Abbotsford, BC) and Chase Seaborn (1st; Moose Jaw, SK), I think they will come up just short of playoffs, but maybe their young guns learned just enough last year to get them back. 6. Ambrose Lions Coming off a tough 2-19 season that saw the Lions finish last in the South, their young roster got a lot of playing time, and Coach Nystrom is hoping the return of Jarom Watson (2nd; Calgary, AB), Paulo Cuestta (2nd; Cochrane, AB), James Censon (2nd; Calgary, AB) and Dylan Pearson (2nd; Calgary, AB) to step up and help Jackson Earle (5th; Sarnia, ON) and Ty Schenk (3rd; Lumsden, SK) provide a calmer more experienced team. The additions of transfer Payton Green (2nd; Calgary, AB) from Red Deer will be welcome, as well as contributions from freshmen Jack Corrigan (1st; Calgary, AB) and Jeremy Proctor (1st; Saskatoon, SK). I think we will see growth and more than 2 wins for this squad. 7. Red Deer Kings After a 2024/25 season that saw them finish 7-14 for 7th in the south, it looked like Coach Foster may be turning the corner and getting the Red Deer program back to the heights they had achieved in the not-too-distant past. However, his roster looks to have been rebooted again this season, with only 2 players returning: Lado Lado (3rd; Edmonton, AB) and Felix Webb (2nd; Edmonton, AB). They are joined by transfers Tong Akol (2nd; Edmonton, AB) from Olds and Noah Simon (2nd; Calgary, AB) from Okanagan College, but he will be dependent on freshmen to step up. They have a lot of talented freshmen in William Tchekchine (1st; Toronto, ON), Corban Andres (1st; Regina, SK), Marvellous Adpoju (1st; Calgary, AB), and Isiah Capicio (1st; Red Deer, AB). How the bottom of the South will shake out will be fun to watch after the Christmas break, as all these teams have a lot of growth potential. 8. Olds Broncos Olds took a huge step forward in 2024/2,5, winning 8 games, but that came at a cost as Head Coach David Kapinga was able to land the MacEwan men's job, cutting off some of their momentum. John Reece was on the coaching staff last year and will lead the team forward, but has 12 incoming freshmen and only 2 returning players, Kevin Mvemba (2nd; Calgary, AB) and Ethan Horb (3rd; Cochran, AB). They have some talented freshmen in Nick McKoy (1st; Ajax, ON), Will Jacques (1st; Cochrane, AB), and Ryan Zemp (1st; Cardston, AB), but experience usually is a big factor, and this team will gain a lot this season. North Division Outlook 1. NAIT Ooks Coach McNeilly had a great first year, and his team impressed at the ACAC championships. Now that he has had a full summer to recruit and prepare, I fully expect his team to be in the hunt for a return to the national stage for the Ooks. They will return a very solid group from last year's squad in Patrick Fisher (4th; Wainwright, AB), Peter Kugba-Nyande (3rd; Edmonton, AB), Kohl Wedman (3rd; Edmonton, AB), Donovan Caldwell (2nd; Sherwood Park, AB), and Antonio Benjamin (5th; Dallas, TX), and add transfer Nathan Saldo (2nd; Edmonton, AB) from Brandon. Last season, Coach made a seamless transition from his playing career to coaching, and I expect him to build upon that in year 2. He has a solid core that plays the way he likes and is ready to step back into the championship picture. Not only do I think NAIT will host the ACAC championships, but I expect them to pick up North Coach of the Year as well. 2. Keyano Huskies Last year, they came up short defending their national title, but still qualified for nationals. That will be the expectation this year, despite Head Coach Jeremy Wielenga stepping down to assume full-time responsibilities as Athletics Director. In his place, they were able to hire Anthony Skepple, who has built the Brieircrest women's program into a perennial playoff team that secured its first ACAC medal, making three straight bronze medal games. The return of ACAC North player of the year Keenan Miller (5th; Columbia, MO) and starter DJ Haynes (4th; Naples, FL) will lead Anthony. These key returns will provide them with the experience they can rely on. Add to them the transfer of Red Deer's leading scorer, DeAndre Rowe (3rd; Ottawa, ON), Sam Nkassa (2nd; Spring, TX) from the University of Regina, and Joyce Dumbu (1st, Ottawa, ON) from CEGEP Heritage. From what I have seen, this team has the potential to be very good, but it will have to keep growing as a team and moving the ball. I am also a very big fan of incoming freshman Wan Deng (1st; Calgary, AB), who will be a big piece for them come the playoffs once he has some experience against competition. I do think the losses of Omeechi Williams and others will be a lot to overcome and will drop them to second place going into the playoffs. However, I do not think the roster they play with first semester will not be the same second semester, and with the right additions, they could very well be hosting ACAC Championships. 3. Lakeland Rustlers This is a very hard team to gauge in the pre-season, as they have lost some big scorers in Alaysa Bray, Chance Samuel, Riley Rathwell, and Naythyn Whitedeer. They will lean on Bahaeddin Salma (5th; Saskatoon, SK), David Dimaao (5th; Lloydminster, AB), and Matthew Bryant (4th; Saskatoon, SK) for leadership. They have some solid transfers in Jordon Horobetz-Simpson (4th; Winnipeg, MB) from Carleton, Taleh Wade (4th; North Little Rock, AR) of Algoma, and Seth Johnson (3rd; Toronto, ON) from Lakehead. Expect Coach Sheray Thomas' team to be tough defenders who pick up full court as always. I'm not sure he has enough to crack the top 2 and will be in a fight to fend off teams looking to move up the standings 4. Concordia Thunder For the second straight season, Concordia will see a coaching change as ACAC legend Robbie Valpreda has stepped away, and Daniela Stabile will step in to take the reins. This will be a first for the ACAC with a female coach in a men's program, but it has happened in the CCAA with some very good results. The loss of Yaadvir Dhaliwal and O'Ryan Wallace will be a lot to overcome early, but they return a solid core with Evan Li (3rd; Edmonton, AB), Devon Weleschuk (2nd; Sherwood Park, AB), Roka Baker (4th; St Albert, AB), and Noah Julien (5th; Toronto, ON). Add Keella Gatwech (3rd; Fort McMurray, AB) and Abdishakur Jama (2nd; Surrey, BC), transferring from Keyano. Coach also used her deep Edmonton connections to sign freshmen Koen DeKlerk (1st; Rolly Viwe, AB), Tyron Okekel (1st; Edmonton, AB), Izaec Oppa (1st; Surrey, BC), Thiec Ruat (1st; Brooks, AB), and Karanveer Singh (1st; Edmonton, AB) to give her a lot of solid depth. This team will be interesting to watch and see if they can challenge Lakeland to move up or struggle and allow some teams to grab the last playoff spot from them. 5. The King's Eagles Coach Jay Ouellette has been building this program for several years and is hoping this is the year he cracks the playoffs. He returns most of his key players, including Brock Stupar (4th; Stony Plain, AB), Jonathan Barwegen (5th; Lethbridge, AB), and David Loki (2nd; Smithers, BC), all of whom are back. Logan Den Oudsten is their only major loss. They also add transfers Keyon Wisdom (4th; Brampton, ON) from Fleming College and Carson Irwin (2nd; Beaver County, AB) from Breircrest. They have shown significant growth this preseason, and I'm sure will be a team that desperately wants to be in the playoffs, making them a very tough team. 6. Northwest Wolves Coach Evan Lloyd went to work this summer and hopes to climb out of the basement of the ACAC North and find a way into the playoffs. He has lost his top 2 scorers from 2024/25 but brought back a solid core, including Mirza Torodovac (3rd; Banja Luka), Kaden Gavengard (3rd; Grande Prairie, AB), and Liam McCaffery (2nd; Grande Prairie, AB). He is a solid transfer from Holland College in Romaire Johnson (4th; Dartmouth, NS) and a very solid recruiting class of Martynas Petrauskas (1st; Kaunas), Sam Rosse (1st; Kitchener, ON), Trevon Arogie (1st; Surrey, BC), and Caleb Tengera (1st; Edmonton, AB). They will need to grab some wins in the first semester against the South teams as they find their footing. If they can do this, we will be in for a great showdown in the second semester as that last playoff spot in the North is up for grabs. 7. Augustana Vikings Coach Etienne Jacquet will look to continue building on the roster he established in his first year. He will return Jonathan Gomes (4th; Edmonton, AB), Brett Marlow (5th; The Pas, MB), and Cooper Nelson (5th; Strathmore, AB). The loss of Jack Smilski is tough, but they have a strong group of recruits in Jayden Rushma (1st; Edmonton, AB), Dru Swain (1st; Whitecap FN, SK), and Archer Jenkins (1st; Red Deer, AB) that should see the team continue to improve. I can not wait for this season. The one thing that became apparent as I watched preseason games and compiled information from coaches is that this is a season where we will see some movement. A lot of players have left the league, both graduating and transferring, there is a lot of parity, and I could be very wrong with every one of these placings and I love it. I also think when we get to the second semester, some of these teams I have predicted at the bottom with younger rosters and newer coaches will gain experience and confidence, which in turn will lead to 'upsets' that will have dramatic effects on playoff seeding. This is truly one of the great leagues in Canada, one that has led to players moving on to USports, NCAA, and even pro careers (there are 3 ACAC grads on one team in Europe as I write this).

The Edge International Invitational (Calgary, AB) lived up to the expectations this past weekend, with a lot of talent on display. The tournament featured a showcase division featuring Edge Prep (Calgary, AB) and WCPA (Edmonton, AB), 2 of the most competitive prep programs not only in Western Canada but the whole country, along with Jelly Fam and the Diamond Doves from the Overtime Elite League. For those not familiar, the OTE features some of the best 16-20 year old prospects in the world and has produced numerous NBA players. So with all this talent, who stood out? 2027 6'1 Zach Hawley (Edge Prep) For the past three years, I have watched Zach continue to grow and dominate the competition in Saskatchewan every time he steps on the floor. To say that I was excited to attend his first game with Edge Prep and see him compete on a bigger stage is an understatement. Zach blew away my incredibly high expectations of him. He came off the bench and competed right away against both OTE squads. He settled in as a point guard and made a real effort on defense. He seemed to thrive around the amount of talent that Edge has, and finding his role, in the second half of his game against the Diamond Doves, he realized that he had more room than he was used to, and he let everyone know that he still is THAT shooter, and off he went. 6- 3's in the first game. Then 10 more 3's in game 2 had the home gym rocking. 2026 6'6 TJ Wal (WCPA) TJ Wal is one of the most talented 2026s with a skill set that is elite. His ability to use his long 6'6 frame and incredible feel to get the looks that he wanted is uncanny. TJ scored easily at all 3 levels, including several deep 3's. One of the things I took away from watching TJ is the physicality with which he plays defense. He uses his length to really lean on smaller guards and create turnovers either for his own steals or forcing bad passes that his teammates can capitalize on. 2026 6'8 Jordan Green (Diamond Doves - OTE) Jordan is currently holding over 20 Division 1 offers, and I can see why colleges are banging down his door. He is a smooth athlete who competes extremely hard. What stood out to me was his relentless effort on the offensive boards. Every time I saw a shot go up, I was impressed with how often I saw Jordan flying in from any spot on the floor to contest the rebound. Combining his motor with a deft long range touch, and powerful finishes at the rim, there is no doubt coaches will keep making offers 2028 6'6 Kevin Wheatly Jr (Jelly Fam - OTE) Kevin is a 5-star player in the Class of 2025 and is ranked in almost every national top 25 published. Watching him play, he is everything that I expected and more. He has a smooth game that has him score from all 3 levels, including some thunderous dunks that were impressive. His motor on defense is elite, and I can't wait to follow him as he should be a high-major college player and an NBA draft pick 2026 6'8 Patrick Anamali (Edge Prep) This was my first time seeing Patrick in person, and he lived up to everything I heard. He is a long athlete who has very fluid movements. He showed a great feel for the game and did a lot of different things for this Edge squad. In the first game, in front of a packed house, he had maybe one of the most incredible stretches of the weekend, with his team down he threw down an incredible dunk in traffic, turned around pressured the ball forcing a bad pass, then off his teammates steal he took a touch pass for an and-one dunk that almost took the roof off the gym. That sequence captured his game perfectly as he did it all. 2026 6'6 Kian Tyson (Edge Prep) Another Sask kid that I have covered for 3 years and got to see move up to prep this weekend. Kian was able to show off his full skill set as he moved to his natural small forward position on both offense and defense. He was able to find room to get off his 3 and mid-range jumpers that are a staple of his game. What really stood out was the adjustments he made on the defense end over the course of the weekend. Having been an interior defender in high school, Kian was able to guard the perimeter efficiently all weekend while also getting to the boards and blocking numerous shots. He will impact games for Edge Prep all year, and I'm sure a ton of offers will be coming soon. 2026 6'4 Rohan Dhanoa (WCPA) Rohan joins WPCA after a standout high school career in BC and caught my eye immediately. He is a knockdown shooter who punished defenses for helping off of him, which happened often on this loaded roster. I was also very impressed with his defensive effort. He moved his feet well and made some very good players give the ball up for other options. 2027 6'5 Jacob Williford (Diamond Doves -OTE) Jacob was knocking down shots for his team all weekend. Coming into this tournament, he was touted as a highly recruited wing prospect, and that is exactly what I saw; he made tough pull-up jumpers and knocked down open 3-pointers. He has multiple offers and will be a player to watch. 2027 6'0 Yandel German (Jelly Fam - OTE) This New York point guard was making shots all weekend at an incredible pace. He showed great touch in the paint and continually got to his spots. He will be a point guard that college coaches will love with his high-energy defense and shot selection. 2027 6'0 Zayne Hinkson (WCPA) Zayne has been on the prep scene for a while and continues to grow his game. This weekend, he was at his best running the high-powered WPCA offense like a maestro. He controlled the tempo and found favorable match-ups for his squad. Not only is he a pass-first point guard, but he has an array of shots that will keep defenses honest. It was an incredible weekend of basketball in Calgary, and Edge Prep director Eddie Richardson did a fantastic job hosting. Along with the showcase games, they hosted several club/prep teams in both a high school and U15 division to supplement the schedule. I featured some of the standout players in those games on my Twitter/X account (@david_harmon) during the weekend, so please check those out.

TJ Wal • WCPA via Edge School Instagram The Western Canada Prep Academy Showcase has become a fixture on my scouting calendar. This will be my third year attending, and every time it delivers a mix of high-level competition, breakout performances, and a first look at the talent that will shape the next wave of Canadian basketball. WCPA has built this event into a stage where both proven names and hidden gems can shine, making it one of the most valuable early-season scouting stops in the country. This year’s field features a combination of familiar faces I’ve tracked over the years and fresh prospects who are ready to show they belong on the radar. The schedule is loaded, and the matchups promise to give a real glimpse into where the talent out west is trending. With teams from Alberta, Ontario & the U.S. as well as prospects from South Sudan, United Kingdom, U.S. and Canadian. As always, I’ve picked out one player from each team who I’ll be locked in on this weekend: TJ Wal | 6’6 | WCPA | 2026 TJ has quickly become one of the most complete players in the country, and the hype isn’t slowing down. Fresh off a 53-point outburst at the Edge School event in Calgary, he’s proven that he can dominate in multiple ways. His All-Canadian nod last year was just the start—schools already recognize his upside, and the list of programs showing interest keeps growing. What makes him special is how comfortable he is doing everything on the floor, from creating shots to defending multiple positions. He’s the type of player who can control the pace of a game without forcing it. I’m looking forward to seeing how he sets the tone as one of the showcase’s headliners. Vlad Popa | 6’8 | Terror Prep | 2026 The younger brother of David Popa, Vlad brings a smooth handle and an advanced offensive bag for his size. What jumps out right away is his ability to make tough shots, whether it’s pulling up or finishing through contact. He’s athletic enough to play above the rim, and defenses have to stay alert for his lob-catching ability. While his brother carved out a reputation as a reliable scorer, Vlad looks like he’s carving his own lane with a versatile inside-out skill set. He’s still got plenty of room to grow, but the foundation is there for a very intriguing prospect. This showcase should be a great test for him. Ayden Thomas-Sybbliss | 6’0 | Full Circle | 2026 Ayden brings a gritty, two-way presence to the floor that every team needs. He’s crafty with the ball in his hands, but what really stands out is how active he is defensively—he seems to pop up in every passing lane. Add in his willingness to rebound and dive on the floor, and you’ve got a guard who thrives in the hustle plays that can swing momentum. Offensively, he’s more than capable of breaking down his man and either finishing or setting up teammates. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and it shows. I’m curious to see how his toughness translates against some of the showcase’s bigger backcourts. Coco Britt | 5’10 | Elite Futures Prep | 2026 Out of Los Angeles, Coco brings both pedigree and poise to this event. He’s a true point guard in every sense, capable of running an offense and setting the table for his teammates with precision. His sturdy frame allows him to hold his ground, and his fearless mentality means he never backs down from a challenge—no matter who’s across from him. Add in a 3.9 GPA, and you’re looking at a player who has the mental discipline to match his on-court skill. He’s got a style that makes teammates better, which is always valuable in a showcase setting. I think he’s going to turn some heads out west. Jahmar Smith | 6’11 | WCPA Regional | 2026 Standing just a hair under seven feet, Jahmar is impossible to miss on the court. Hailing from London, UK, he’s still learning to fully coordinate his size and athleticism, but the raw tools are there in a big way. On film, he runs the floor like a forward and punishes the rim whenever he’s in striking distance. Right now, the biggest step for him is developing consistency with his hands and catching in traffic. Once that comes, his ceiling rises dramatically. There’s a lot of anticipation around seeing how far along he is in person at this event. Noah Martin | 6’5 | WCPA RED | 2028 For a player who still has three full years of high school basketball ahead of him, Noah already looks like he belongs. His 6’5 frame and athleticism allow him to play above the rim, but what makes him stand out is his touch and polish around the basket. He can finish with either hand and doesn’t rely solely on power—he’s got finesse to his game as well. Physically, he’s strong enough to hold his own against older competition, and that experience will only speed up his development. Every time I watch him, he seems to add another wrinkle to his game. He’s one of the younger guys I’ll be keeping close tabs on during the showcase. Wani John | 6’9 | PSA Prep | 2029 Few players in this event carry as much long-term intrigue as Wani. At 6’9 with guard-like flashes, he already projects as a modern stretch four who can handle and face up. His length and mobility make him a mismatch waiting to happen, and the foundation is there for a dynamic offensive player down the road. Right now, he’s still figuring out how to put it all together consistently, but the trajectory is really exciting. Watching his growth over the next couple of years will be fascinating, because he has the raw tools you can’t teach. He’s one of those prospects who could end up being a huge story in future editions of this event. Titus Kennedy | 6’5 | Edge Varsity | 2027 Titus is the kind of player every coach loves to have—hard working, versatile, and willing to do the little things that win games. Defensively, he sets the tone with his effort and physicality, making him a reliable anchor on that end. Offensively, he’s shown the ability to finish inside while also stretching the floor when needed, which keeps defenses honest. His motor and toughness jump out right away, and he rarely takes a possession off. With his frame and approach, he projects as a steady two-way contributor who can impact the game without needing to dominate the ball. I’m looking forward to seeing how he handles the spotlight in this showcase setting. Omari Wilford | 6’5 | PSA Prep | 2026 Omari is one of the more fluent scorers in this event, and he makes it look effortless at times. Out of British Columbia, he’s proven he can finish through and around traffic with composure, showing a knack for adjusting mid-air to get buckets. What makes him even tougher to guard is his ability to step out and knock down threes, forcing defenders to pick their poison. When he decides to attack downhill, he’s athletic enough to rise up and finish above the rim. His scoring versatility gives PSA a real weapon on offense . I’m eager to see how he asserts himself against top competition this weekend. Final Thoughts The Western Canada Prep Academy Showcase never fails to deliver a great look at where the game is heading in this part of the country. Between established names like TJ Wal and high-upside prospects like Wani John, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow. Events like this give me a chance to see who’s ready to take the next step, who’s expanding their game, and who’s going to be on everyone’s radar moving forward. I’ll be back with a full recap after the dust settles, but one thing’s for sure—this year’s showcase has all the makings of another memorable weekend on the scouting trail.