Now that most of the post-raptors playoffs hangover has subsided, it is time for us Northerners to focus our attention to the warmer weather and summer ball instead of alcohol and the plethora of expletives that have become second nature. So what is next for the Canadian basketball community?

1.       Toronto 2015 Pan American Games

So who will be gracing our TV screens and donning a Team Canada jersey this summer?

We already have confirmations from Orlando Magic’s Andrew Nicholson and Timberwolves Anthony Bennett that they will all be attending the mandatory invitation-only try-out for the Pan-Am squad.  Unfortunately no Sauce Castillo (Nik Stauskas) Dwight Powell or R.O.Y Andrew Wiggins. The try-out will be held July 12-17th at the ACC. 16 men have been invited, 12 will be selected to play. Dillon Brooks, Kyle Wiltjer, Sim Bhullar, Jamal Murray among the 16 men invited to the try-outs alongside Bennett and Nicholson. Roster confirmations will be announced July 18th and competition kicks off July 21st agains Dominican Republic.

The women’s Basketball kicks off on July 16th against Venezuela. The Canadian Women’s team is lead by Point Guard Kia Nurse of Hamilton, who helped her team the UCONN Huskies claim the women’s NCAA Division 1 Basketball Title this past March.

2.       OVOBounce Tournament- July 27-31st

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You didn’t go to any of the games last year? You missed the championship game? You don’t even know what the OVOBounce tournament is? Well, you definitely are missing out. The OVOBounce tournament is like a Canadian Drew League tournament. A FREE week-long grassroots basketball tournament that celebrates the past, present and future of Toronto basketball. Talent from all over come to the 6 to compete against one another and concludes on the opening night of Caribana. 8 teams of guys that play on various teams from Euro leagues, the NBA, National Basketball League and Various Division 1 institutions all come together and play some darn good and extremely entertaining basketball to say the least. Not giving out any secrets but some players who came out last year were: Amir Johnson, Brandon Jennings, Morgan Lewis, Tyler Ennis and Jordan Clarkson to name a few. In the stands? Drake, Trey Songz, Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, Sim Bhullar. Location is still to be confirmed.

3. Raptors 905

905-logoOn June 29th Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri announced that Toronto was getting a Development League team: Raptors 905. Keeping the and “identity on the Raptors brand” and “Paying homage to where the team is located in Mississauga” (raptors905.dleague.nba.com) Raptors 905 D-league team will be playing out of Mississauga’s Hershey’s centre from November to April and tickets range from $11-$90. This is huge for the Canadian basketball community. I sense a certain Brazilian KD will be on assignment quite a bit this season.

4. NBA All-Star 2016

If Valentine’s day is the most important thing happening for you in February then you are not a true basketball fan. The all-star game is coming home February 2016 and it’s going to be huge. Toronto will be flooded with basketball fanatics of all ages. What’s better than hosting the greatest sporting event in the world? Now having a Canadian on the team the same year that you’re hosting the greatest sporting event in the world. Welcome Home Cory Joseph. I had the pleasure of being in NYC for the all-star game and there are no words to describe the electricity and buzzing of the city. There will be so many different events going on in every corner of the city between Raptors 905, The Toronto Raptors, Mississauga Power, Brampton A’s and all of the grassroots programs in between, this city is so rich in basketball culture.The city will be flying, you will not want to miss out.