BioSteel All-Canadian Team White Primer
BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game is set to tip off Tuesday at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre.
The roster for the BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game features the Top 24 high school basketball players from across the country.
Head Coach Paul Melnyk
Known as the face of Toronto power house high school Father Henry Carr. In his tenure with the Crusaders Melnyk has coached Tyler Ennis, the Bhullar brothers and Dillon Brooks among others. Hardware wise even more impressive; in the last 12 years, the Father Henry Carr Senior Boys Basketball team has won 7 Ontario ‘AAAA’ medals: 2 Copper, 2 Bronze & 3 Silvers.
Celebrity Head Coach Bill Wennington
A three-time NBA champion and Chicago Bulls colour commentator. As center, he represented Canada in the 1984 Olympics and in the 1983 World University Games, where Canada won Bronze. He was also on the Canadian team that narrowly missed qualification for the 1992 Olympics.
Team White
Ottawa, ON’s Corey Johnson | 2015 6’5″ SG | Committed to Harvard via Vermont Academy, MA
Summer of 2014 played for U18 Canada which won silver in the FIBA America’s tournament in July. Also was selected to represent Canada at both Adidas Nations and the Nike Global Challenge in August. Won three point shoot out Monday behind his pure shooting stroke and also offers high basketball I.Q.
Victoria, BC’s Matthew Neufeld | 2015 6’11” C | Committed to St. Louis via Sunrise Christian, MO
Definitely needs to bulk up more for life in the paint in college but has the 15-footer down to a tee. Neufeld is very long and has very good hands. He runs the floor very well for his size and many people on the west coast are rooting for their poster boy big man to make a run at the game high for rebounds.
Ottawa, ON’s Eddie Ekiyor | 2016 6’9″ F | New Hampton Prep, NH
Athletic with a high motor and good understanding of the game. Leading rebounder for Canada at the 2014 U17 World Championships (7.3) and 2013 U16 FIBA Americas (8.6). He generally plays within himself on the offensive end but is very good finisher who gets off his feet quickly, can play above the rim in traffic, and converts at a high rate inside the paint.
Edmonton, AB’s Awok Piom | 2016 6’6″ F | Post Grad TBD
Best player out of Alberta. Defensive capabilities can be his strong suit with his skill and more will. Good athletic ability and solid jump shooter. He has all the tools to compete at the next level. Tuesdays game provides him a national stage to showcase his overall game and shake off the unknow label amongst his peers.
Kitchener On’s Jamal Murray | 2016 6’5″ G | Orangeville Prep, ON
Connor McDavid on the hardwood. Murray is a shot-maker and scorer who is good with the ball, a valuable secondary ball-handler, and possibly even capable of evolving in to a big lead point guard in the years to come. He led Canada in scoring and assists at the 2014 U17 FIBA World Championships with 16.4 points per game and 2.9 dimes.
Burnaby, BC’s Jermaine Haley | 2016 6’7″ G | Burnaby South, BC
A lengthy point guard prospect Haley is very talented and if more aggressive and assertive at both ends he has potential to take his game to another level. Boasts a double digit offer list and is the current face of west coast ballers.
Sydney, AU’s Matur Maker | 2017 6’10” F | Orangeville Prep, ON
High major prospect with added strength and continued skill development but has come along way from one year ago. Is extra long and thin but a skilled forward that runs the floor well and arguably is the most emphatic finisher above the rim in the BioSteel player pool. Tremendous upside.
Montreal, QC’s Jerome Desrosiers | 2017 6’6″ F | Northfield Mt. Herman, MA
Member of the Canadian Cadet team the past two seasons and each time he shows up he is a step quicker. At his best when driving and using body to finish at the rim. A full fledged rim attacker Desroiers ahead of the 2014 U17 FIBA World Championships earned MVP in a tune up tourney that saw Canada go 4-0 disposing France (81-78), Puerto Rico (79-62), Australia (88-85), and Argentina (88-85).
Milton, ON’s Christian David | 2017 6’5″ G | Bishop Reding, ON
Is quick, slithery, has great range, and can light up a scoreboard, but is often criticized for the slightest bump derailing him. Overall a solid player who can be a great option for any team he plays for especially with his efficient shooting ability and under appreciated blocking ability at his size.
Brampton, ON’s Jahvon Blair | 2017 6’2″ PG | Orangeville Prep, ON
Old school combo guard with good scoring instincts and advanced passing ability. Has a natural feel for the game and is able to see plays well before they materialize, allowing him to deliver passes that seem impossible to make. Is entering the elite class of passing.
Burlington, ON’s Simisola Shittu | 2018 6’8″ F | Corpus Christi, ON
Shittu is a long and athletic wing who simply makes plays all over the court. The Canadian is a monster in transition with his size, length and skill level. Most players his size are straight post players. He is comfortable on the perimeter and has some natural 3 skills. He is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Woodbridge, ON’s Marcus Carr | 2018 6’2 CG | St. Michaels College
Built and moves like an NFL running back with heart and passion for the game put him on an elite level. Very physical, he’s able to use his great body strength to overpower guards on both ends of the floor. Another highy touted prospect playing in Canada that has been linked with prominent prep programs south of the border.