Program Profile: Toronto 3D
If you Google search Toronto 3D Basketball you come across this http://toronto3dball.com/ and right in front of you is the about section. There you will find a nicely written description that reads.
“Toronto 3D is a basketball program based out of Toronto, Canada. We provide a platform that allows elite players in the Toronto GTA area to continue to develop, compete, and gain exposure at the highest levels.”
Toronto 3D and similar programs represent another positive step in Canadian basketball progress. As great as professional scouting has become many players still fall through the cracks, and most diamonds are still in the rough. A program like Toronto 3D which plays a competitive professional schedule provides another platform of progression for players looking to further their playing careers.
Toronto 3D’s current roster is filled with talent from both CIS and NCAA programs. Players such as the legendary Shane Nicely, Greg Carter a 3-time CIS defensive player of the year, Former Belmont (NCAA D1) and Junior National Canadian forward Jon House, former Windsor centre Nigel Tyghter who also played in Spain, Tshing Kasamba who was Mr. Niagara basketball from Brock University. But it isn’t the names that make up the program, rather the heart of the Toronto 3D team rests in its core players that you would have to just come out and see play. Since its inception, the 3D program have already signed a player from Toronto, Tramar Sutherland to the Moncton Miracles of the National Basketball League of Canada. Toronto 3D was founded by current player Teddy Tochev who has professional playing experience in Bulgaria along with stints with several other professional teams.
Right about now some of you are thinking so what? What’s the big deal there just a team full of guys you’ve never heard about. To truly understand why Toronto 3D and programs with the same mission statement as 3D are so important to growth of Canada basketball you have to put yourself in the shoes of a player who for whatever reason failed to sign a professional contract after his post secondary playing career.
There are plenty reasons why players fail to sign professional contracts and the main reason being there not good enough, but that’s not always the case, the Canadian population is spread across the second biggest landmass in the world and the there just isn’t enough basketball media coverage and we haven’t reached the level where the platforms we have can effectively cover and or develop the talent we have. Toronto 3D’s popularity is directly linked to its ability to build, perform, and progress. It must prove its worth as a legitimate elite level platform and through the successes of its individual players its name will grow.
After wrapping up a short season with trips to the United States and recently hosting a team from Brooklyn, Toronto 3D’s next big and upcoming game is on March 21st against Fort Wayne Flite of the CBA. You can check www.Toronto3DBall.com for more details and don’t forget to help support a program and a positive movement in shaping the future of Canada Basketball.
Twitter: @Toronto3DBall
Instagram: #Toronto3DBall
Facebook: Toronto 3D Basketball