Athlete Institute HS have taken their talents to the Garden State. The Canadian based prep program out of Orangeville, Ontario, rebuilt last summer now boasts formidable HS & Post Grad teams. Both will participate in a competitive international schedule for 2013-14.

On the high school front AI hired 29 year old Larry Blunt. An associate coach with the CIA Bounce 16U Nike Elite Youth Basketball team. EYBL is a high level amatuer basketball circuit that is notorious for producing NBA lottery players.

Coach Blunt takes over the nations top Canadian prep team on paper but on the hardwood a target comes with the territory as evident in their pre season.

In a warm up tournament hosted by the Athlete Institute, AI high school finished 3-2. Fellow Canadian prep school Bill Crothers Colts convincingly defeated them in pool play 85-67 and the following morning they bowed out in the quarter finals to their Athlete Institute Post Grad team 67-45.

Blounts group features a strong contingent from his AAU powerhouse program CIA Bounce.

Star power starts with 2016 6’5 Kitchener native G Jamal Murray. He was named MVP of the Jordan Brand International Game this past April in Brooklyn.

Murray’s upside makes most feel that he may have the biggest upside of the players in the group.

“He reminds me a lot of former Knick Allan Houston. A terrific scorer, outstanding shooter with a sweet jumper. He has some clutch genes like Houston but prolly a better passer.” Hoops Hype Canada’s Recruiting Analyst Mark Bairos offered.

As for the latest on Murrays college recruiting, “Syracuse assistant Adrian Autry has done a lot with Murray” Coach Blunt told Adam Zagoria the head of a recruiting tabloid in America.

As a matter of fact both Murray and fellow team mate 2015 6’4 G/F Jalen Poyser both visited Syracuse for Midnight Madness in the middle of October.

Poyser who attended Toronto power house Father Henry Carr before a one and done experience at Findlay Prep returned to Canada this fall. A move that gave Athlete Institute instant credibility. Not often do Canadians return home from a south of the border experience, especially from a program with the pedigree of Findlay Prep. Poyser recently explained the switch to Sports Net Magazine,

“Findlay was a positive. It helped me as a player, but that’s in the past now. I don’t want to be moving around any more, I’m getting my grades, getting my minutes” Said Poyser.

Later adding how he would embrace the thought of becoming a pioneer in obtaining a scholarship while remaining in Canada.

“I want to show kids that you can stay here and get to D-1 & the pros. I’m here till I graduate” Poyser added.

In terms of Poyser’s playing style Bairos says “Classic 1996 Jalen Rose with the Pacers. Can be instrumental on a championship team because Poyser is so versatile that he can easily play the 1, 2 and 3. Crafty with court vision makes him a treat to watch as floor general too even though some feel he is most effective on the wing.”

Also returning from a highly touted prep program in America is Nova Scotia native Nevell Provo. 2015 6’0 PG arrived at Athlete Institute via Andrew Wiggins former prep school Huntington Prep. Provo a more then decent back up point guard with offers allready from Marshall and Iowa will start most games at point guard for AI and looks to increase his stock value with a increase in minutes compared to last season,

“Basically I sat down with my family and weighed my options… we decided this was the best move for me. Huntington is a great program with lots of exposure, competitiveness in practice, and all the perks of a high profile prep school. However, Orangeville was better for me because Im able to gain that in-game experience, and become a leader of a team; something I need to take my game to the next level” Provo told Hoops Hype Canada this past summer,.

As for his scouting report Bairos offered, “great handles and a jump shot that vastly improves every time I watch. Almost automatic from mid range. Orangeville is a perfect fit for for him to demonstrate playmaking skills on a full time basis.”

Surrounding the big three Murray, Poyser, & Provo most notably is 6’8″ Kyle Alexander whose sister [Kayla Alexander] played at Syracuse and plays in the WNBA now. Also unheralded is glue guy 2015 6’6″ F Jelani Mofford. Mofford is also a member with the big three on the 16U CIA Bounce EYBL team and is as fundamentally sound of a prospect as they come.

Mofford arrived at Athlete Institute from REDA Academy. Former REDA head coach Fred Grannum now head coach of the Mississauga Power explained why Mofford may be overlooked,

“Very quiet young man, doesn’t talk a lot and keeps to himself is probably why. He’s very deceptive in his game, meaning he doesn’t look like he can do it but when he steps on the court he has this hidden monster that comes out every once in a while. He had some 31,30 point games for me last year” Grannum shared. Including a game high in points for REDA as a fifteen year old when they knocked off the Chinese National Jr Team in Montreal last December. Later the following summer Mofford then drew rave reviews from his AAU performances in Atlantic City.

“Classic Bruce Bowen, Shane Battier guy. Blue collar, high IQ, does the little things every team needs and is capable of big. Jelani could maybe be more flamboyant but he’s still athletic, can dunk the ball and play above the rim. I don’t think America has seen that yet.” Coach Grannum concluded.

As for Moffords role with Athlete Institute analyst Mark Bairos says AI could utilize Moffords intangibles, especially up front.

“Their player pool at the 4 & 5 is thin, in my opinion Mofford possesses the most advanced skill set” Adding “if you run a good set for him, and you can give him the ball, he can do amazing things. Put him in a system and he can pay large dividends.” Bairos explained.

Athlete Institute will face St.Benedicts Prep tonight and then their post grad team Saturday. On the opposite bench for the Gray Bees tonight will be Toronto native 2015 6’4 G Kamar McKnight. McKnight a Colorado University target visited VCU last weekend with 2014 VCU commit Jonathan Williams. Williams is also his back court mate at St. Benedict’s.

“It was great, real crazy atmosphere. Coach Smart and Coach Rhodes reached out. They will be coming to a couple of games and are really close to offering…Went back to the locker room with the team it was just great.” Canadian south paw McKnight told Hoops Hype Canada.

When we reached out to the St.Benedicts coaching staff only assistant coach Art Pierson responded “Kamar is a welcome addition to our team. His work ethic, an leadership will show strong dividend for our season” asked to elaborate Coach Pierson only offered, “ I have no further comment regarding Kamar until we our in season – thanks for your request”

Meanwhile McKnight talked more about his transition from St.Patricks NJ last year to St.Benedicts NJ this past summer “It’s been great easy transition just coming in making plays” St.Benedicts is the same prep program New York Knick JR.Smith attended. Recently Smith attended a Gray Bees exhibition game and even offered advice to Kamar and his teammates,

“He just told us to continue to use our teammates and when it’s not our night scoring to keep our composure.”

For St.Benedicts Friday night marks the beggining of their 2013-14 campaign. For their lone Canadian to play against a Canadian program in his home opener it definately hits home.

“I get excited for every game I play in. Especially since it’s the season opener I’ve been waiting for this season since I was in my boot with the foot injury. I’m looking forward to tossing it up with Jalen Poyser because of our YAAACE & Brampton rivalry that goes all the way back to when we were 13. Last time I went up against anyone on that team was grade 8 so it should be fun”McKnight made known.

Following are the rosters for tonight’s tilt.

St. Benedict’s Prep Roster

1. Jon Williams 2014 5’11 185

2. Trevon Duval 2017 6’2 185

3. Michael Runcie 2016 6’3 180

4. Kamar McKnight 2015 6’4 195

5. Carl Brown 2015 6’4 180

6. Brandon Alston 2015 6’4 195

7. Shakaris Laney 2014 6’4 195

8. Elijah Cain 2015 6’5 185

9. Lyndon Ewing 2015 6’5 200

10. Nick Washington 2016 6’7 215

11. Gerald Blount 2016 6’7 210

12. Martynas Pacecieus 2016 6’8 205

13. Arnaldo Toro 2016 6’8 225

14. Domantas Pavlovskis 2015 6’10 215

15. Norbertas Giga 2014 6’10 245

AI High School Team

Name	Number	Height	Position	Hometown
Josiah Riley		6’3″	SG	Brampton, ON
Jelani Mofford		6’5″	F	Brampton, ON
Nevell Provo		5’11″	PG	North Preston, NS
Jalen Poyser		6’4″	G/F	Malton, ON
Alonzo Walker		6’6″	F	Brampton, ON
Jamal Murray		6’5″	F	Kitchener, ON
Dantai St. Louis		6’7″	F	Brampton, ON
Kyle Alexander		6’8″	F	Milton, ON
Connor LaRonde		6’2″	G	Barrie, ON
Justin Levesque		5’11″	PG	Orangeville, ON
Spencer Thomas		6’2″	G/F

To stay posted on the results follow @HoopsHypeCA

 

Let the 2013-14 season begin!