Saskatchewan born Trey Lyles (Arsenal Tech, IN) is highly projected to represent Canada on the World Team.
Gatineau, QC’s Kevin Zabo (Brewster Academy) and Markham, ON’s Chris Egi (Montverde Academy) are also potential Canadians in the mix to represent the maple leaf later this season in Portland.
Recently mother of the Canadian Kentucky basketball signee Lyles shared with the Central Kentucky News how she’s always been involved in Trey’s career,
The Nike Hoop Summit has a tradition of featuring the world’s upcoming basketball talent. This annual basketball game is played under international rules and features the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team, comprised of the top high school boy senior players, playing against a World Select Team, comprised of top players 19-years-old or younger from around the world.
The 2014 Hoop Summit will be played Saturday April 12th, at 4:30pm in Portland, Oregon at the Moda Center.
For a Complete List of all World Team Participants CLICK HERE
Canada is evolving into a Basketball nation before our eyes. First it was the Anthony Bennett sweepstakes when Bennett chose UNLV over Kentucky and Oregon. Next was wonder kid Andrew Wiggins who signed with Kansas over Kentucky and Florida State. Is it possible to top those two recruiting chases? Saskatoon born Trey Lyles has done just that.
Lyles at the 2013 FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
2013 National Champions Louisville Cardinals have hollered. 2012 National Champions Kentucky Wildcats inquired too. Also the only program in Trey’s lifetime to have won back to back National Championships the Florida Gators have come calling no differently. How does a Canadian talent merit so much attention and interest from three hall of fame coaches, we asked Trey’s father Tom,
“Actually a few things. Fact he can play comfortably that 1 through 5… A lot of it had to do with that he’s such student of the game and how he’s so versatile…he constantly creates a match up problem. Whether it be in the post, on the perimeter, shooting the jump shot, whether it be taking off the drive, penetrating and kicking he’s extremely unselfish. He’s not a guy who needs to put up numbers to feel good about himself. That’s not what excites him. He would much rather just make the play” the elder Lyles also reiterated his work ethic “The kid knows how to work. He understands what it means”
Monday evening Tom Lyles, Treys father verified that the third visit with the Florida Gators is in the appointment books.
“It is official…date will be the 5th of October.” Said Trey’s father. Adding Trey is a fan of certain aspects the Gators could offer “He (Trey) likes the way they play as well as the guys that have come from the program and how things are going for them with the fact the weather is nice year round.”
When asked if it was Assistant Coach John Pelphrey who was looking after the mid west recruiting on behalf of the Gators, Mr. Lyles explained “Literally it’s been all Billy Donovan. Pretty much for every one of these programs it’s been the head coach. Personally I spend more time talking a lot with the assistants and the head coach spends more time talking to Trey”
Was there anything the Gators coaching staff led by Billy Donovan said to the Lyles family that stood out from the others?
“At this point everyone has said pretty much the same thing. I told each one of the four, for open gym we do not want them to come. No point. It’s time to talk particulars.”
Lost but not forgotten are the Butler Bulldogs. Tom offered this to say about a program many have written off in the Trey sweepstakes despite a glimmer of hope from Mr.Lyles,
“I would say there definitely in the race, I wouldn’t say there neck and neck, only because of the factor that we haven’t talked much with coach Miller since he’s taken over for Stevens. I will say though the school and the program kind of speak for itself….Education is huge in the (Lyles) family”
Final four programs in the fold.
The dates are set. August 31st the Lyles family will visit Louisville. October 5th they travel to the swamp in Gainesville and then the last official visit is October 18th on Kentucky campus.
EXPERTS
When Hoops Hype Canada (HHC) reached out to ESPN Basketball Insider Jeff Goodman about the public consensus south of the border, Goodman verified via email what makes Trey the Canadian sensation he is.
“I am a huge fan of Trey Lyles and his game. He just has such a high understanding of how to play, in all aspects. He can score both in the post, and also step out and make shots. He’s got great hands, and does a great job on the glass — and he’s also extremely unselfish on the court and makes his teammates better from a position in which that’s rarely the case. He’ll be one of those guys where some pick apart his game due to his lack of explosiveness, but he’s going to be a terrific college player — and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s a terrific pro as well. My gut tells me this one is coming down to Kentucky and Louisville.”
