BasketballBuzz

Andrew Wiggins still keen on Canada Basketball

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:19:21 -0400

Nice write up confirming that Andrew Wiggins is still committed to the Canadian National Basketball Program. Wiggins father Mitch has confirmed that his son is truly committed to the organization which now employees him as Scout. "Up until this year, he's played in all of Canada's tournaments," the senior Wiggins said of his son, who has been involved in the national program since he was 14 and has never before hesitated to represent his country. "The last couple of years have been very taxing on him," Mitchell said, referring to the snowballing media storm that peaked (for now) with last month's decision to attend the University of Kansas. "We talked to [national senior men's team general manager] Steve Nash and [Jayhawks head coach] Bill Self and we tried to come up with a program that fits everybody, but also gets Andrew some rest because, at the end of the day he's 18. He's a talented kid, but he's 18." Wiggins will attend summer school at Kansas and take advantage of what's widely considered to be one of the best fitness programs in the NCAA, in terms of player development. "The biggest thing was having Steve, Canada Basketball and coach Self on the same page," Mitchell told me. "He's committed to the Canadian national program, but we just felt this was best route for him to go." The scenario does beg the question though: If this summer requires Wiggins taking a step back to catch his breath and prepare, what will next summer -- when he's expected to go No. 1 in the NBA Draft -- bring? Will his pro team, whom he will have yet to play a minute for, frown upon him suiting up for Canada in an even bigger tournament -- the FIBA world championships -- should they get there? As it stands now, Wiggins will not be taking part in the qualifying for that either, the FIBA Americas tournament in Venezuela this August. His father, who, it should be noted, is now employed by Canada Basketball as a scout, says historically jaded fans have nothing to worry about. "I think the route he's chosen to go is the right way because, after this year, things will change," he said. "After this year, he's not going to have a lot of [down time]. He'll be playing on the national team and, hopefully, in the NBA ... he's going to be fresh, he's going to be healthy and his commitment is there as far as Canada Basketball."

Andrew Wiggins, Trey Lyles, Tyler Ennis & Jabari Craig Headline Stacked 2013 Canadian Jr. National Team

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:22:21 -0400

Toronto, ON - (BasketballBuzz) - Canada's most wanted basketball duo will team-up to lead a deep and talented 2013 Canadian Junior National Team to the FIBA U19 World Championship. Canadian phenom Andrew Wiggins (Concord, ON, 2013, Kansas JayHawks) and Trey Lyles (Saskatoon, SK, 2014, uncommitted) are amongst the top names announced to take part in the upcoming training camp, running through June 8-11 at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. Both Wiggins & Lyles teamed-up at the 2012 U18 Championships to help Canada qualify to this years world championships. A deeper look at the training camp roster also features 2014 Centre Jabari Craig (Tucker, GA) who is drawing interest from Maryland, Purdue and several mid-majors. Out of the 22 invitees 17 of them come from the province of Ontario. The west coast gets some representations from Manroop Clair (Vancouver, BC) and 6'8 Conor Morgan (Victoria, BC, UBC Thunderbirds), the only CIS Men's Basketbnall invitee on the list After the conclusion of the training came Canada will face some stiff competition against Brazil and the United States. The USA game in particular will provide a glimpse of just how far apart both nations really are. After all, most of these young athletes will have future NBA careers and eventually play for their respective Senior Men's National teams. From there, it's on to the World's where the young Canadians will hope to bring home a medal at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championships in Czech Republic starting on June 27 and finish on July 7. Canada finds itself in a winnable Group A where it match-up against Croatia, Spain, Korea. 2013 Junior Men’s National Team Training Camp Roster Matthew Atewe - (Post/6-9, Brampton,ON) Manroop Clair - (Guard/6-2, Vancouver, BC) Jabari Craig - (Post/6-10, Toronto, ON) Joey De Cimon - (Wing/6-5, Regina, SK) Chris Egi - (Post/6-8, Markham, ON) Tyler Ennis - (Guard/6-2, Brampton, ON) Justin Jackson - (Wing/6-6, Ajax, ON) Miroslav Jaksic - (Post/6-9, Windsor, ON) Kaza Keane - (Guard/6-2, Ajax, ON) Trey Lyles - (Post/6-10, Saskatoon, SK) Mikyle McIntosh - (Wing/6-6, Pickering, ON) Conor Morgan - (Wing/6-8, Victoria, BC) Duane Notice - (Guard/6-3, Woodbridge, ON) Agunwa Okolie - (Post/Wing/6-8, Ajax, ON) Emmanuel Owootoah - (Guard/5-10, Toronto, ON) Marko Pirovic - (Wing/6-7, Bolton, ON) Xavier Rathan-Mayes - (Wing/6-4, Scarborough, ON) Jamal Reynolds - (Post/Wing/6-4, Pickering, ON) Marial Shayok - (Wing/6-5, Ottawa, ON) Denzell Taylor - (Wing/6-7, Brampton, ON) Andrew Wiggins - (Wing/6-7, Concord, ON) Kevin Zabo - (Guard/6-1, Gatineau, QC) 2013 Junior Men's National Team Staff Roy Rana - Head Coach Jamie McNeilly - Assistant Coach Scott Morrison - Assistant Coach Steve Konchalski - Mentor Coach Jesse Young - Apprentice Coach Mike Meeks - Guest Coach Kirby Schepp - Guest Coach Krisjon Vargas - Athletic Therapist James DePoe - Team Manager David Cox - Sports Psychologist Pay Traynor - Stats & Analysis Borko Popic - Stats & Analysis Matt McDonald - Video Co-ordinator John Philpott - Doctor Mikeala Berza - Camp Assistant

Andrew Wiggins humble like his track star mom, Marita Payne

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 01:52:37 -0400

They say some of humblest beginnings come from your mother. In the case of Canadian Basketball phenom Andrew Wiggins its easy to know understand why he caries himself the way he does, not to say that his pops wasn't a major influence but i mean you cant replace the role of a mother. “Do you happen to know the name of this park?” I asked. And for second or two, there was uncomfortable silence. “It’s Marita something,” the first voice answered. “I think it’s named for the street it’s on,” said another young man. “No,” said a third guy in uniform. “It’s Mar-i-tah (pronounced incorrectly) Payne Park, I remember it from our schedule. That’s the name. At least, I think that’s the name.” And then a second question: “Do any of you know who Marita Payne is? Not one of them, all of them sports-minded men in their 20s, knew the answer. Either answer. And both are worth knowing about. Marita Payne ran for Canada all over the world. She was a track star and more than 20 years after retirement still holds the Canadian record for the 200 metres and 400 metres. She won two silver medals at the Los Angeles Olympics of 1984 in relay events. She’s 52 years old now, mother of six, and no woman in the Olympic history of this country, has more won more track and field medals than she did. That’s who Marita Payne is. “She was very quiet, still is very quiet, and very unassuming. But on the track, she was a fierce competitor and I mean fierce.”

Andrew Wiggins Graduates From Huntington Prep, Sincerely Thanks Community

Mon, 27 May 2013 13:23:42 -0400

Not that we need any more Andrew Wiggins news but this is well worth the archive. Andrew Wiggins has officially completed his high school career by graduating from Huntington Prep/St.Joe. In a sincerely letter to his coaches, community and the families that took him in during his time in West Virginia. Class act, by a Class guy. The guy is after all Canadian and raised by good parents, so this totally expected from Wiggins. o the people and community of Huntington: I just wanted to thank Huntington for your support for me and my Huntington Prep teammates and coaches these past two years. Without the community, none of what has been accomplished would have been attainable. I hope that when you hear or read my name, you are proud to say I played my high school days here in Huntington. Because I am proud to say I played here. I like to represent my hometown of Thornhill, Ontario, and my country of Canada in a positive light and I will do the same for Huntington and for my team and coaches of Huntington Prep. It has been such a positive experience and I would advise any player to come to Huntington Prep. I am from Canada and I am going to Kansas to play college basketball. I will hopefully be drafted to a city that I enjoy. But I will always have a place for Huntington in my heart and memories. I will not forget all the sacrifices they made for me and my teammates. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sincerely, Andrew Wiggins Huntington Prep

Syracuse PG Tyler Ennis Ready To Go For Canada's Talented U19 National Team

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:08:29 -0400

Syracuse bound point guard Tyler Ennis has verbally committed to attending Canada's U19 tryouts set for early June. Ennis, by virtue of his inclusion on last summer's U18 team, would appear to be a virtual lock for the U19 squad. "He was a huge, huge part of our team," Rana said, "and I expect him to be a part of it (this summer). He's a phenomenal young man, a great leader and a very, very good point guard. Canada which qualified to the u19 championships by earning bronze at the U18's last year is once again expected to field an impressive squad which will look to challenge for Gold in Prague. Last years squad also featured Andrew Wiggins, (#1 2013), Trey Lyles (#1 2014), Duane Notice, Matthew Atewe and a plethora of talent that should carry over to the U19 squad. The big question now is weather Wiggins will play for the U19 Canadian National team or will he make the leap to play for the Senior Men's squad, or will he play at all? All signs point to Wiggin

Nike's Ridiculous Contract Paying Off As LeBron James Once Again Tops NBA Shoe List

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:10:58 -0400

The game’s most dominant player is also crushing the competition in stores, outselling his nearest rival’s signature sneakers 6-to-1. Nike generated $300 million in U.S. retail sales in 2012 for James’ signature shoes, according to research firm SportsOneSource. Nike’s haul represents a 50% increase from sales of James’ kicks in 2011. “The first thing is the aesthetics. The shoes look great and his star stature continues to rise,” says SportsOneSource analyst Matt Powell. “The media attention on him helps him sell more footwear.”

Andrew Wiggins: Future Canadian Basketball Star

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:37:31 -0400

With so many dope articles about Andrew Wiggins here is one that had some strong points in relationship to the impact Wiggins will have on the next generation of Canadian basketball players and the landscape of the game up North. How many of you can name a Canadian born athlete who would right now go down in the history books as one of the best? Neither one of you can because it never happened. I don’t want to put too much pressure on Wiggins but when he does enter the NBA next year, he’ll have an enormous impact on the game itself. “We’re heading to a place when we will have to cut NBA players for the national team,” Parrish says. “And hopefully the bond is so strong that they’ll get it.” Canada needs basketball back. We need it to be recognized internationally and be known for our love of the game. Investors need to realize the opportunity and potential there is in the Canadian basketball program. As one commenter put it, “Basketball was invented by a Canadian. Time to bring it back to the north.

Toronto Raptors Amongst The 3 best NBA destinations for Canadian Andrew Wiggins

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:45:13 -0400

Andrew Wiggins, the most heavily-hyped high-school basketball prospect since LeBron James, committed to the University of Kansas on Tuesday. Of course, where he chose to go to college doesn’t ultimately mean much—everyone knows that his destination is the NBA, and he would have been the top pick in this year’s draft if he was eligible. With that in mind, here are the three teams expected to be near the top of next season’s draft lottery that would make the most sense for Wiggins. Wiggins is thought of by many as the “next LeBron,” so it would only be right that he follows in James’ footsteps and plays for his hometown team. The Raptors would be guaranteed at least one SportsCenter Top 10 play every night by adding the high-flying Wiggins to a collection of electric young wings that includes Terrence Ross and DeMar DeRozan.

Canadian Top Prospect Andrew Wiggins Shocks College Basketball World, Commits To Kansas

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:20:28 -0400

(Huntington, W.VA) - (BasketballBuzz) - The wait is officially over! Canadian basketball sensation Andrew Wiggins will be attending the University of Kansas to play for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks. In a low key fashion, Wiggins made it official by inking his name on the letter of intent in a private ceremony reserved for family and friends. Wiggins, a 6-8 forward from Huntington (W.Va.) Prep who scored 23.4 points and grabbed 11.2 rebounds per game this season on his way to grabbing every available national high school award in the process. The announcement is a big scoop for the Jayhawks program, who came in late in the recruiting process but clearly had just a much to offer as the other three candidates, North Carolina, Kentucky and Florida State. Many analysts including the likes of Dick Vitale had predicted that the talented Canadian would take his talent to Florida State given his parents connection with the school and head coach Leonard Hamilton early recruiting start. While others swore on all religions that Wiggins was bound to Kentucky to join an already stacked Wildcats squad. But instead, nobody saw it coming. Brotherly Love, are two strong words! In a factor that clearly outweighed the opportunity to continue the family tradition at Florida State and a crack at national glory with his good friend and fellow Canadian Xavier Rathan-Mayes. Instead, Wiggins passed all of that, and proved just about everybody wrong by deciding to play at Kansas and stay closer to his brother Nick Wiggins who is also expected to play a bigger role in near by Wichita State. Wichita State also shocked the college basketball world by making an improbable run to the 2013 Final Four as a 9th-seed. The decision absolutely makes sense, Andrew Wiggins is really only going to college because David Stern had enough of seeing Jermaine O'neal, Kobe, Garnett and others make the leap from high school straight to the NBA. Pause for a second! and think about that. No David Stern, and we would have seen a Canadian high school basketball player go from Vaughn, ON, Canada straight to L. Yeah hard. The 2013-2014 Jayhawks roster features one of the best recruiting classes in the Bill Self era and will give Wiggins the opportunity to operate freely while learning the X's and O's from one the finest coach in the business. Kansas is losing leading scorer Ben McLemore who many expect to be a lottery pick in the upcoming 2013 NBA Draft. Not to mention, Wiggins being in the state of Kansas will also keep him close to his brother, help develop Nick's game and hopefully get him a look at the League, from a Junior College! Not to mention, the choice to play at Kansas also benefits his parents (FSU graduates) and offers them opportunity to also attend both of their games when possible. The Decision. Finally concludes the chapter on a historic recruiting process that will go down in the history books of Canadian basketball. As Toronto Sun communist Ryan Wolstat put it in the tweet below, Wiggins is also in good company in Kansas.

Canada's best-ever hoops prospect heading to James Naismith's old stomping grounds. Kind of fitting. #Wiggins @22wiggins
May 14, 2013

According the Wiggin's Dad, a former NBAer himself it was down to Florida State and Kansas.

Andrew'sDad Mitchell says final 2 were Kansas and Florida State..but Andrew said all the schools were great..tough choice
May 14, 2013

Now can the 2013-2014 NCAA Men's Basketball season start already.

A Guide to the Andrew Wiggins Announcement and/or Apocalypse

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:26:26 -0400

How good is Andrew Wiggins? Depending on who you ask and where you saw him play, he is either Harrison Barnes 2.0 (overrated no. 1 prospect destined to tantalize but ultimately drive college fans insane) or something like Kevin Durant 2.0 (the next NBA superstar, limitless potential, future member of the Illuminati, etc.). For now, let's say he's something in between. Probably not good enough to justify all this hype, but definitely good enough to make a dent in college hoops next year and turn just about any school into a contender.