Canada’s rising basketball stars suited up at the second ProCAN Invitational over the weekend for a chance at going pro. The invitational provided a platform for graduating Canadian athletes to exhibit their basketball talent to an array of basketball decision makers, including coaches, executives, agents, managers, media personnel, and more. The event featured the first-ever Canadian women’s game alongside the men’s game, and it was a resounding success. Look no further than the ProCan Invitational Two for a firsthand look at the rise of Canadian basketball.
The invitational began with a full day of basketball, where players had the chance to learn, network, and prepare for the big game. The coaches also had their fun, as a coaching clinic was dedicated to their development. The players engaged in drills, practice sessions, and a groundbreaking mentorship session, the first of its kind for ProCAN. The afternoon was action-packed with five men’s teams and two women’s teams battling it out on the court.
Day two of the ProCAN Invitational was equally impressive, with an open tryout All-Star showcase kicking off the afternoon. The highly anticipated big games followed, featuring two classic battles in both the men’s and women’s games. The games showcased the rising talent, with players giving their all in each possession as they battled for their teams and a chance to make a name for themselves. From buzzer-beating shots to hard-fought rebounds, the games were a testament to the passion and dedication of the athletes on the court.
Women’s Basketball in Canada Shines at ProCAN Invitational
The women’s game was a close one, with neither team able to pull ahead for long stretches. Miea Campbell-Johnson and Jana Kucera traded three-pointers midway through the fourth quarter. Justina King came through for Team-White (Adunbiade) by scoring some difficult baskets and giving them a comfortable lead. Team-Black (Girling) rallied behind Mackeey Shantz and Sarah Gates, taking a one-point lead with only nine seconds remaining. Sofia Ainsa Lluch hit a clutch three-pointer for Team-White at a critical moment to tie the game, forcing overtime. Brittney English and Sofia Ainsa Lluch dominated overtime, leading Team-White (Adunbiade) to an exciting 112-104 win.
Lauren Golding, who scored a team-high 17 points, was named player of the game. She said, “I utilized my guard-forward skills to my advantage today, being active on the court, getting inside the paint, and grabbing rebounds that ultimately helped me succeed.”
A Showcase of Canada’s Elite Men’s Basketball Talent
Similar to the women’s game, the majority of the men’s game was close. From the very beginning, Xavier Ochu was on a mission, lighting up the scoreboard with his red-hot shooting. Eze Dike also made an impressive start, scoring nearly half of his team’s points by the halfway mark of the first half. With the help of Michael Asante and Jahmal Abbey-Wright, Team Black (Jamil) had built a comfortable eight-point lead with just one minute remaining in the third quarter.
However, Team White (Cassimy) came roaring back in the fourth quarter. Their great ball movement and total team effort cut their deficit to just one point midway through the final quarter. With clutch baskets from Shae Linton-Brown and the late-game heroics of Jabril Price-Noel, Team White willed their way to a hard-fought victory.
Jahbril Price-Noel and Xavier Ochu shared the honors of co-players of the game. Price-Noel explained, “I told the guys that if we win everyone eats. We made sure to get everyone involved, because I knew if we won everyone would look good.” Ochu added, “My quick in and out dribble, and attacking the rim, I haven’t really seen someone who can stop that yet, and I proved it tonight,” when asked about his signature move and what sets him apart from others.
Elevating Canadian Basketball on the Global Stage
ProCAN 2 was a spectacular event, providing a remarkable opportunity for graduating basketball athletes in Canada. The event saw the presence of former NBA champions such as Joel Anthony, basketball influencers including Tariq Sbiet from NPH, and Drew Ebanks from ON Point Basketball, among others, who were soaking in all the growth and wonders of the rise of basketball in Canada. Last year, 19 of the 32 men that were invited to the event received professional contracts in Canada and overseas. With the inclusion of women this year, we can only expect these numbers to grow further.
“If you missed ProCAN 2, be sure to mark your calendar for ProCAN 3. This year, we expect even more athletes to sign pro contracts. As the years go by, the event will only keep getting bigger, and there will be more opportunities coming,” said Mark Zaragoza, the assistant coach for Humber Hawks basketball team and the Pro Can Director of Operations.
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