TORONTO (Canada) – Canada Basketball didn’t stall their preparation toward the FIBA Basketball U17 World Cup and FIBA U18 Americas Championship of next summer, and last week held a camp at the University of Toronto for eligible players.

From October 11 to 13, more than 180 young players made a way in the camp whose objective was to identify the best Canadian prospects born in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 to invite them to official tryouts for said national teams. Canada Basketball coaches from different levels – universities, high schools, and clubs – oversaw the technical aspect of the concentration.

Each age group had four open sessions during the activity days, including drills and friendly games. “We make them do some drills and play a bit so that we can evaluate them throughout the weekend. We then make the picks to reduce the group of athletes to the one we want to take to the final camp,” said Michael Meeks, Canada Basketball’s Youth Development Manager, to FIBA.basketball.

“It’s quite a strong group, particularly those born in 2003. We had a great team in the Qualifiers this last year and a lot of these guys in the court are very talented. The rest of this group age team has also improved a lot, they've improved their skills, they're a little older, so they're stronger, taller and lengthier. I think that these are important ages because athletes grow a lot both physically and mentally,” added Meeks.

Canada’s youth program has just finished fourth place in the U17 World Cup last year in Argentina. Meanwhile, the U19 squad was eighth in the world championship held last summer in Greece.

Meeks stressed on the need for following-up with these athletes, with the objective of continuing their long-term preparation within the ranks of the Canadian program. “We’ll definitely be following and monitoring them like we always do,” said Meeks. “We’re also ensuring that their daily physical training is strong so that they have a better opportunity of developing in the coming months when their high school season starts.”

Meeks, who back in the day was an excellent power forward and center for the Canadian national team with experience in the Olympic Games and World Cup, shared the youth program’s goals for next summer.

“We're always trying to be in the podium and to win a medal. We're making sure that we're developing our athletes and making them better, but also winning at the same time. And preparing them to eventually play with our senior teams.”

FIBA