"Be One" All-Canadian weekend All-Star games

[By Ryan McNeill] - If you're a hoops fan living near Toronto then you will want to visit Humber College this weekend to watch the 2007 Be One All-Canadian Weekend All-Star Games. This weekend CIS and CCAA All-Canadian Award Winners, Conference Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year winners will participate in basketball development sessions led by Canada Basketball national team coaches and the weekend will culminate with the "Be One All-Canadian Men's and Women's All-Star Games" which will showcase Canada's next generation of basketball stars.

According to the press release I was sent, "Participants learn about Canada's elite performance system and career opportunities in the basketball (playing, coaching, and officiating) beyond university or college. The weekend provides athletes with the chance to interact directly with national team alumni, who share their experiences of the commitment required to play at a national team and professional level."

Players that have confirmed their involvement so far include; Osvaldo Jeanty from Carleton (two-time CIS Player of the Year and 2006 National Team Member), Patrick Sewell from Fanshaw College (CCAA Player of the Year), Martin Ajayi from McMaster University (CIS Defensive Player of the Year), Casey Archibald from University of British Columbia (CIS All-Canadian for second consecutive year), Sarah Crooks from University of Saskatchewan (Two-time CIS Player of the Year and 2006 National Team Member), Marie-Michelle Genois from Laval University (2006 National Team Member), Laurelle Weigl from Simon Fraser University (2006 Young Women's National Team Member and CIS Rookie of the Year), Uzoma Asagwara from University of Winnipeg (CIS scoring leader) and Chanelle St-Amour from Cegep de Sainte-Foy (former Junior National Team player).

When I was in high school Canada Basketball wasn't putting on events like this so it's great to see progress being made in the way that players are being developed and the way that Canada is marketing basketball to fans. Between the new National Elite Development Academy in Hamilton and weekend events like this it's been great to see Canada Basketball making huge strides in 2007 towards improving their youth development program.

If you want to find out more information about this event click here.