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TSN Radio 1050 and TSN.ca, Basketball Analyst

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For the past five years, Canada has been represented at the most storied high school showcase in basketball, the McDonald’s High School All-American game. Players including Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Kyle Wiltjer, Myck Kabongo, Khem Birch, Anthony Bennett, Andrew Wiggins and Trey Lyles have not only been recognized as the best players in America, but North America.

During that same five-year span, there has been a steady brain drain of Canadian hoop talent flowing to the United States at the collegiate level and even more so from the high school ranks. Teenagers aspiring to make it to the NBA believe their path to going pro is through the NCAA with many feeling the need to play in high schools or prep schools in the U.S. to get ranked or catch a recruiter’s eye. While the northern streak may likely end this spring, it’s far from a loss as Canada now finally has a game of its own. The BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game on Tuesday April 14 will showcase the biggest and brightest high school athletes that Canada has to offer.
 
An 11-person panel of coaches, scouts and regional representatives who follow the game closely will pick the 24 players from across the Great White North.

“When we made our selection committee, we wanted to make sure there was good representation across Canada, not from one particular province,” said Tony McIntyre, the operations director and chairman of the committee said. “We have a good cross section of what our country looks like and, from everything I’ve seen so far, we’ve got some very good lists from the voting committee.”

On March 18, all votes will be tabulated and the rosters for the All-Canadian Game will be announced, bringing to light the country’s next generation of players. Thompson, a forward with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brampton native, sparked the Canadian McDonald’s All-American streak in 2010 with teammate Cory Joseph. He never had the opportunity to play in a game like this at home, but couldn’t be more pleased.

“I think it’s great for our country and great for the city,” said Thompson. “To really recognize those that have put in the work on the court that are Canadians and make them feel special for that game.”

Standout names like Thon Maker, Jamal Murray and Justin Jackson will surely be in the mix and draw attention and the hope is that the game will unearth the top athletes playing at home and abroad. With the world looking to Canada as the next basketball hotbed, it’s a surprise a game of this magnitude hasn’t happened already. Canada has sent 10 players to the McDonald’s game, dating back to 1981 with Bill Wennington, and countless more to the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit. McIntyre and the team felt the time was now.

“We basically got together and felt there was a platform that was needed to rejuvenate the high school basketball scene in Canada and give the top players an opportunity to show their stuff in front of a national audience,” he explained.

With the support of Canada Basketball and a partnership with TSN as a broadcast partner, the BioSteel All-Canadian Game promises to be the country's preeminent national high school showcase. For those players who look past Canada and seek the brighter lights down south, Thompson offers sage advice.

"The McDonald’s game was definitely an honour, a lot of great players played in those games,” he stated. “It’s definitely a fraternity that you want to be a part of, I’m blessed and fortunate to be a part of the McDonald’s All-American alumni. The guys that are playing in the All-Canadian game have to look at it as just as much of an honour, too.”