by ldh2013 » Tue Jun 14, 2016 8:24 am
The 2014 NBA Draft witnessed a record four Canadians drafted and another record 14 players suiting up on NBA Summer League rosters. . It will be another landmark season for Canadians playing in the NBA, particularly with key roles. Now that all the draft dust has settled, the big question is: Whats next?...or more importantly, whos next? Some took the prep school route in the States, while others played basketball at home - get to know the next wave of Canadian players to enter the NCAA ranks. The 2014 Class may not include as many one-and-done players as 2013, but its not for a lack for talent. Trey Lyles is the biggest prospect out of the pack and, while he was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he grew up in the Hoosier state of Indiana. Lyles was recruited by the nations best in Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who has proven he has an eye for NBA-caliber talent. Meet the next wave. Trey Lyles, 610” Power ForwardHometown: Camby, IndianaHigh School/Prep: Arsenal TechSchool: University of Kentucky*Chris Egi, 69” Power Forward/CentreHometown: Markham, OntarioHigh School/Prep: Montverde AcademySchool: Harvard University Marial Shayok, 65” Shooting Guard Hometown: Ottawa, OntarioHigh School/Prep: Blair AcademySchool: University of Virginia *Tristan Etienne, 69 Power Forward Hometown: Abbotsford, BCHigh School/Prep: W.J. MouatSchool: University of WashingtonJabari Craig, 610 Centre Hometown: Toronto, OntarioHigh School/Prep: Fishburne Military SchoolSchool: USC Nemanja Zarkovic, 63” Guard Hometown: Montreal, QuebecHigh School/Prep: BrebeufSchool: Fordham University Kevin Zabo, 63 Point Guard Hometown: Sherbrooke, QuebecHigh School/Prep: Brewster AcademySchool: San Diego State University Raynold Kasongo, 69” Power Forward Hometown: Toronto, OntarioHigh School/Prep: Phase 1School: University of Oregon *Drew Urguhart, 68” Forward Hometown: Vancouver, BCHigh School/Prep: St. Georges School: University of Vermont Francis Kiapway, 63” Guard Hometown: Hamilton, OntarioHigh School/Prep: St. Thomas MoreSchool: Ball State University *Jadon Cohee, 64” Point GuardHometown: Vancouver, BC High School/Prep: Walnut GroveSchool: Seattle University Trae Bell-Haynes, 62” Point Guard Hometown: Toronto, OntarioHigh School/Prep: Bill Crothers Secondary SchoolSchool: University of Vermont * - Players with an asterisk were members of the 2014 Junior Mens National Team that earned a silver medal at the FIBA Americas tournament in Colorado last month. The Canadians fell to the USA in the championship game, finishing with the highest place by a Canadian team ever at this tournament. . On Sunday, the Thunder just wanted to bask in another comeback win and another historical statistical performance by Kevin Durant. . The Astros ended a franchise winless streak at Fenway Park with a pesky performance, rallying to tie Boston twice before finishing off the Red Sox in extra innings. .K. Subban in the final minute of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. "I obviously got caught up in the moment," Thornton said on an offday at the TD Garden.NEW ORLEANS -- John Jenkins lay on the court with his hands over his face as Vanderbilt teammates celebrated all around, exuberant after beating No. 1 Kentucky 71-64 for the programs first Southeastern Conference tournament title in more than 60 years. The Wildcats might not really care about the SEC tournament. The Commodores did. Jeffery Taylor scored 18 points, Jenkins added 17 and Vanderbilt rallied with a 16-2 run over the final 5 minutes to end the Wildcats 24-game winning streak that lasted more than three months. "Their 24 game winning streak. Their name on the front of their jersey doesnt matter to us," Vanderbilts Lance Goulbourne said. "Whoever was in our way, we were going to play as hard as we could to try to win that championship." Festus Ezeli also had 17 points for Vanderbilt (24-10), which was playing in its first SEC tournament final since 1951, the year of its only other championship. The Commodores pushed ahead in the final minutes with a few timely shots, but mostly with suffocating defence. Kentucky (32-2) didnt score a field goal over the final 8:04 and shot just 35.9 per cent from the field (23 of 64). "We played really solid defence all game," Taylor said. "The coaches came up with a great game plan and we followed that for the most part. Also, you have to be a little lucky. They missed some open looks." The Wildcats might still win a championship this season, but it wasnt in the SEC tournament. Even with the loss, Kentucky will almost certainly earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament when the brackets are announced later Sunday. Kentucky coach John Calipari said the loss didnt dampen his enthusiasm for this team, but it did serve as a wake-up call. "Maybe now everybody realizes were not invincible," Calipari said. "Were like everybody else out there. Were going to have to execute, play hard and with some aggressiveness and intensity or we will get beat." Darius Miller scored 16 points in a surprise start for Kentucky while Terrence Jones and Anthony Davis both added 12. Davis had 10 rebounds and three blocked shots, but he got into some rare early foul trouble that limited his effectiveness. Calipari has repeatedly told anyone who will listen that he doesnt care about conference tournaments, viewing them as a nuisance before the NCAA tournament because of the three-games-in-three-days griind. . "I wish this would have happened yesterday so we got home a day earlier," Calipari said. And while Kentucky had bouts of good play, it was Vanderbilt that put together a much more consistent performance, one that left Commodores coach Kevin Stallings sitting alone on the bench, his face buried in a towel. Vanderbilt had already played Kentucky close twice this season, and the Commodores were up to the challenge once again. Taylor scored 13 first-half points and Jenkins hit three 3-pointers as the Commodores pushed out to a 26-18 but had to settle for a 37-37 tie at halftime. As is their custom, Kentuckys fans completely took over the SEC tournament and turned New Orleans Arena into a home venue, roaring when Miller was announced as a surprise starter. But even with that emotional lift, Vanderbilt had more energy in the first half and the Wildcats were constantly battling from behind. Millers eight first-half points and a couple of timely 3-pointers by Kyle Wiltjer helped Kentucky keep things from getting out of hand. There wasnt much separation in the second half until about halfway through, when Jones had two powerful dunks to put Kentucky up 54-49 and get the crowd into it. It looked like Kentucky might pull away, but then the entire teams shooting touch suddenly went frigid. After a dunk by Miller with 8:04 left, the Wildcats missed 14 consecutive shots from the field to lose for the first time since Dec. 10. "We missed every single shot down the stretch," Calipari said. "And when I say every shot, I mean every shot." Vanderbilt worked its way back from a seven-point deficit with 5:25 remaining, tying the game at 62-all on Ezelis tip-in with 1:56 left and taking the lead for good when freshman Kedren Johnson converted a three-point play. The loss spoiled the Wildcats perfect season against SEC competition. Kentucky is 18-1 against SEC opponents. Vanderbilt has won four of five games heading into the NCAA tournament and is certainly confident after beating the No. 1 team in the country. "Its unbelievable. Im so happy right now," said Vanderbilts Steve Tchiengang, who was wearing a basketball net and Mardi Gras beads around his neck in the aftermath. "I feel so blessed to be around these guys and this coaching staff. Its just an awesome feeling. I really cant explain it. Its unbelievable." ' ' '
