(Longueuil) In a speech reminiscent of a Spider-Man maxim, the FIBA Americas General Manager spoke about what comes with the distinction, while a Basketball Without Borders camp is being held in Longueuil, organized by the NBA and FIBA .
“You are a select group that deserved to be here,” Carlos Alves said to about 60 young athletes. You have a very special talent. »
“With this comes a responsibility: to put it all on the table, to give it all you’ve got. Basketball is a difficult sport. Keep dreaming and dream big: that’s what makes it all meaningful. »
Already on the rise, the Quebec canvas in the NBA grew a little more on Friday: Olivier-Maxence Prosper was drafted 24th by the Kings, who then traded him to Dallas.
From Thursday to Sunday, Cégep Édouard-Montpetit welcomes some sixty young people born in 2006, among the best players in Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Among the instructors, three sources of inspiration: a trio of Quebec players in the NBA in Chris Boucher of the Raptors, Luguentz Dort of the Thunder and Bennedict Mathurin of the Pacers.
At this 12th Americas BSF Camp, the other coaches are assistants in the NBA: Eric Khoury (Raptors), Rodney Billups (Blazers), Joe Boylan (Timberwolves), Quinton Crawford (Mavericks), Bruce Fraser (Warriors) and Jay Hernandez (Net).
“O-Max is another proof of all the talent there is in Quebec,” added Dort, about the new member of the brotherhood.
“I’m very happy for him. It is very versatile. He has a lot of energy, he can block shots, he knows where to place himself in attack. »
“It’s very special to see that there are a lot of guys from the Montreal area in the NBA,” Boucher said.
“I trained a few times with Olivier-Maxence. Its potential is unlimited. The important thing is to focus on the right things. »
He and Dort reminded that for these young people at camp these days, you have to realize that the road will be bumpy.
“They have to understand that there are ups and downs for everyone,” Boucher said. They must also believe that by working hard and keeping the same energy, they can achieve their goal. They must continue to dream, persevere and follow the steps. »
“It’s not going to be easy and everyone is going to have their own path,” Dort added. The key is to always work hard and believe in it. »
Boucher and Dort are undrafted players who came through the G League before earning their way into the NBA.
“It took me a while to realize how lucky I am,” Boucher said. It’s not easy and not everyone is going to make it to the NBA.
“It took me a long time before I was able to appreciate every moment and find pleasure in it, as it is for me right now. You never know when it might stop. »
The Raptors are starting a new chapter with Serbian coach Darko Rajakovic, hired on June 13 to replace Nick Nurse, who was fired in April.
“He’s going to put a new system in place,” Boucher said. He is very enthusiastic and you can see that he is a ‘players’ coach, he really wants us to improve.
“Everything I’ve heard about him is positive. He is dedicated and he comes from a good system. »
“Last year we had some dips and it was a bit difficult to come back up,” Boucher said. It’s going to be a fresh start. »
“Several facets of my game are starting to come out more; the game gets a bit slower. It comes with experience. »
Boucher led Toronto with 10 offensive fouls drawn last season.
In November, he rode a six-game streak averaging 18 points per game.
As of Feb. 28, he had a 37% success rate on three-pointers.
The leaders also note the skills of Quebec players.
“There is a lot of talent in Montreal and Quebec,” added NBA assistant vice-president Chris Ebersole, responsible for international basketball operations and elite development.
Involved in BSF for 10 years, Ebersole has seen several young people progress to the NBA such as Dort, Mathurin, Prosper, Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“It was immediately obvious that they have great talent, but it’s difficult to make predictions at that age,” said the American manager, who speaks excellent French.
“Camp can be a measuring stick, but you never know which ones will continue to really progress. »
A total of 38 former BSF participants were part of an NBA club at the start of the recently concluded season.
Originally from Montreal North, Dort and Mathurin took part in the BSF world camp in 2017 and 2020, respectively.
Ontarians Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander were there in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Prosper, from Rosemère, took part in the 2020 world camp.
Murray helped the Nuggets win the NBA championship this year. Gilgeous-Alexander plays alongside Dort with OKC.
BSF is the global development program of the NBA and FIBA.
Last year, the Americas camp was presented at the NBA Academy of Latin America complex in Mexico.
Since 2001, the program has welcomed more than 4,000 participants from 135 countries and territories.
A total of 106 alumni have advanced to the NBA or WNBA.
The NBA and FIBA have hosted 68 BSF camps in 45 cities across 32 countries.
