Tramar Sutherland Erupts for 41 Points, Leads Black to ProAm Ship’…Tut Ruach Adds 27
TORONTO, ON–After weeks of competitive action between top talent from the NBL of Canada and MegaCity basketball, the ProAm series concluded last night with a championship game and all-star festivities.
In the championship game between Team Green and Team Black, a surprised Green found themselves down 17-0 early in the game. After posting a record of 5-1 Green was seen by many as the team to beat, but Black established themselves in the first quarter and led 27-9. The second quarter saw Black maintain the advantage with strong play from guards Tut Rauch and Tramar Sutherland, and entered halftime up 52-24 including 26 points from Sutherland.
Green looked to make a push out of the break and started the third quarter on a 13-4 run, but team Black head coach David Joseph quickly called a timeout and got his team back on track. With team Black back on track they cruised to a 106-75 victory led by Sutherland’s 41 points and nine rebounds and Ruach’s 27 points, five assists, and four rebounds.
After the championship game, ball carts were loaded up as representatives from each of the ProAm teams competed in a three-point shootout. Arun Kumar led all shooters with 16 after the first round, but it was Sinisa Bjelica that won the final round.
In the dunk contest that followed, Jordan Wynter stole the show. In front of a judges panel that included MegaCity President Jesse Asido, Power owner Henry Chow, Drew Ebanks of On Point, Duane Watson of TSN and Sean Bookal, Wynter displayed serious bounce. After Isiah Swaby dunked in a throwback Vince Carter jersey, Wynter completed an off-the-bounce 360 self-oop that scored a perfect 50.
An All-Star game between select players from Team MegaCity and Team NBL capped off the night. Unlike some run-and-gun all-star games, each team dug in and played tough; MegaCity wanted to win to show they could compete with pros and the NBL squad had to win to keep their reputation. It was a closely contested game with the NBL mainaining a slight lead throughout and winning 96-79. Mark Gomillia of the Mississauga Power scored a team-high 28 to lead the NBL All-Stars and Branko Veljovic led all scorers with 33 points for MegaCity in the loss.
“We’re pros and we do this every day,” Gomillia said after the win. “It’s all fun and games but sometimes you’ve just got to turn it up a little bit to show guys why we get paid to do what we do.”
Gomillia played for Team Red during the ProAm and appreciated the opportunity to continue playing at a high level through the summer. “It’s been great to have this after the season in the summer for everybody to play and as the years go on it’s only going to get bigger. It’s great for me, I love the runs every Tuesday and Sunday and it’s well-organized with team jerseys and coaches and it keeps me in shape playing in game action instead of just in workouts.”
With the ProAm concluded, a select team of players will travel to China to play in the “Four Nations Tournament” from July 26th to August 5th against the national teams of New Zealand and Cameroon, and pro team Liao Ning of the Chinese Basketball Association. Players will then look forward to the NBL Canada combine held at ACTS in Orangeville August 17/18 where they will demonstrate their skill in hopes to get drafted August 19th at the NBL Canada Draft in Markham.
