CNIT U17 Division Announced!
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The CNIT is less than 2 weeks away!
It’s time to introduce the field. Below you will see a preview of each team, which includes a combination of big name and under the radar programs working to make a name.
From a player standpoint, post-secondary programs can expect to evaluate talent from the high-major D1 level, all the way to CIS, DII, JUCO, CCAA and NAIA levels.
The Canadian 2016 class will be on display, along with a handful of TOP unsigned 2015 seniors still looking for a home at the next level.
Feature Canadian Prospects (2015 / 2016)
The following names provide a small preview of what to expect at CNIT:
- Thon Maker (2016 7’1 F | Canada Elite) Justin Jackson (2016 6’7 G | Canada Elite)
- Tyrell Gumbs-Frater (2016 6’4 SG | Grassroots Canada)
- Alonzo Walker (2015 6’7 F | Brampton Warriors)
- Jordan Aquino (2015 6’0 PG | Sphere)
Brampton Warriors
A squad loaded with talented unsigned seniors, including the top uncommitted Canadian in 2015, 6’7 Alonzo Walker + the combination of guards Freddie Ibrahim, Marcus Bonnick, and Ty Stewart-Nelson will look to make an impact. A guard-heavy, well coached team with experience. Coach Leon Archer and the Warriors have a nucleus that have been together for years…chemistry will carry them through at CNIT.
We plan on making noise in the CNIT, surprising a few teams on the way to Sunday. We will play a fast pace exciting game that the fans, media, coaches and scouts will enjoy watching. At the end of the day our success will be based on our pressure defense, if the guys bring it then they will further prove that “pressure bust pipe”. – Coach Leon Archer
Burlington Force – The “home team” will be tested. Expect heady play by the Rotterman brothers (Kyle & Kris) along with Malik Richards contributing in a big way to this team.
BTB Basketball
2016 PG Ahmed Ali and 6’6 Jeremiah Brown combine for a formidable BTB duo, but it will take a full team effort in order for this budding program to make some noise at CNIT. This group has already been battle tested, thus confidence or intimidation should not be a factor on the big stage.
Canada Elite
CE will undoubtedly be the team to beat, entering CNIT as the clear favorite to win it all. Thon Maker, Justin Jackson, Godwin Boahen, Marcus Ottey and co are looking to make a big statement.
Ranked Top 25 Nationally in America & on the hunt for an Under Armour crown, the program looks to solidify their presence on home soil at CNIT.
Grassroots Canada
History can never be taken away from the GRC program; the longest running Canadian AAU club hopes to make a splash on the big stage at CNIT. Scarborough product, Tyrell Gumbs-Frater will be expected to lead the way, along with Kevin Hamlet & Michael Edwards.
Along with our top guys, we also have a strong cast of supporting players who play hard, play defense and know their role. We have always been an uptempo team with a lot of talent. Going into CNIT, we always strive to make history…like we did in 2008-2009 [Las Vegas Adidas Super 64 Champs] – GRC Head Coach Ro Russell
Hoops Canada
A team to look out for, HC will be at full strength come CNIT; good size, length and overall talent at every position.
The big dog Isiaha Mike has been working on the low out in Vegas, we expect him to unleash July 10-12. Kardon Edwards, Keith Laryea, Kayodi Fakomy and more. Don’t sleep on this squad.
London Ramblers
This crew out of London, Ontario most won’t know about. They will be one of those teams from the small city working to gain respect on the big stage. Will be lead by 2016’s Vincent Carriere, Amar Hassan and Mondo Kokko.
When worst comes to worst, defense comes first with this group. We are disciplined on both sides of the ball. We will get out in transition and execut in the half court on offense. We will be viewed as an underdog, and hope the Cinderella Slipper Fits – Head Coach Kevin Barnes
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Markham Gators
The Gators have intentions of creeping up on the competition.
CNIT will be a great measuring stick for the program; this squad will be lead by John Nwosu, Brandon Ramirez and former Vaughan Voyageur Jusci Thompson who is said to have made good progress over the last year.
Mississauga Monarchs
The Monarchs have been a staple in the basketball community for years & there is certainly no shortage of talent coming out of of Mississauga and surrounding region. Expect Sauga City to have some surprises up their sleeve. 6’8 Ryan Cooper, 6’7 Shamar Bailey, 6’4 Devonte Daniels will lead the pack.
We have gone under the radar all year and now looking to make noise on the big stage with the kids showing they belong with the best of them. They bring height, speed, athleticism and grit. – Coach Sean Johnson and Jason Fowler
Ottawa Next Level
Under the radar. Ottawa Next Level have size, talent and probably their biggest weapon is toughness and grit. They will compete every possession, dive for loose balls & put their body on the line–expect a dog fight against the squad from the nation’s capital.
The players battle hard and win a lot of battles on both ends. We take advantage of our opponents’ turnovers with outstanding transition. We have a solid mix of size and speed, and can score inside and from 3. Our expectations are that we will battle hard in every quarter of every game. We don’t have the big names that some of the other teams do- we rely on strong team basketball and should never be counted out of any game. We thrive on making other teams pay for their mistakes. When we limit our own mistakes, we can be quite difficult to stop from scoring. – Coach Andrew DiMillo
Sphere
Unsigned 2015 PG Jordan Aquino and Olivier Cadieaux (2016 6’3 G) will look to lead the way for Sphere, out of Quebec. Don’t take this team lightly, they have the bodies to bang.
Thetford
The second Quebec contingent is Thetford Academy; this group will be lead by 2016 prospects Luc Lombardy (6’5 SG), Mamadou Keita (6’4 G), Borys Minger (6’2 SG) and Kasey Buzas (6’1 G).
The group has strong familiarity with each other having played together over the course of the regular high school season
Triple Balance
TB brings an interesting mix of talent; the team doesn’t have great size but they do have some toughness in the form of 6’5 banger Nick Mckee, in addition to respectable guard play from Jaaden Lewis, Luka Sevaljevic , and Dre McIntosh.
This group has played with each other for an extended period of time so chemistry should work in their favor.
Waterloo Wolverines
The boys out of Kitchener are not to be taken lightly. Another team that bring true grit, and take on the personality of their heart and soul Nedim Hodzic. Also, look out for Robbie Bramhill, who comes from a place you’ve never heard of called Wingham, Ontario–he has been making considerable advancements in his game and will surprise many.
We are a team that pushes the pace of the game and is looking to get the score up. The ball moves freely and we have different guys contribute every game. When we are playing at our best we believe that we can play with anyone and plan on being in the mix to win the CNIT. – Head Coach Jamie Campbell
