All Time High of 35 Canadians at Hoop Hall Classic, 6 Committed
SPRINGFIELD, MA–There is a whooping 35 Canadians in attendance at the Hoop Hall, with only six who have committed to a college program. A bulk of this talent comes from the two Canadian based team in Athlete Institute and Orangeville Prep.
The calm and composed PG at Montverde, Howard Washington, was the first to pledge to Butler, followed by Nova Scotia’s Nate Darling who is committed to the University of Alabama Birmingham.
The biggest commitment is Athlete Institute’s Nikola Djogo who will be headed to a big time program in Notre Dame.
The remaining make up a huge chunk of the Top 20 prospects in North Pole Hoops’ Canadian 2016, 2017 and 2018 graduating classes.
Rowan Barrett Jr. is the headliner for Canadians. Simply put, his performances and skill set are jaw dropping to take in, especially if you’re a coach or fan that’s seeing him for the first time. Pause…then they look down at a roster in front of them and recognize that Barrett is a 2019 prospect, again they are in awe.
Montverde Academy
Howard Washington Jr | 2016 | 6’2 | Point Guard (Butler Commit)
Rowan “RJ Barrett | 2019 | 6’6 | Guard
Simi Shittu | 2018 | 6’8 | Forward
Marcus Carr | 2018 | 6’2 | Point Guard
Montverde has got production from the active Canadians on the roster consistently this season. After a terrific outing at the City of Palms, the boys have continued here in Springfield, MA at the birth place of basketball.
Findlay College Prep
Oshae Brissett | 2017 | 6’8 | Forward
Shakwon Barrett | 2017 | 6’3 | Point Guard
Oak Hill
Lindell Wigginton | 2017 | 6’2 | Point Guard
Macduffie School
Jordy Tshimanaga 2016 6’11 Forward/Center
Vermont Academy
Christian David 2017 6’7 Guard/Forward
La Lumiere
Brandon Cyrus | 2016 | 6’4 | Shooting Guard (DePaul Commit)
DeMatha Catholic
Nate Darling | 2016 | 6’3 | Shooting Guard (UAB Commit)
High Point Christian
Amidou Bamba | 2016 | 6’7 | Power Forward (Coastal Carolina Commit)
Athlete Institute
Nikola Djogo | 2016 | 6’7 | Guard (Notre Dame Commit)
Cole Long | 2016 | 6’7 | Forward (UMBC Commit)
AI took an L yesterday against a typically loaded Findlay Prep Pilots. For the first half, Thon Maker kept it even and carried the load for Athlete Institute, but it got to heavy to take care of on his own.
Maker finished with 16 points, 8 rebound and a ridiculous 10 blocks in this contest. He did it all.
He will need more help from Djogo and the overall guard play to take better care of the ball.
Findlay got a great output from 2017 do it all PG Markus Howard who ended up with 25 points on a 50% night from the field.
Orangeville Prep
Highly anticipated by coaches, scouts and fans alike. There is a buzz building around Ignas Brazdeikis, a 2018 wing who has made great strides over the course of this season.
Of course this roster is loaded and there can be something said about a majority of the roster but they have yet to take the court at Hoop Hall.
Today, they meet against Montverde’s Prep team in the final game of the night at 9:30.
