National Supremacy Awaits: Everything & Everyone You Need To Know Prior To The 7th Annual Canadian National Invitational Tournament
The CNIT begins this Thursday July 6th. Canada’s National Tournament with a rich history known for hosting top Canadian Basketball talent since its inception in 2015. Tournament Alumni include Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Caleb Houstan, Dalano Banton, Eugene Omoruyi, AJ Lawson, just to name a few.
Like all NPH Sanctioned Events there’s an emphasis on player/club exposure through our scouting service with the goal of creating scholarship opportunities for Canadian student-athletes. With the CNIT, there’s all that plus more. The focus is to provide a high level basketball experience for clubs and players from every Canadian Province. Here we get to see what every region in the country is about. It’s always interesting to watch how each Province is represented on the basketball court and where the most talent is coming from.
Whether it was Tyrese Samuel’s Tracy Mcgrady-esque late-game scoring burst, or Okay Djamgouz breaking out onto the scene & earning multiple Division 1 offers, the moments & memories have been epic to say the least.
After going around the horn and speaking to some of the Coaches, here’s what they had to tell me regarding which players to look out for.
Quebec’s CEGEP St. Foy Dynamiques U19
Representing Quebec City, Coach Vincent Plante gave me a lot of solid intel on who he expects to have strong showings.
Zaki-Olivier Ben Ameur, 5’11’’ PG, 2024
“Best 3pts shooter in Cegep this past season, solid PG with a quick first step, good on-ball defender”
Roi Angat, 5’11’’ G, 2024
“Small bulky guard, 3 level scorer”
Vince Fouda Tankieu, 6’5’’ F, 2026
“Smart active defender, natural off rebounder and good touch around the basket.”
Thomas Laliberté-Bryson, 6’3’’ G, 2026
“Excellent defender with size, good mid range game and finishing ability at the rim.”
Nova Scotia Provincial Team U17
If Atlantic Canada is known for something other than delicious seafood, it’s producing highly skilled guards. Think Lindell Wigginton, Nate Darling, Kellen Tynes.
One of the first things Coach Dan Higgins told me is, they’ve got some really good guards.
Zhy Downey, 5’10” PG, 2025
“Quick floor general. Shoots it, gets to the rim, high level playmaker.”
Jude Cameron, 6’0” G, 2025
“High School Champion, someone you absolutely can’t leave open”
Greg Dorsey, 6’9” F/C, 2025
“Monster around the rim and on defence with his size and strength. Currently playing for Rothesay Netherwood School in New Brunswick.”
London’s Strive Hoops U17
This is a team I’ve gotten a chance to watch closely in the NPHShowcase League. Representing London, Ontario, we knew we had to extend the invitation to this club. Coached by Honorio Lopez and led by a team of tough, dynamic, skilled guards who are exciting to watch.
[pictured left-right: Nishayne Sharpe, Alex Facey, Isaac Lopez]
Nishayne Sharpe, 5’10” CG, 2026
The younger brother of upcoming NBA star Shaedon Sharpe, younger brother Nishayne will easily be one of the best perimeter shooters in the whole Tournament. He’ll be playing up a division, but surely it won’t affect his production.
Alex Facey, 5’11” G, 2025
Alex is as solid as a guard you’ll find. High level competitor, facilitator, and a crafty scoring touch.
Isaac Lopez, 5’11” PG, 2025
Isaac is as tough as they come. Along with teammate Nishayne he’s one of the premier marksmen in this Tournament. Extremely skilled, have seen him rattle off multiple 30 balls. Finishes over bigger defenders either with the floater or kissing it off the glass with either hand. Doesn’t mind playing through contact, uses his body well to draw fouls. A PG Canadian Universities need to be all over from now.
The Grade 9 Division might have some of the most exciting matchups
From the Newfoundland Provincial Team coached by Canada Basketball Legend Carl English, to Grade 9 NPH League Champs Cadougan Elite, also coached by Canada Basketball Legend Junior Cadougan who funny enough, is very close with fellow coach Carl English, to the Guelph Knights who went undefeated in all competitions for a good stretch. This division will produce some of the best ball in the Tournament
Championship Sunday will be livestreamed on Northpolehoops Youtube for each division’s championship game. So if you aren’t able to make it in person, you can follow along from wherever you are.
Who Will Hoist The National Crown?
