Canada’s Most Underrated 2025’s
Owen Kenney / 6’7 Forward / Orangeville Prep
Kenney has been one of Canada’s most consistent stock-risers in the Class of 2025. He showcased his impressive skill set throughout Sr. CNIT winning the Grade 11 Championship and MVP, all while averaging 20 PPG. He was also recently selected to represent Ontario’s U17’s at next week’s Canadian National Tournament in Montreal. Kenney is a versatile forward equipped with guard-like skills that allow him to score at an elite level. At 6’7, with his fluidity and prowess on both ends of the floor, there isn’t many that can stop Kenney. On O, he’s an efficient three-point shooter who can also put the ball on the floor to drive or pull-up from the mid-range. On D, his length and quickness combine to deem him a multi-positional defender capable of stopping smaller guards as well as larger forwards. As member of Orangeville Prep, Kenney will only continue to impress and rise up the rankings.
Isaiah Spencer / 6’3 Guard / PEDSDMD Elite
Spencer has been deemed by many as a ‘mid-range menace’ due to his ability to elevate and score from the mid-range. He’s a quick and crafty ball-handler who knows exactly how to break down defenders and score using his large repertoire of moves. Outside of his mid-range scoring, Spencer is able to score from behind the arc, and also finish strong on the interior through contact. On the defensive end, his quickness combined with his length and defensive anticipation allow him to pick the pockets of opposing guards to run in transition. He also closes out well to prevent his matchups from scoring over him. Spencer was recently selected to represent Canada at the NCAA College Basketball Academy event this coming weekend.
Gurdeep Kalsi / 6’6 Forward / Waterloo Wolverines
Kalsi is another player who’s risen up the NPH rankings throughout this past year. During the 2023 Spring/Summer NPH Showcase, Kalsi averaged 25.3 PPG & 8.3 on 60% shooting from the floor and lead the Waterloo Wolverines to a Silver Medal finish. Kalsi has a strong physique allowing him to play a bully-ball style of basketball on both ends. On defence his agility and toughness help him protect the rim. On offence, he’s equipped with a soft touch around the rim as well which helps him excel as a finisher around the rim. Kalsi is a more than capable ball-handler who has the IQ to beat defenders and attack aggressively to finish through contact. Overall, Gurdeep is a high-IQ player both and on off the basketball court. He knows what he excels at and uses it to exploit defences and score with ease. Many post-secondary programs including Yale, Columbia, and Brown have shown interest in the 6’6 Forward.
Isaiah Graham-Roache / 6’6 Forward / Dawson College
Graham-Roache fits the NBA’s current-wing mould. He’s an elite three-point shooter, as well as an elite defender. At 6’6, his lengthy frame and lateral quicks allow him to to lockdown smaller guard’s on the perimeter by picking their pockets or just acting as a wall they cannot evade. In addition to these traits, Isaiah’s strength and toughness allow him to keep larger forwards away from the hoop and prevent them from scoring by disrupting or blocking shots. On offence, Roache is an elite three-point shooter off the dribble and off the catch. He can also play out of the post as a result of his strength and aggressive play-style. As mentioned earlier, Isaiah is a three-and-D+ type of player. He can score and defend, both at a highly efficient level. Bright future ahead for one of Quebec’s best!
Robin Benipal / 6’6 Guard / Khalsa Secondary
Benipal is a versatile 6’6 sg who can score from anywhere on the floor. He is an elite three-point shooter both off the dribble, and off the catch. He has a quick & consistent release allowing him to be a reliable shooter whenever his team needs him. Robin can also put the ball on the floor and attack the rim to finish strong over top defenders. Despite having a wirey frame, Benipal is a tough basketball player on both ends. He is also a smart passer and knows which plays to make to ensure the success of his team. He is a reliable secondary playmaker when needed. Benipal will continue to impress and dominate the BC basketball landscape!
Hayden Johns / 6’6 Guard / Kitchener Impact
At 6’6, Hayden Johns is a reliable scorer, passer, and defender. As a scorer, he is able to put the ball in hoop using a multitude of basketball moves and does so from all over the floor. He is an elite three-level scorer and has shown has abilities countless times with Northern Kings and Kitchener Impact. Whether it’s three-point territory, mid-range, or on the interior, Johns can be relied upon to provide buckets for his team. As a facilitator, Hayden is constantly looking to make the best play possible and set his teammates up to score. Finally, as a defender, Hayden is a pesky on the perimeter and makes it difficult for opposing guards to get past him. Johns is a highly impactful guard on both ends, I look forward to him taking another step next season and gain the recognition he deserves.
