What’s To Expect In NPH D1 League
NDL (Montreal) – Quebec’s Next Generation is Here
After a strong debut in the NPH D1 last season, NDL out of Montreal is back with some of the top young talent in Quebec.
While many programs are searching for their identity, NDL has already found theirs: develop elite young players, compete at the highest level, and grow through structure and reps. With a 2028 core already producing and poised to break out, NDL is not waiting for the future—they’re playing it right now.
Young Core, Big Upside
The strength of this year’s NDL squad lies in its 2028 class, which already features players who have proven themselves at both the provincial and national level. The development curve is steep, but so is the potential.
Key Players to Watch
Kefa Irakoze | 6’4’’ Guard/Wing | Class of 2028
A crafty, explosive offensive weapon, Kefa Irakoze is the kind of player who thrives with the ball in his hands. He’s difficult to keep out of the paint, uses angles well, and has a natural feel for scoring. His ability to finish through contact and contribute on the glass makes him a matchup problem at the guard-wing spot.
Williams Wemeni | 6’7’’ Guard/Wing | Class of 2028
With his great length and smooth shooting stroke, Wemeni brings two-way versatility. He can stretch the floor with his range, but also uses his size and timing to impact shots around the rim defensively. As he continues to grow into his frame and gain reps at a high level, his ceiling is massive.
Joshua Muamba | 6’6’’ Forward/Post | Class of 2028
If you watched CNIT this summer, you already know Joshua Muamba. An elite rebounder, rim protector, and explosive leaper, Muamba is one of the most productive bigs in his class across the province. He plays with relentless energy, owns the glass, and is rapidly developing his face-up game.
NDL’s Outlook: Built from the Ground Up
NDL isn’t just assembling talent—they’re developing it year by year, building through a strong pipeline that includes a junior team now competing in the NPH D1 Junior Division. That structure gives them a major advantage: their players arrive prepared, confident, and ready to contribute.
Heading into 2025-26, expect NDL to surprise older teams, punch above their age, and make life difficult for anyone who takes them lightly.
Final Word
NDL is proving that Montreal’s basketball talent pool runs deep — and it’s getting younger and stronger every year.
With Irakoze, Wemeni, and Muamba leading the way, this team might be one of the most exciting young groups in the entire NPH D1. The future of Quebec hoops is in good hands — and it’s already making noise.
Prolific Sports Academy (Alberta) – Western Canada’s Rising Force
As they enter their third year of prep basketball, Prolific Sports Academy out of Calgary is no longer a newcomer — they’re a program with a plan, a pipeline, and a presence on both sides of the border.
Known for consistently testing themselves against top American competition, Prolific is carving out a unique identity in Canadian prep hoops: fast, fearless, and focused on long-term development.
A Program That Travels
Unlike many programs that focus strictly on in-country competition, Prolific’s top team plays a demanding U.S. schedule, regularly facing elite-level programs in prep circuits and exposure events south of the border. That experience gives their athletes a distinct edge — they’ve seen the speed, physicality, and pressure that comes with high-level basketball.
Alberta are reigning Champs at Canada Bball Nationals and have been producing talent for years.
Key Players to Watch
Wani John | 6’8 Wing | Class of 2029
A long, athletic forward with a huge ceiling, Wani John is one of the most intriguing young prospects in Western Canada. He plays with energy, defends multiple positions, and flashes upside as a modern hybrid forward who can handle, shoot, and slash.
Still only 2029, Wani is already producing — and projecting as a national name to know in his class.
Josh Maxence | 6’0 PG | Class of 2029
Maxence is a dynamic young guard with shiftiness, court vision, and confidence beyond his years. As he grows physically, his decision-making and pace make him a strong long-term point guard prospect. Expect him to make plays and push tempo as a lead guard in the coming years.
Dorian Ouaton | 6’1 Guard | Class of 2027
A combo guard with strength and scoring instincts, Ouaton brings toughness and experience to the backcourt. He can shoot it, attack off the bounce, and defend his position — a key two-way piece for Prolific this season.
Jordy Brown | PG | Class of 2027
Coming from B.C., Jordy Brown adds poise and pace at the point. He understands how to run a team, sets the tone defensively, and brings a high IQ to every possession. He’ll be vital in helping this young group stay organized against top-level competition.
Outlook: Proving Ground Season
Prolific Sports Academy is entering this season with a blend of youth, size, and experience. With a foundation of tough competition and a development-first philosophy, they’re set to make noise in the NPH D1 Academy league while continuing to test themselves in the U.S.
They may still be early in their journey as a program, but with the way they’re trending, Prolific is well on its way to becoming a perennial contender and a top destination in Western Canada for elite talent.
Keep your eyes on Prolific — they’re building something special in Calgary.
Central Canada Prep (Manitoba) – Building a Prairie Powerhouse
The Canadian basketball landscape continues to evolve, and in the heart of the Prairies, Central Canada Prep is quickly emerging as one of Manitoba’s premier programs. After a strong campaign last season that ended in a deep playoff run and saw several seniors graduate to the next level, Central Canada enters the 2025-26 NPH D1 Academy season with momentum and a reloaded roster.
A Program on the Rise
What began as a regional option for high-level talent in Manitoba has grown into a national contender. Central Canada’s commitment to high-performance training, academics, and exposure has attracted some of the province’s best young talent.
Key Players to Watch
Istvan Reid | 7’0 Center | Class of 2027
A true seven-footer with size, mobility, and a soft touch, Reid is the anchor for this Central Canada squad. He alters shots, controls the paint, and has the potential to dominate on both ends as he continues to grow into his frame.
Look for Reid to be a major mismatch problem throughout the season as he continues to refine his footwork, conditioning, and low-post game.
Liam Jaro | 6’0 Point Guard | Class of 2027
The floor general and heartbeat of the team, Jaro is a skilled, tough-nosed PG who competes on every possession.
His experience and poise will be crucial, especially with a younger core looking to find their rhythm early in the season.
Culture + Continuity = Dangerous
Their 2024 graduating class proved that the model works: develop players, compete nationally, and elevate them to post-secondary opportunities.
Now, the next wave is ready to take the baton.
Outlook for the 2025-26 Season
With Reid patrolling the paint, Jaro setting the table, and a coaching staff that understands how to develop and compete, Central Canada Prep is a serious sleeper team in the NPH D1 Academy circuit this season.
They’re big. They’re organized. And they’re hungry.
Keep an eye on Central Canada Prep as they continue their rise out of the Prairies and onto the national radar.
Ste. Cécile Academy (Windsor) NPH D1 Scholastic
As the 2025-26 NPH D1 Scholastic season tips off, all eyes are on one of the most intriguing new entries to the circuit: Ste. Cécile Academy out of Windsor, Ontario. Backed by a strong academic foundation and a growing sports culture, the private institution is set to make a serious statement in its first-ever year of Prep basketball competition.
Located in the heart of Windsor—a city traditionally known more for its hockey and football—Ste. Cécile is flipping the script. With a commitment to long-term development and high-performance culture, the school is leveraging its private school structure to create a holistic environment where student-athletes thrive both academically and athletically.
Leading the charge is Head Coach Greg Surmacz, a former pro who brings a wealth of playing experience and a strong developmental ethos.
Key Players to Watch
Sidiki Kromah | 6’2 Guard | Class of 2028
One of the most exciting young guards his class, Kromah led the NPH Showcase League in scoring two years in a row, cementing his status as a high-level offensive weapon. His advanced scoring ability, confidence with the ball, and competitive fire make him the engine of this young squad.
Matteo Rickets | 6’5 Wing | Class of 2028
Rickets brings versatility on the wing, he projects as a two-way threat who will only get better as the season progresses.
Taj Nalls | 6’0 PG | Class of 2028
The team’s floor general, Nalls is a cerebral point guard who plays beyond his years. He controls tempo, sees the floor exceptionally well, and makes his teammates better.
Anthony Pachinoski | 6’4 Wing | Class of 2029
Only a 2029, Pachinoski is a promising long-term prospect. With great size for his age and flashes of scoring touch, he’s a name to remember in the years ahead.
International Flavor Adds Depth
Ste. Cécile’s reach goes beyond Canadian borders. The roster includes several international talents from Latin America, reflecting the program’s growing global pipeline:
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Fernando Reyes Rios (2028 F, Mexico)
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Emmanuel Nava Hernandez (2027 G, Mexico)
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Emmanuel Pinzon Delgado (2028 G, Colombia)
The Road Ahead
While this may be Ste. Cécile’s inaugural season in Prep basketball, their approach is anything but inexperienced. With elite young talent, international prospects, and a strong coach leading the charge, the Windsor-based program is ready to establish itself as a serious player on the national stage.
Don’t be surprised if they pull off a few upsets and turn heads this year. But more importantly, this is a program built for the long game—investing in its players, setting a standard, and laying the groundwork for sustained success in the Canadian prep ecosystem.
