Team will compete in U18 FIBA Americas in Valdivia, Chile
TORONTO, ON (July 14, 2016) – Canada Basketball is pleased to announce the 2016 U18 men’s national team. The 12-man squad will compete at the U18 FIBA Americas in Valdivia, Chile and will look to qualify for the 2017 U19 World Championships.
“We’re pleased with the passion and commitment that this group of young men brought to camp and we look forward to representing Canada in Chile,” said Roy Rana, head coach.
The squad will complete training camp tomorrow at Humber College in Toronto and head to Valdivia to represent Canada at the 2016 U18 FIBA Americas from July 19th-July 23.
Rana (Ryerson University) will be joined by assistants Jamie McNeilly (Virginia Tech), Kirby Schepp (University of Manitoba), Craig Beaucamp (University of Victoria) and mentor coach, Steve Konchalski (St. Francis Xavier University).
In 2015, the U19 team placed 5th at the U19 FIBA World Championships – the programs best-ever finish. Canada is currently ranked 3rd worldwide in the FIBA youth men rankings.
A full list of athletes and coaches can be found below. For media requests, please contact bwilliams@basketball.ca.
2016 U18 MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
| NAME | POSITION | HEIGHT | HOMETOWN | CLUB/SCHOOL |
| Jaden Bediako | F | 6’11 | Brampton, ON | St. Marcellinus |
| O’Shae Brissett | F | 6’8 | Pickering, ON | Findlay Prep |
| Nate Darling | G | 6’3 | Halifax, NS | DeMatha Catholic |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | G | 6’5 | Hamilton, ON | Hamilton Heights Christian |
| Jahvon Henry-Blair | G | 6’3 | Brampton, ON | Orangeville Prep |
| Jordan Henry | G | 5’9 | Pickering, Ontario | Pine Ridge High School |
| Abu Kigab | F | 6’6 | St. Catharine, ON | Prolific Prep |
| Grant Shephard | F | 6’9 | Kelowna, BC | Kelowna SS |
| Josip Vrankic | F | 6’8 | Etobicoke, ON | Wasatch Academy |
| James Wagner | F | 6’7 | Winnipeg, MB | John Taylor Collegiate |
| Nickeil Walker | G | 6’6 | Scarborough, ON | Hamilton Heights Christian |
| Lindell Wigginton | G | 6’3 | Dartmouth, NS | Oak Hill Academy |
| NAME | POSITION | HOMETOWN | TEAM/CLUB |
| Roy Rana | Head Coach | Toronto, ON | Ryerson University |
| Jamie McNeilly | Assistant Coach | Toronto, ON | Virginia Tech University |
| Kirby Schepp | Assistant Coach | Winnipeg, MB | University of Manitoba |
| Craig Beaucamp | Assistant Coach | Burnaby, BC | University of Victoria |
| Krisjon Vargas | Therapist | Toronto, ON | Canada Basketball |
| James DePoe | Manager | Toronto, ON | Humber College |
| Ian Cohen | Doctor | Toronto, ON | University of Toronto |
| DATE | ITEM | LOCATION |
| July 15th – 18th, 2016 | Training | Valdivia, Chile |
| July 19th, 2016 | Vs. Argentina | U18 FIBA Americas, Valdivia, Chile |
| July 20th, 2016 | Vs. Dominican Republic | |
| July 21st, 2016 | Vs. Brazil | |
| July 22nd, 2016 | Semi-Finals | |
| July 23rd, 2016 | Finals |
Courtesy Canada Basketball
Drew Ebanks
