(Longueuil) In a speech reminiscent of a Spider-Man maxim, the FIBA Americas General Manager spoke about what comes with the distinction, while a Basketball Without Borders camp is being held in Longueuil, organized by the NBA and FIBA .
“You are a select group that deserved to be here, said Carlos Alves, to about sixty young athletes. You have a very special talent. »
“With this comes a responsibility: to put everything on the table, to give everything you have. Basketball is a difficult sport. Keep dreaming and dream big: that’s what gives it all meaning. »
Already making good progress, the Quebec web in the NBA grew a little more on Friday: Olivier-Maxence Prosper was drafted 24e by the Kings, who then traded him to Dallas.
PHOTO JOHN MINCHILLO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Olivier-Maxence Prosper poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
From Thursday to Sunday, Cégep Édouard-Montpetit welcomes some sixty young people born in 2006, among the best male and female players from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Among the instructors, three sources of inspiration: a trio of Quebec players in the NBA in Chris Boucher from the Raptors, Luguentz Dort from the Thunder and Bennedict Mathurin from the Pacers.
At this 12e BSF Americas camp, the other coaches are assistants in the NBA: Eric Khoury (Raptors), Rodney Billups (Blazers), Joe Boylan (Timberwolves), Quinton Crawford (Mavericks), Bruce Fraser (Warriors) and Jay Hernandez (Nets) .
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Luguentz Dort
It feels good to be here. It’s motivating. I want to show young people that I’ve been there and that they too can do it.
Luguentz Dort
“O-Max is another proof of all the talent that there is in Quebec, added Dort, about the new member of the brotherhood.
“I am very happy for him. It is very versatile. He has a lot of energy, he can block shots, he knows where to place himself in attack. »
“It’s very special to see that there are a lot of guys from the Montreal area in the NBA,” said Boucher.
“I trained a few times with Olivier-Maxence. Its potential is unlimited. The important thing is to focus on the right things. »
He and Dort reminded that for these young people at camp these days, you have to realize that the road will be bumpy.
PHOTO CARLOS OSORIO, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
chris butcher
“They have to understand that there are ups and downs for everyone,” Boucher said. They must also believe that by working hard and keeping the same energy, they can achieve their goal. They must continue to dream, persevere and follow the steps. »
“It’s not going to be easy and everyone is going to have their own path,” Dort added. The key is to always work hard and believe in it. »
Boucher and Dort are undrafted players who came through the G League before earning their way into the NBA.
“It took me a while to realize how lucky I am,” Boucher said. It’s not easy and not everyone is going to make it to the NBA.
“It took me a long time before I was able to appreciate each moment and find pleasure in it, as it is the case for me now. You never know when it might stop. »
The Raptors are starting a new chapter with Serbian coach Darko Rajakovic, hired on June 13 to replace Nick Nurse, who was fired in April.
“He’s going to put a new system in place,” Boucher said. He is very enthusiastic and you can see that he is a ‘players’ coach, he really wants us to improve.
“Everything I’ve heard about him is positive. He is dedicated and he comes from a good system. »
“Last year we had some dips and it was a bit difficult to come back up,” said Boucher. It’s going to be a fresh start. »
“Several facets of my game are starting to come out more; the game gets a bit slower. It comes with experience. »
Boucher led Toronto with 10 offensive fouls drawn last season.
In November, he rode a six-game streak averaging 18 points per game.
As of Feb. 28, he had a 37% success rate for three-pointers.
The leaders also note the skills of Quebec players.
“There is a lot of talent in Montreal and Quebec,” adds NBA assistant vice-president Chris Ebersole, responsible for international basketball operations and elite development.
Involved in BSF for 10 years, Ebersole has seen several young people progress to the NBA such as Dort, Mathurin, Prosper, Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“It was immediately obvious that they have great talent, but it’s difficult to make predictions at that age,” said the American manager, who speaks excellent French.
“The camp can be a measuring stick, but you never know which ones will continue to really improve. »
A total of 38 former BSF participants were part of an NBA club at the start of the recently concluded season.
Originally from Montreal North, Dort and Mathurin took part in the BSF world camp in 2017 and 2020, respectively.
Ontarians Murray and Gilgeous-Alexander were there in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Prosper, from Rosemère, took part in the 2020 world camp.
Murray helped the Nuggets win the NBA championship this year. Gilgeous-Alexander plays alongside Dort with OKC.
BSF is the global development program of the NBA and FIBA.
Last year, the Americas camp was presented at the NBA Academy of Latin America complex in Mexico.
Since 2001, the program has welcomed more than 4,000 participants from 135 countries and territories.
A total of 106 former participants advanced to the NBA or WNBA.
The NBA and FIBA have organized 68 BSF camps in 45 cities, spread over 32 countries.