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Naismith Notes: Canada well represented in Utah during NBA's All-Star Weekend
Canada was well represented in Salt Lake City, Utah this past weekend as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard and Leonard Miller participated in 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend. Mathurin, Nembhard and Miller all appeared in the Jordan Rising Stars game while Gilgeous-Alexander was a first-time All-Star, appearing in Sunday’s star-studded marquee event.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝙄𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩, 𝙣𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩 🥶 <a href="https://t.co/jDMxtM3815">pic.twitter.com/jDMxtM3815</a></p>— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1627456624880242691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Gilgeous-Alexander played for Team Giannis who went on to defeat Team LeBron 184-175. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard played 10 minutes in his first All-Star game, finishing with nine points, seven assists and two rebounds while shooting 4-for-5 from the floor and 1-for-1 from beyond the arc.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First All-Star Game in the books! 🎬<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAAllStar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAAllStar</a><a href="https://t.co/hJKa1t39op">pic.twitter.com/hJKa1t39op</a></p>— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1627523011606904834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Off the court, Canadian fans will be happy to hear Gilgeous-Alexander speak about this year’s upcoming FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SGA talks his excitement about playing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in the Philippines later this year.<br><br>More from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAAllStarMediaDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAAllStarMediaDay</a> presented by <a href="https://twitter.com/ATT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ATT</a> on the NBA App!<br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/kZ7DBZ02WA">https://t.co/kZ7DBZ02WA</a><a href="https://t.co/8AZCeMYpYt">pic.twitter.com/8AZCeMYpYt</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1627055639175528448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Indiana Pacers teammates Mathurin and Nembhard were teammates once again in the Jordan Rising Stars event as both played for Team Pau [Gasol], the team that ended up winning it all thanks to a game-winner from New Orleans Pelicans sophomore Jose Alvarado.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Blessed. Who would have thought you know, me growing up, that I would be in Salt Lake City right now.”<br><br>Bennedict Mathurin talks about what it means to be an NBA Rising Star his rookie year.💫 <a href="https://t.co/lL6eIU5ECh">pic.twitter.com/lL6eIU5ECh</a></p>— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1626744041512611840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Leonard Miller played for Team Jason [Terry] and finished with four points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal in Team Jason’s semifinal loss to Team Joakim.
Mathurin scored seven points to go with two rebounds and an assist, while Nembhard had two points, two assists, a steal and a block in Team Pau’s 40-25 semifinal win over Team Deron [Williams]. In the final, Mathurin scored a team-high seven points.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">👀👀👀<a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewNembhard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AndrewNembhard</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JordanRisingStars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JordanRisingStars</a><a href="https://t.co/nTUWwjzMUl">https://t.co/nTUWwjzMUl</a><a href="https://t.co/KHfZi01fkp">pic.twitter.com/KHfZi01fkp</a></p>— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1626771600543567872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Miller also played in the All-Star G League Next Up Game, playing for Team Scoot [Henderson]. He finished with 19 points and eight rebounds going up against the best players in the G League.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">big plays 😤 <a href="https://twitter.com/LeonardMi11er?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LeonardMi11er</a> had a stellar performance finishing with 19 PTS and 8 REB during the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GLeagueNextUpGame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GLeagueNextUpGame</a> during <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAAllStar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAAllStar</a>! ⭐️ <a href="https://t.co/13ZIe6M332">pic.twitter.com/13ZIe6M332</a></p>— NBA G League Ignite (@gleagueignite) <a href="https://twitter.com/gleagueignite/status/1627463335750041600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The next generation was well represented in Utah as well. Montreal’s Felix Kossaras, Toronto’s Christian Nitu, and Leduc’s Hudson Ward participated in the 2023 Basketball Without Borders Camp, as Kossaras walked away with the three-point shooting title.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Canadians showed out at Basketball Without Borders 2023! Congrats to Felix Kossaras who won the 3 point competition! 🇨🇦🏀👌🏻 <a href="https://t.co/QeQOUDMHnh">pic.twitter.com/QeQOUDMHnh</a></p>— Wes Brown (@wesblairbrown) <a href="https://twitter.com/wesblairbrown/status/1627393187479158787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Melvin Ejim is a Copa del Rey de Baloncesto Champion. Unicaja Malaga defeated defending champion FC Barcelona Basquet in the quarterfinal before going on to defeat Real Madrid in the semifinal and then Lenovo Tenerife, 83-80 in the final.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🏆 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CopaACB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CopaACB</a><br><br>| <a href="https://twitter.com/unicajaCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@unicajaCB</a><a href="https://t.co/synr8K0PFF">pic.twitter.com/synr8K0PFF</a></p>— Liga Endesa (@ACBCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBCOM/status/1627403405453926401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Nirra Fields signed a training camp contract with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun this week. The 29-year-old last represented Canada in the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Australia where she helped Canada to a fourth-place finish. “Nirra Fields is a dynamic player we have watched continue to grow her game and become a two-way threat,” Sun general manager Darius Taylor said in a press release. “She played extremely well in the World Cup in Australia and is someone we’re excited to give an opportunity to play in our league.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/0NCGGXFvf0">https://t.co/0NCGGXFvf0</a><a href="https://t.co/yMqEUrkQFY">pic.twitter.com/yMqEUrkQFY</a></p>— Connecticut Sun PR (@CTSunPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/CTSunPR/status/1626612971039256578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Shaina Pellington exploded for 35 points in an 82-72 win for No. 18 Arizona victory over No. 4 Utah this last Friday. She shot 13-for-18 from the floor in 34 minutes of action while adding eight rebounds and five steals.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 UPSET ALERT 🚨<br><br>Shaina Pellington's career-high 35 points propel No. 18 <a href="https://twitter.com/ArizonaWBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArizonaWBB</a> past No. 4 Utah! <a href="https://t.co/KfiIACvXMw">pic.twitter.com/KfiIACvXMw</a></p>— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Network/status/1626802443240767488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Pickering, Ontario native earned ESPN’s Player of the Week honours for her stellar play this past week where she averaged 27 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals, while shooting 68 percent from the floor.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shaina Pellington has been named <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPN_WomenHoop?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPN_WomenHoop</a>’s Player of the Week.<a href="https://twitter.com/Shainap_14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Shainap_14</a> averaged 27 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3 steals per game, while shooting 67.7% from the field on the weekend. <a href="https://t.co/SnaLJryyOX">https://t.co/SnaLJryyOX</a><a href="https://t.co/nRsK8MxM3V">pic.twitter.com/nRsK8MxM3V</a></p>— AZ Band Cat Sports (@AZBandCatSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/AZBandCatSports/status/1627731784032190465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- It was also a huge week for Texas Longhorns guard Marcus Carr who became Canada’s all-time Men’s NCAA Division I points and assists leader. The fifth-year Toronto native passed Juan Mendez (2210 points) and Andrew Nembhard (691 assists) to take first-place in both categories. Carr has also been the Big 12 scoring leader for the month of February.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇨🇦🍁 Marcus Carr, Canada’s all-time <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCAA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCAA</a> points & assists leader 👑👏<br><br>➡️🏀⬇️ Read more: <a href="https://t.co/wb2hSwOYEW">https://t.co/wb2hSwOYEW</a><br><br>Texas Longhorns guard Marcus Carr has surpassed Juan Mendez & Andrew Nembhard to become Canada’s all-time NCAA points & assists leader.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CollegeBasketball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CollegeBasketball</a><a href="https://t.co/6IaMcSnRV8">pic.twitter.com/6IaMcSnRV8</a></p>— BasketballBuzz.ca 🇨🇦🏀🍁 (@basketballbuzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/basketballbuzz/status/1628840184941772800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Thomas Kennedy became the Windsor Lancers all-time scoring leader after dropping 16 points against the Guelph Gryphons. Kennedy participated in last summer’s GLOBL Jam and then made his Senior Men’s National Team debut at the 2022 FIBA Men’s AmeriCup 2022. He most recently represented Canada in the fifth window of the FIBA 2023 Men’s World Cup Qualifiers. In addition to playing for Canada and the Lancers, Kennedy has also played in the CEBL and was named the CEBL U Sports Player of the Year last summer.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Congratulations to Thomas Kennedy (<a href="https://twitter.com/Tjk35Thomas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tjk35Thomas</a>) on becoming the Windsor Lancers Men's Basketball program's All Time Scoring Leader! With 16 PTS in tonight's performance vs the Guelph Gryphons, Kennedy passes Enrico Diloreto with 1479 career regular season points <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WindsorProud?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WindsorProud</a><a href="https://t.co/Gwnm95zxZD">pic.twitter.com/Gwnm95zxZD</a></p>— Windsor Lancers Basketball (@WindsorMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/WindsorMBB/status/1627149025492320257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
- Team Canada legend Kim Gaucher will be honored in the Pac-12’s first ever all-female class into the Conference’s Hall of Honor in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Already a member of the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame, Gaucher is the Utes’ all-time leading scorer, leading the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Gaucher was a nine-year captain of the Canadian Senior Women’s National Team and has represented Canada in three Olympics.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What an amazing career <a href="https://twitter.com/8kimsmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@8kimsmith</a> had at the <a href="https://twitter.com/UUtah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UUtah</a>!!<br><br>She embodied excellence on and off the court and we are thrilled to see her honored by the <a href="https://twitter.com/pac12?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pac12</a> in this year's Hall of Honor ceremony!<a href="https://twitter.com/UTAHWBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UtahWBB</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoUtes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoUtes</a><a href="https://t.co/grPO5awusS">pic.twitter.com/grPO5awusS</a></p>— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/utahathletics/status/1628825744368615425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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