2009 Fullcourt Press Northern Exposure Camp Report
by Dinos Trigonis
(November 13, 2009)
This article also appears on-line at www.fullctpress.net.
The 3rd annual Fullcourt Press Northern Exposure Camp was held recently (November 7-8) at St. Mary’s High School in Calgary, Canada. This event featured about 50-plus high school players from Calgary and other areas of Alberta, Canada (including Edmonton) as well as players from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alaska and Spokane WA. The camp began with a terrific instruction/drills demonstration directed by John Hegwood (a former Gary IN native, University of San Francisco star and professional player now living in Calgary) and continued with several competitive rounds of games that showcased the underrated talent present.
Calgary has now topped the 1 million population mark and is one of North America’s most modern and diverse cities and there is no reason why this area can’t produce enough college-caliber players to warrant future recruiting attention at all levels - especially at a time when a past NBA MVP like Steve Nash (a Western Canada native) is a great source of inspiration. Recent players from this area of Canada that are high-major players include 6’9” James Johnson (Virginia signee), 7’2” Jordan Bachynski (Arizona State signee) and 6’0” Ryan Wetherell (USC). One of last year’s camp stars Okotoks AB native 6’7” Braeden Anderson has relocated to Christian Faith (Creedmoor NC) where he is now a re-classified junior and projects to be a mid-high major prospect.
The camp’s top 25 players were selected by me and were showcased in the “cream of the crop” game held at the conclusion of the event. Kyle Bailey and DeVon Booker were named co-MVPs of the Top 25 game.
Listed below are five players that stood out:
Kyle Bailey
Spokane, WA
6' 5"
2010 University
Confident off-guard has both size and an accurate outside shot that extends to the 3-point line. Bailey has an impressive court presence and ample athleticsm as well as plenty of court savvy. One of the most underrated D-I prospects in the Northwest, Kyle is a very good student and an underrated defender and shotblocker.
DeVon Booker
Anchorage, AK
6' 2"
2011 West
Booker is a very active combo-guard that is an impressive slasher to the basket as well as an improved outside shooter. This lefty is an outstanding defender, makes plays on both ends and has very good leadership abilities. One of the top sleeper 2011 lead guards on the West Coast.
Awet Abraha
2010 Bishop McNally (Calgary AB CAN)
6' 3"
Very improved outside shooter is also a quick slashing scorer. Awet is an aggressive defender and underrated rebounder.
John Hegwood
2012 Lord Beverbrook (Calgary AB CAN)
6' 3"
Young and talented wing is an emerging high-major prospect in this class. “LJ” has grown substantially over the past year and with his size 15 shoe, this soph looks like he is not done growing and could very well reach the 6’6” length of his dad John Sr. (a Gary IN native that played college ball at San Francisco and professionally in Calgary). Excellent student has an accurate perimeter stroke to go along with emerging athleticism (had several dunks at this camp) and his impressive basketball instincts (including pin-point passing ability) makes him a player worthy of high-major attention.
Dave Morrison
2012 Bishop McNally (Calgary AB CAN)
5' 9"
Quick and skilled playmaker has an excellent basketball IQ and the ability to impact the game despite his lack of great size for the PG position.
Other Top 25 Game players include:
Strahinja Kucinar
2011 Western Canada (Calgary AB CAN)
6' 5"
Dangerous 3-point shooter with improving all-around skills.
Strahinja Kucinar
2011 Western Canada (Calgary AB CAN)
5' 11"
Sharp-shooting point guard has a nice feel for the game.
Brett Bailey
2013 University (Spokane, WA)
6' 2"
Kyle’s younger brother is a skilled guard with an excellent perimeter stroke and a confident on-court swagger. Good student.
Joshua Jebose
2010 Notre Dame (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 6"
Athletic but raw forward is a “work in progress” but has real upside.
Joe Decimen
2012 Leboldus (Regina, SK CAN)
6' 3"
Athletic slashing scorer is an active wing worth paying attention to.
Edward Asamoah
2011 Bishop Grandin (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 5"
Long and athletic swingman is a very good defender.
Vish Banipal
2010 Pearson (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 1"
Strong combo-guard has range on his jump shot.
Edgar Ndayishimiye
2010 St. Mary's (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 2"
Streaky shooter can torch the nets when hot.
Abe Aden
2010 Notre Dame (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 3"
Excellent defender competes hard each time out.
Braden O’Toole
2010 Canmore Collegiate (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 5"
Hard-working forward has a nice mid-range game.
Ben Baker
2010 Bowman (Saskatoon, SK CAN)
6' 3"
Skilled wing works hard at both ends.
Jalen Gardener
2011 Bowness (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 1"
Athletic combo-guard is a pesky defender and improved outside shooter.
Matt Thygesen
2011 Lord Beaverbrook (Calgary, AB CAN)
6' 0"
Scrappy combo-guard can knock down perimeter shots.
Mitch Jones
2010 Luther College (Regina, SK CAN)
6' 6"
Physical rebounder and defender.
Other campers of note include 6’2” junior Jordan Jensen-Whyte (Western Canada/Calgary AB CAN), 6’4” soph Dallas Karch (Wisewood/Calgary AB CAN), 6’3” junior Payton Karch (Wisewood/Calgary AB CAN), 6’1” senior Andrew Henry (Luther College/Regina SK CAN), 6’5” senior Garrett Vermey (Springbank Community/Calgary AB CAN), 5’4” soph Matt Johnson (Lord Beaverbrook/ Calgary AB CAN), 6’4” senior Clinton Johnson (Spruce Grove Composite/Spruce Grove AB CAN), 6’3” junior John Traboulsi (Western Canada/Calgary AB CAN), 6’0” senior Depinder Singh (FFCA/Calgary AB CAN), 5’10” senior Ian Gott (Centennial/Calgary AB CAN), 6’6” soph Joe Sykes (Western Canada/Calgary AB CAN), 6’3” junior Chris Bojechko (St. Mary’s/Calgary AB CAN), 6’0” frosh Trent Joseph (Mt. Park/Calgary AB CAN), 6’0” soph Austin Still (Woodman/Calgary AB CAN), 6’0” junior Sawyer Brown (Bishop Grandin/ Calgary AB CAN), 6’2” soph Ryan Sandhu (Western Canada/Calgary AB CAN), 5’10” senior Jon Ross (Aberhart/ Calgary AB CAN), 5’11” senior Court Redekop (Bowness/Calgary AB CAN), 6’3” frosh Rawdon DePaiva (Branton JHS/Calgary AB CAN), 5’7” soph Sean Persaud (Western Canada/ Calgary AB CAN) and 6’0” senior Dennis King (Bearspaw Christian/Calgary AB CAN).
Special thanks go out to John Hegwood, Jackie Portsmouth, Derrick Joseph and the entire Calgary Elite and CYDC family for their great hospitality and for again making my trek to Calgary a worthwhile experience.
