HoopDome Interview with Stefan Nastic just before heading to Stanford for CROWN.

Working at HoopDome has it's perks as I got a chance to speak to Stefan Nastic just before departing for the sunny climes of California . He was doing two-a-days at the Dome...in the morning he was working on skill development and in the evening he was improving his cardio/fitness levels.
Nastic is pumped about heading to Stanford and talked about his ascent in the Canadian high school scene and all the work he put into his game. He also discussed his summer ball playing for Serbia's U-18 squad at the Euros where unfortunately his squad was knocked out of going to the finals by Lithuania in the semis. Serbia was up 13 with just over 5 minutes to go but wasn't able to pull out the victory as Lithuania won it 67-66 in an amazing game...actually Stefan said it was the best game he's ever played in!
Despite the loss and his team also losing the Bronze medal game to finish 4th, Nastic saw the value in playing for his country and leaving everything on the floor at the end of it all.
His positive attitude and energy will be contagious for the Cardinal this fall and he will no doubt be a coach and fan favourite!

Check out my in depth interview below...

Erie Bayhawks to hold tryouts in Toronto!

Calling all ballers. The Erie Bayhawks...the D-League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA is holding free-agent tryouts on Saturday October 2nd and Sunday October 3rd!
Go to http://www.eriebayhawks.com/ for more information. There is a $150 registration fee for applications received by  October 1st($175 after) but if you make the squad who cares about that small cash outlay!
Check out the application form at http://www.nba.com/dleague/erie/media/BayHawks_Tryout_Information_TORONTO.pdf
Should be an interesting turnout...and maybe a Toronto baller can make the squad!
Heck...maybe I'll try out for the team,
"Starting at PG, a 6'0" Toronto native out of York University, Drew Ebanks"
Well maybe not...only in my dreams!

All-Canada Classic Interview with Myck Kabongo for CROWN.

Myck Kabongo is a point guard. Myck Kabongo is rated the 2nd best point guard by most scouting services in the 2011 class. Myck Kabongo is a very confident young man who speaks well and plays the game of basketball pretty well too.
He's the point guard of the future. He's got great handles and penetrates defences with ease due to his quickness and creativity with the ball in his hands! Kabongo is part of an amazing group of point guards coming up for Canada that will no doubt be erasing the memory of a dismal Canadian finish at the World's by our Senior Men's national team. Canada is ready to take it up a notch and Kabongo will lead the way.
The Texas commit will be ballin' this fall at Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, Nevada where he will be joined by fellow Canadians Anthony Bennett and Naz Long! Coming off back to back National titles while being led by Canadians Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, Kabongo and the his squad know that a three-peat will be the only outcome worth talking about at Findlay. Canadian ballers seem to gravitate to the highly regarded prep school so it will be interesting to see which Canadians will be suiting up for them in the future.

Crown was there to cover Kabongo and some other outstanding Canadian ballers at the 2010 Flight Games...HERE's the scoop.

I also got a chance for a nice sit down chat with the future Longhorn after the All-Canada Classic...

All-Canada Classic Interview with Stefan Nastic for CROWN.

As you read this Stefan Nastic is down at Stanford University getting ready for his freshman season at the California school.
He was outstanding at the high school level playing for Thornhill Secondary in York region. The competition he will face in the next few months will be miles above that in the high school ranks here in Canada. Nastic comes from a great family and his mother and father have molded an exceptional young man who I think will excel both academically and athletically. Crown had THIS story about his decision to attend Stanford and hoop it up for the Cardinal!

After the All-Canada Classic Nastic was kind enough to speak to me for this interview...

All-Canada Classic Interview with Kyle Wiltjer for CROWN.

Kyle Wiltjer is American...Kyle Wiltjer is a very good basketball player...but Kyle Wiltjer plays his national basketball for team Canada because his father Greg is Canadian.Kyle Wiltjer will also be attending The University of Kentucky this fall for coach John Calipari in the fall of 2011! Wiltjer, who only announced his decision a short while ago, has a complete post game...and an ability to spot up from mid range and hit from beyond the three point line. He's not overly athletic but is fundamentally sound and has a craftiness to his game that belies his young age! He attends school currently in Oregon for Jesuit in Portland.

HERE is Crown's announcement about his decision to join the Wildcats...
Wiltjer's game is on the rise and I had a chance to speak to him at the All Canada Classic...