R.J. Barrett (Canada) 38 Pts, 13 Rebs, 5 Ast

(3-27-18) Wednesday night in Atlanta the McDonald’s All-American game will feature Canadian star R.J. Barrett (Duke commit) at  6’7  he is ranked by ESPN as the top small forward in the nation (and Canada) and top overall player. Barrett was named this year’s Morgan Wootten Player of the Year, joining past  honorees including Lonzo Ball (2016), Ben Simmons (2015), Jabari Parker (2013), Kevin Love (2007), LeBron James (2003), Jay Williams (1999) and Shane Battier (1997).

mcd rosters

Tha Canadian star played for Montverde (Fla) Academy who went undefeated and was ranked by many this season as the #1 team in the US.  Right after participating in Atlanta he will join his teammates at the GEICO National Championships in New York and their match-up with Lone Peak (Utah).

The revolution of Canadian high school basketball continues to grow. Barrett led the Canadians to a FIBA U19 World Cup title last season beating the US, leading the Canadians with 38 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

How serious is Canada about high school basketball? Very serious!

John Celenza, CEO of BioSteel Sports

‘BioSteel is committed to growing the game of basketball in Canada and we created this game as a platform to celebrate talent we have across our country.’

On April 8th, the Canadians will hold an all-star event modeled after the McDonald’s game, the BioSteel All Canadian Game will be held on Sunday April 8th. The only piece missing will be Barrett who could not attend due to a prior commitment. Five of the 21 All-Canadians who will play in the game  played in the States this past season for American prep schools.

2018 BioSteel All Canadian Game Roster

First Name 	Last Name 	School
Jaden 		Bediako 	Ridley College (Ont)
Joel 		Brown 		Brewster Academy (NH)
Luguentz 	Dort 		Athlete Institute Prep (Ont)
Kaosi 		Ezeagu 		GTA Prep (Ont.)
Junior 		Farquhar 	Orangeville Prep (Ont)
Quincy 		Guerrier 	Thetford Academy (Que)
Josh 		Hemmings 	Oak Hill (VA)
Ben 		Hendriks 	Athlete Institute (Ont)
Jashon 		Henry 		Notre Dame (Sask)
Jonathan 	Kabongo 	Thornhlea SS (Ont)
Noah 		Kirkwood 	TRC Academy (Ont)
Emanuel 	Miller 		La Lumiere (IN)
Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe 	Orangeville Prep (Ont)
Cashius 	McNielly 	Huntington Prep (VA)
Addison 	Patterson 	Athlete Institute Prep (Ont)
Daniel 		Sackey 		Thornlea SS (Ont)
Luka 		Sakota 		King’s Christian Collegiate (Ont)
Tyrese 		Samuels 	Wasatch (UT)
Keshaun 	Saunders 	Orangeville Prep (Ont)
Miguel 		Tomley 		Tamanwis (BC)
Antoine 	Vernon 		TRC Academy (Ont)

The caliber of talent north of the border continues to impress.

Added this year thanks to ESPN will be the Signature All-Canadian Showcase — a  high school All-Star event to be held in Toronto on April 23, Barrett will play in this game.

Organizer Dwayne Washington told ESPN:

“As Canadian basketball continues to expand and the talent is increasing, just like the U.S., the athletes deserve another game. Not everyone gets into the other game [BioSteel], and the timing can make it difficult.

 

Tabenacle's Desmond Butler
Tabernacle Baptist’s Desmond Butler

High school basketball continues to grow outside of the US, including island-neighbor the Bahamas who are holding their national championships this week. The quality of talent is impressive and much like Canada players are starting to trickle into the States during the high school season.

The way high school basketball continues to grow out of the borders of the US, don’t be surprised to the level expand into international high school championships.

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