Biosteel all-Canadian game returns after pandemic hiatus, a roadstop to the NBA for some players

The first time Raptors general manager Bobby Webster saw Rexdale’s Dalano Banton play was about four years ago at the University of Toronto in the Biosteel all-Canadian basketball game.

Banton remembers getting a text from his mentor while away from home in Massachusetts, playing prep school basketball. He was selected to play in the showcase involving the country’s best high school talent.

“At first, I didn’t make it. They added me in as a late addition. I don’t know how that happened,” said Banton. “Even to this day, I’m grateful for the game because the Raptors first time seeing me was at the Biosteel game.”

Canada’s next brightest basketball stars will be back inside the same gym for the first time in three years this weekend. Fifty of the best Canadian boys and girls high school prospects hope to make a name for themselves this weekend, just like Banton did.

“If Bobby Webster got a sneak peek at Dalano Banton at the Biosteel game then that’s exactly the intent. From there he’s got a career that can provide for his family for a long time,” said Jesse Tippins, executive director for the game. “If we were able to help, that’s huge.”

The three-day event returns after a hiatus due to the pandemic, but the planning and preparation to bring it back have been in the works for more than seven months. Tippings told the Star he was committed to bringing back the game this year “no matter what.”

“All the players that have played in it and who will play in it — earned the right to play in that game. They put in thousands of hours of work to get there, but the value of the game itself is growing,” said Tippings.

Every year, the showcase game welcomes about 30 NBA scouts, general managers and assistants, representing about 80 per cent of teams across the league. Some alumni of the Biosteel game include Canadian NBA stars Jamal Murray, R.J. Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gus Gymnopoulos, former high school basketball coach of NBA all-star Andrew Wiggins, was the first coach of the game back in 2015. That game included Murray and players like Thon Maker and Justin Jackson.

More than two years ago, Gymnopoulos became the selection committee chair, in charge of guiding the panel that selects the top Canadians to play in the game.

“It’s exciting for Canadian basketball and all the youth around it. The energy behind the event is at the highest level, it’s a real professional experience for the players and they get a glimpse of it,” Gymnopoulos said.

When Banton played in the game in 2018, he was flown in to spend the weekend at the Orangeville campus in the three-day event that saw him participate in scrimmages and practices with NBA personnel in attendance.

“It was the first time I was getting experience like that, to be treated as a high school kid, you see it in America, the kids get invited to all the camps,” he said.

The Rexdale product took the event as an opportunity to prove he was one of the best talents in Canada at the time — invite or not. Banton ended up starting and was an early candidate for MVP, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals in just 19 minutes.

“Whether you’re the No. 1 ranked guy in Canada or the last ranked guy, whatever the situation is: take advantage of it,” said Banton. “(The Raptors) were there, they talked to me during my pre-draft workout, my interview and even talked to me about how they saw me during the Biosteel game. I just don’t take it for granted. Even though it’s an all-star game, I went out and played and did my thing.”

The weekend gives scouts an opportunity to see Canada’s best crop of talent while also providing families of these kids with information sessions on what the next phase of their journey might look like.

One key docket on Tippings’ agenda is to get representation from the WNBA at the event. At least one Canadian is on each of the four teams left in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament this weekend.

“The women’s side to basketball has got a very quick rise over the next three years. I think the Biosteel women’s game should and I hope will be a really close up look for WNBA programs to see these girls early on.”

Canada’s top Grade 9 and 10 high school basketball players will participate in the regional Nike boys and girls Futures Games on Friday. There’s a closed practice and a skills challenge Saturday.

To end the weekend, the showcase girls’ all-Canadian game will take place at noon Sunday, followed by the boys’ game at 3 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on TSN.