Sask. hoopsters hyper over historic NBA pick
The basketball world is abuzz over this year's NBA draft when, for the first time ever, a Canadian was named the number one overall pick. Anthony Bennett is also a Canadian with a Saskatchewan connection.
Just three years ago, Bennett was playing ball for Nathan Schellenberg, who was an assistant coach for Team Canada.
Schellenberg, who works at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, says Thursday's pick by Cleveland Cavaliers was a surprise. Still, he says it shows how talent in Canada has developed.
"The growth of basketball among young people, in terms of participation, is outpacing soccer and hockey," Schellenberg said. "He might be the first Canadian to get picked first overall. He won't be the last."
Like others who follow the game, Bennett's former coach was expecting him to do well. To enter the professional ranks at the top is something else.
"I thought, you know, there was a pretty good chance he was going to go in the top five, top six," Schellenberg said. "So when he went number one, I heard his name, I was just 'whoa'."
Schellenberg is also coaching Saskatchewan's under-17 team that will play in the upcoming Canada Games.
Players, like Mitch Proctor, find Bennett's accomplishment gives them something to aim for.
"Before, NBA players [were] all American, all European," Proctor said. "Now you see there are some guys from Canada you know. Like, it kind of opens the door to think that it is possible, that it's not just a dream."
Like his teammate, Kyle Robinson is amazed at the possibilities that lay ahead.
"I couldn't believe it," Robinson said of Bennett's pick. "I have never heard of a Canadian going that high because it's never happened."
Schellenberg's Team Saskatchewan plays the country's best this August in Quebec. A pre-Canada Games tournament is set for July 5 to 7, in Saskatoon.
Bennett is a former Team Ontario and national under-17 team member. He is from Brampton.
Schellenberg also coached, while on Team Canada, another hot prospect for the NBA: Joe De Ciman, from Regina. De Ciman is currently playing with the Colorado State Rams.
In 2010, Schellenberg, Bennett and De Ciman won bronze at the U17 World Championships.