Canada Hoops

David Turcotte, SMNT Alumni and 1988 Olympian, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Dave sits down with us to share his basketball story. Dave touches on his life post playing career and tells us about growing up in Sudbury, Ontario where he started to learn and love basketball. Dave talks about the Sudbury basketball scene and the many influences that helped shape his basketball journey; especially the Canada Basketball legend Eli Pasquale. Dave tells us how he makes his way to play at Colorado State through a strange twist of fate while playing for Canada Basketball. Dave talks about his pro journey, his short time in the NBA and then some stops overseas as well. Dave dives deep into Canada Basketball with us and shares some incredible moments and stories from playing with the Senior Mens National Team for Canada Basketball. From moments with teammates, the 1988 Olympics, tales of other SMNT Legends like Steve Nash, Leo Rautins and more Dave shares stories that a Canada Basketball fan will be sure to love. Dave talks about the recent reunion in Toronto for the SMNT Alumni prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, highlighting the current players for the SMNT and then gives us a great Top 5 of all time for Canada Basketball. Much love to David Turcotte for joining us on Canada Hoops ! 

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Philip Jevtovic, Director of High Performance, Analytics and Strategy for Canada Basketball, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Phil graciously sits down with us to share his basketball story. Phil talks about the recent SMNT Qualifiers in Saskatoon for the FIBA AmeriCup and how the SMNT looks heading into the February Qualifiers. Phil tells us about his work with the Junior Academy and how he loves to work with the age groups for the Program; helping the athletes move along towards the SMNT. Phil tells us how basketball came into his life especially during summers spent in Serbia. Phil makes his way to McGill University to play before he discovers the analytics and strategy of basketball. Phil is then brought into Canada Basketball to develop his analytics even further for the Program. Phil takes us through his incredible journey with Canada Basketball thus far: speaking on his friendships, relationships and role with coaches and players alike for the Program. Phil speaks on the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics and gives us insight into why both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dillon Brooks are great dudes on and off the court. And you know Phil J gives us a great Favourite 5 of all time for Canada Basketball : showing love to some all time Warriors for the Program. Much love to Philip Jevtovic for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Kyle Alexander, 2023 SMNT Canada Basketball FIBA World Cup Bronze Medalist, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Kyle sits down with us to share his basketball story thus far. Kyle tells us about his season with Turk Telekom Ankara in Turkey and how he is approaching his game this year. Kyle tells us about life off the court in Turkey and how he is embracing the Turkish culture. Kyle takes us back to growing up in Milton, Ontario, playing other sports before basketball started to really take shape for him. Kyle links up with Bobby Allen to train at Bobbys' academy before he lands at Orangeville Prep. At Orangeville, Kyle plays alongside Jamal Murray and Kyle reminisces on his time as a Bear with Jamal and his other teammates. Eventually, Kyle lands a scholarship at the University of Tennessee where he played for legendary Head Coach Rick Barnes. Kyle tells us about being a Volunteer and how his game elevated in Knoxville to land him on NBA Draft boards. Kyle talks about turning pro, what his pro journey has looked like thus far and his time with the Miami Heat in the NBA. Kyle tells us about his time with the Heat for the 2020 NBA Finals in the "Bubble" vs the Los Angeles Lakers. 
And you know Kyle talks about his time with Canada Basketball ! Kyle speaks on what it means for he and his family for him to represent Canada and Canada Basketball and the connection he and his sister Kayla share playing for the SMNT and SWNT respectively. Kyle talks about the 2023 FIBA World Cup Team and how special it was to be a part of that group. Kyle shares wth us his close relationships with his teammates on the SMNT and shows love to past Canada Hoops guests. And you know Kyle gives us his great Top/Favourite 5 for Canada Basketball. This is an episode you don't want to miss ! Much love to Kyle Alexander for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Our friend Jonathan Chen, the Canada Basketball specialist, pulls up to discuss the upcoming FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers for the SMNT for Canada Basketball in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We break down the roster, who we think is important for these games and the SMNT moving forward. Jonathan discusses the coaching approach for Head Coach Nathaniel Mitchell and we talk about why this window and the FIBA AmeriCup are important as Canada Basketball looks ahead to the next FIBA World Cup and ultimately the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We also talk about the Canadian NBA story lines thus far in the first month of the 2024-2025 NBA Season. Zach Edey has been impressive to start his NBA career. The Canadians have been putting in the work in the NBA to start the season and we touch on the play of Shadeon Sharpe, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and more. Much love to Jonathan Chen for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Bobby Allen, the certified bucket, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Bobby sits down with us to share his basketball story. Bobby tells Matty about the Bobby Allen Skills Academy and how he loves to share and teach the game with the players in his Program. Bobby reflects on his legendary game coming out of Malton and at Morningstar. Bobby shares how he was playing with the SMNT for Canada Basketball in high school competing against the likes of Leo Rautins, Jay Triano and Eli Pasquale. Bobby tells us about his JUCO and NCAA career before he took his game pro. 
And you know we get into the Canada Basketball story. Bobby shares why Steve Nash is such a great dude on and off the court and Bobby reflects on his friendships and relationships with his teammates from Canada Basketball . Then Bobby gives us his incredible Favourite 5 of all time for Canada Basketball. Much love to the bucket Bobby Allen for joining us on Canada Hoops! 
Stay positive everyone! 

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Shawn Swords and Savannah Swords pull up on Canada Hoops ! The father and daughter combo sit down with us to share their basketball story thus far. Shawn and Savvy let us know what is keeping them busy right now as their seasons start to get underway for the Long Island Nets and the LuHi Crusaders for Shawn and Savvy respectively. Shawn attempts to settle the debate for us as to who is the best basketball player in the Swords family before he takes us back to the start of his basketball journey. Shawn loved to play the game as he tried to spend time with his siblings. Shawn tells us how he wound up playing at Laurentian University where he started an impressive career as a player and eventually becoming the Head Coach at Laurentian as well. Savvy lets us know about her goals this year at LuHi, tells us why she likes Breanna Stewart a lot and also hints at the fact she has some schools in mind already when it comes time to make a decision about playing at the next level.  Shawn tells us about his best memories at Laurentian before he takes us through his pro journey; with stops all throughout Europe. Shawn lets us know how his coaching career began and why he has his eyes on getting to an NBA bench at some point.
And you know we get into the Canada Basketball story with Shawn and Savannah. Shawn talks about his time with the iconic 2000 Sydney Olympics SMNT and why that group remains a special team to this day. Shawn talks about seeing both  Savvy and Syla Swords playing for Canada Basketball; especially seeing Syla play at the 2024 Paris Olympics for Canada Basketball. Savvy tells us why she loves to play for Canada and how much she loved her time with the program this past summer at the 2024 U17 WC. Shawn talks about the impact of Steve Nash and Jay Triano; before both he and Savvy give us a great Top/Fav 5 of all time for Canada Basketball. Big shoutout to the entire Swords family !
Much love to Shawn Swords and Savannah Swords for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Dwight Walton,  Canada Basketball SMNT Alumni and 1988 Olympian, pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Dwight helps us kick off the 2024/25 season as he sits down with your boy Matty to share his basketball story. Dwight remains fully connected to the game more than ever and lets us know what is keeping him busy in basketball right now. Dwight reflects on his time in the game at all stages of his life and career; starting from his childhood in Montreal, Quebec. Dwight tells us about basketball coming into his life, his time at Dawson College and getting his first opportunity and moment with the SMNT for Canada Basketball. Dwight talks about his time at Siena College and Florida Tech in the NCAA and how his pro career started. Dwight tells us about his 10 year tenure with Canada Basketball and how much he loved his teammates, coaches and everyone involved with the Program. As Dwight dives more into Canada Basketball he tells us how he knew Steve Nash would be an incredible player and one of the all time greats. The names of players and coaches for Canada Basketball  Dwight references throughout the conversation are truly incredible and inspiring. And Dwight gives us some incredible names for his Top and Favorite 5 for Canada Basketball. It was a true privledge to sit down with Dwight and hear him speak on his knowledge and time in the game and with Canada Basketball in particular.
Much love to Dwight Walton for joining us on Canada Hoops !

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Shelley Swords pulls up on Canada Hoops ! Shelley sits down with your boy Matty to share a bit of her Canadian basketball story and to tell us what leading an impactful family for Canada Basketball looks like. Shelley lets us in on what the Swords family is up to as everyone approaches their basketball season. Shelley tells us about the 2024 Paris Olympic experience for the Swords family and how Syla is approaching her freshmen season at the University of Michigan. Shelley shares with us how basketball started for her and how she found herself playing at Laurentian University. Shelley tells us about watching and supporting Shawn and the rest of the 2000 Sydney Olympic team and why that group remains special today. The Swords family made the move from Sudbury to Long Island, NY, for everyone to pursue basketball even further and Shelley tells us how that move and decision unfolded.  
Shelley describes what playing for Canada Basketball means to her family and why it's something they cherish. And you know Shelley gives us a great Favourite 5 of all time for Canada Basketball ! It's usually a family and community affair for athletes to succeed; especially with Canada Basketball. Shelley Swords gives us insight on what that looks like for her family and we are truly grateful Shelley joined us ! Much love to the Swords family !

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The 2024 Paris Olympics journey for the SMNT for Canada Basketball comes to an end as Canada loses to France 82-73 in the quarterfinals. Tough end to the tournament for the SMNT. But you know us here on Canada Hoops: It's Canada Basketball forever. 

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2024 Paris Olympics: SMNT Canada Basketball defeats Australia 93-83. The homie Scott Witter, X.com Canada Basketball Insider, pulls up to discuss the game for Canada as Canada moves to 2-0 in the group with a chance to move to 3-0 on Friday vs Spain.

What a time to be alive ! Canada Basketball forever !

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