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French Connection

Published by Jason Gairey on July 26, 2010

Back in the day, the “French Connection” was the secret source behind many of the most notorious crime syndicates. The French were such a powerful influence for the criminal underworld that they made a hit movie about the movement in the early ‘70s.

FIBA.com

Well, it seems that the French have formed a new connection, completely different than the infamous one aforementioned, but becoming just as powerful in the Canadian basketball scene.

The influence on basketball in Quebec has seeped through into the higher echelons of the hoops world, the NBA. The province is now actually leading the way, having the most Canadians playing in the league at the present moment with 6’11” center Samuel Dalembert and 6’9” Joel Anthony.

Dalembert was recently traded to the Sacramento Kings from the Philadelphia 76ers where he was a key contributor for seven seasons, while Anthony plays for the Miami Heat.

Both represent their French origins immensely and have started a new wave of basketball players, making Quebec a hot bed for top quality talent for basketball in Canada.

The product is being pushed out of Quebec in rapid numbers, drawing attention from both CIS and major NCAA D1 institutions. It has also been a popular spot for prep schools throughout the U.S. to scoop up a few players here and there.

Despite the attention that the States have given Quebec powerhouse schools such as Dawson College, Champlain, and Vanier provide somewhat similar programs as the prep route giving talented players the option to stay in country.

The Quebecois seem to know that they have a good thing going on, giving provinces like Ontario and British Columbia some heavy competition when it comes to basketball talent at the high school level.

Rouel Hildalgo, the director of one of QC’s top basketball programs, Brookwood Elite, knows this first hand.

“People are finally starting to take note of the talent we are producing. Quebec players are making noise south of the border and internationally.” says Hildago.

Syracuse University, has the next completely high grade package to come out of the province right now. 6’7” junior forward Kris Joseph, one of the Orangemen’s top players. is drawing lots of attention from NBA scouts and is predicted to go in the first round in every Mock Draft possible for 2011.

With first team All-American Wesley Johnson being a lottery pick in the first round, and fellow Canadian Andy Rautins being drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks, all eyes will be on Joseph to keep Syracuse at the top of the Big East.

The list of continues to multiply with 6’9’ phenom and Jr. National team member, Khem Birch. The long, athletic forward, is still raw but has started to blossom into a solid player.

He has been invited to several exposure camps, most notably the LeBron James Skills Academy. His stock seems to keep rising as he is on a lot of people’s who’s who list.

The dots continue to connect, as players such as 6’1” Kemy Osse, from Arch Bishop Carroll Prep, who played alongside Birch on the Jr. National team, and was the main spark plug off the bench for them at the FIBA Americas this summer.

Point guard Keny Fred Chery, also did his thing for the Jr. National team as well as in San Antonio. A teammate with Osse at powerhouse prep school, Arch Bishop Carroll in Washington D.C., he showed why he belonged on the national team.

He continues to make some noise along with new standouts, 6’6” Jonathan Tshibuy and 6’1” Oliver-Paul Betu who are all on the AAU circuit this summer running with teams such as Brookwood Elite, QC Elite Hoops Academy, QC United, Team Takeover Canada (CIA Bounce), Grassroots and Xpressions.

They come even younger with talented guards Olivier Hanlan and Junior Lomomba who played for Canada’s Cadet Team in Germany this summer, and 14 year old Kevin Zabo, a 6’1” guard who CROWN featured this summer, and will be heading to St Mark’s Prep in Massachusetts.

The talent has always been there in Quebec, according to Hidalgo, it was just a matter of time for people to take notice. The proof of this is the fact that a lot of these players are drawing interest from several D1 NCAA schools.

“Guys like Khem [Birch], Kemy [Osse] and Keny [Fred Chery] are part of something special,” says Hidalgo. “Talent has always been in abundance in Quebec.”

The French Connection has finally resurfaced, planting budding talent across North America. Be ready, as the province of Quebec begins a new wave of talent and potential to fuel Canada’s ongoing success that is spreading across the country and into the basketball world. It’s no secret anymore.

With thanks going out to Wayne Yearwood and Trevor Williams, who started this trend and continue to do be involved with the next generation, the connection has been made.

Le succès est mesure dans la qualite de nombres.

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