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From Concrete To Hardwood

Published by Jason Gairey on November 16, 2010

myck bongo The game of life and the game of basketball are very much alike. In both, nothing comes easy. To many, hoop dreams are a way out of poverty and suppression and represent an avenue for success. To the kid that indulges in these dreams basketball becomes their religion, their safe haven. Myck (pronounced Mike as in Mike Jordan) Kabongo is one of those kids. A kid who eats, breathes and sleeps the game. Basketball is to him…a way of life!

When thinking of the city of Toronto, Canada, many may have the impression of a beautiful, clean winter wonderland! But, like any major city in the world, Toronto has its share of rough neighborhoods. 6’2” point guard Myck Kabongo, hails from one of those areas. Many call them the ‘projects’. Low income housing, filled with the beauty of multiculturalism also harbours poverty and crime –abstain from the beast! The best of both worlds, some may say, and Myck is proud of coming from The Blake Street Housing Complex in east end Toronto. “Seeing a lot of negative stuff around me growing up in that environment made me want to do better.” Kabongo says, “I had friends that were into bad things and some that were good. It made it easy for me to choose what side I was going down. I wanted to do the positive thing, go to school, stay out of the street life and do right by my family.”

At a young age, Kabongo fell in love with the game. He would constantly be at the concrete courts in his neighborhood, dribbling a ball everywhere he went. As his love grew so did his skill which soon became noticeable among the older kids playing on the courts. His brothers were key to his early development and desire to play. “My brothers have been pushing and supporting me since the jump” says the well spoken Kabongo. “Without them guiding me and introducing me to this game, who knows where I would be?”

He would eventually have to part with kids his own age and start playing with the high school kids, eventually catching the eyes of many coaches at the high school, OBA and Canada Basketball levels. He was on the radar.

It was inevitable that since his neighbourhood was just around the corner from powerhouse Eastern Commerce High School Kabongo would begin his high school career there with the most reputable program in Canada under Coach Roy Rana.”Myck was always a competitor, even back then. He continues to display that, along with a level of confidence that many players don’t particularly have early. He’s special,” Rana says.

As a ninth grader, Kabongo’s play was so impressive, that his AAU coach Ro Russell, along with family and others, felt that he could thrive so much better against the tougher competition south of the border. Destination…New Jersey.

Playing at one of the top prep schools in the U.S, St Benedict’s, Myck’s electrifying play, quickness and ability to break down defenders was beginning to catch the eyes of many NCAA scouts and his coach, Dan Hurley. He was slowly becoming a valuable piece of the puzzle, but with former All-American and Louisville star Senardo Samuels taking most of the light and Tristan Thompson, a McDonald’s All-American now freshmen at Texas, also playing well the post players were more dominant. “The first year I came to Benedicts it was tough. I thought I would start but with all the older guys I had to wait my turn,” he explains. “All that did was make me work harder, stay humble and go at guys. Having Tristan there and playing with better guys made it a lot easier and also bettered my game.”

mycky spin That summer Coach Russell would take his Grassroots Canadian crew and dominate the AAU circuit with Myck learning the ropes playing alongside fellow All-Americans Tristan, Cory Joseph and Junior Caduogan(Marquette). They would win the biggest tournament of the summer, the Adidas Super 64, causing all eyes to focus on what’s going on up here in Canada. “Myck is that kid who always wanted to play with older, better players and his level of confidence was high from day one!” says coach Ro Russell.

Year two at St. Benedict’s would establish Kabongo and 6’9 forward Thompson as top 10 players in their respective classes by most scouting services. St Benedict’s would be on their way to a #1 ranking in the country with the Canadian duo at the helm giving them a dangerous 1-2 punch! The 2009 season was blossoming into one of the best ever for the New Jersey program until the Gray Bees lost their first game of the season. Conflict was in the air, causing their top player, scorer and good friend Tristan Thompson to leave the program for Findlay Prep(NV), an up and coming prep powerhouse, to play alongside another good friend and Grassroots teammate guard Cory Joseph. They would eventually lead that team to a National High School Championship and #1 ranking by season end. “That’s my brother right there!” Kabongo states. “When Tristan left, I was upset and felt like I was alone. And I was alone, but positive came out of it as I was able to develop maturity and create a team that I could lead.”

Extensive training back home in Toronto with Grassroots Canada’s coaching staff, Canada Basketball and former Eastern Commerce, St Bonaventure and National team player Vidal Messiah’s Hoop Factory had him more polished and hungry.

His verbal commitment to Texas alongside Tristan, who also committed to coach Rick Barnes and the Longhorns, solidified Myck’s collegiate future. “Committing my sophomore year was a good feeling because I knew where I was going. I could focus more on getting better and playing,” Myck says.

More exposure came when Myck was selected to the Boost Mobile Elite 24 game at Rucker Park in New York with his two Canadian counterparts (Joseph and Thompson).

“Playin in that game was fun. Me being one of the younger guys, in New York at the famous Rucker Park, the crowd was hype, and that had me hype too.”

In his junior year, Kabongo was at the forefront. St Benedict’s was ready to continue their reign as one of the top prep schools in the land, and Myck would have his opportunity to show that this was his team.

The Gray Bees had another great season where Myck would be leading scorer and assist man, averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 assist and 4 rebounds per contest. Game after game, dissecting defences with his court savvy and explosiveness ala TJ Ford!

St Benedict’s would finish the season ranked in the Top 5 in the country, with a record of 20-1. This junior point guard sensation from the projects of Toronto, Canada, had let the world know that he is here!

The accolades would follow as Kabongo was named to the All-New Jersey Prep 1st team and nominated as the New Jersey Prep Player of the Year. “past season was great! I worked extremely hard and to see it pay off feels good. It’s nice to win awards and get selected for things but I’m never just satisfied with my game. I always want to improve, “Kabongo says.

The summer saw this explosive floor general shifting back and forth across the border with Grassroots Canada boosting his stock, being a dominant force at the ‘In the Rock’ AAU Tournament in Arkansas, billed as one of the premier up and coming tourneys on the circuit. The Pango’s All American Camp in California was another success story as Kabongo ripped apart opponents and dazzled the audience with his superior explosiveness, speed, leadership and court vision. His shooting ability was recognized as scouts were impressed with how much that part of his game has improved, giving him the edge for MVP at the prestigious exposure camp.”Eight years I have had the pleasure of coaching Myck, and the experience has been nothing but special. From day one his loyalty, dedication and confidence has defined him. His love for the game, his mom, his family can tell you the sky is the limit for Myck,” Coach Russell embellished..

As to his opinion on what’s happening in Canada with hoops, Kabongo simply said,”Canada basketball is heading in the right direction, hopefully it continues for years to come.”

With one more high school season to go, he acknowledges that he still has work to do. With the continued success that has followed this summer along with more hard work, Kabongo’s future is very bright! Being a point guard his size, he realizes that strength and speed are his key resources but wants to add more to fine tune his game. His shooting is improving with range beyond the arc, which will be needed for the next level. “Myck was the most dominant, outstanding point guard for his class this summer, as emphasized by his accolades,” stated Anthony Otto, Director of Player Development of Grassroots Basketball Canada.

The goals for this season are to follow suit with his boys, Tristan and Cory, and continue a trend of Canadians becoming All-Americans, McDonald’s, Jordan Brand and Parade All-Americans and strong candidates for U.S High School Player of the Year Awards. The University of Texas commitment will also be shifting Myck in another direction for his final prep school season. Coach Dan Hurley had officially taken the Wagner College head coaching job, so he decided to head west to the desert. Myck followed in the footsteps of his close friends and put in work at Findlay Prep(NV) this year. He explains,”It was the best thing to do since Coach Hurley left. I’m just excited at being in a place where a big challenge is in front of me.”

Findlay Prep seems to be building one of the strongest programs of this decade. With back to back National titles, Coach Mike Peck was not hesitant about bringing in another talented Canadian. “We expect Myck to come in and help continue to build a legacy at Findlay, especially with the strong cast he’ll have around him.” Assistant Coach Todd Simon also adds, “Having Myck gives you that rare true point guard who can dictate the game by his pace on both ends of the floor.”

Work ethic, as you can clearly see, is something Kabongo has embedded in himself. His leadership role has increased to a high level, which not only elevates his game but elevates the other players on the court. His incredible showing at this summers’ U18 FIBA America Tournament in San Antonio, Texas was testament to the continuous improvement of his game. Myck did his thing; with highlight games like his 32 point, 11 assist and 9 rebound performance against the U.S!

His performance at the Lebron James Skills Academy this summer had many scouts talking about Kabongo’s maturity and control of the court. To top off the summer he displayed, in true point guard fashion, why he is the cream of the crop in the 2011 Class winning Co-MVP honours with fellow Canadian Kyle Wiltjer at the Boost Mobile Elite 24 All-Star Classic in Venice Beach, California.

“That’s exactly what he does, lead. He gave our team leadership and brought confidence, being able to break down defences and create for his teammates and himself.” Head Coach of Canada’s Jr National team Greg Francis says, “His future looks bright.”

As his young career continues to take off in the right direction, the bar is set and making it to the NBA is becoming more and more attainable. There is no room for pausing, he stays in high gear. The devotion to the game flows through his veins. And home? The concrete atmosphere? Well, that is what has embellished his desire to make this game… a way of life! Always humble and staying hungry!

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