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PHASE 1 All Canada Classic Hits Big

Published by Steven Loung on May 10, 2010

Mark your calendars for June 14 because the 10^th annual All Canada Classic will be played at the Air Canada Centre on that date.

The event, organized and hosted by PHASE 1 Basketball, is an exhibition all-star game showcasing the best, and brightest high school basketball players (boys and girls) in Canada, similar to the McDonald’s All-American Game in the United States.

“It’s very similar to the McDonald’s All-American game because you bring together the top players across the country, and you house them, and stage a competition between them,” Wayne Dawkins, founder of PHASE 1 Basketball, said.

The All Canada Classic has been going through a phenomenal growth spurt over its 10 years in existence and the move to the Air Canada Centre is proof that the event is ready for much bigger things due to its uniqueness of being the only game of its type in Canada.

“We knew that the type of game that this is for our country is the only national high school all-star game, Dawkins said. “So we felt something like this really deserves to be celebrated on a much bigger platform. There’s no reason why a game of this caliber can’t be enjoyed in a big arena.”

A major reason why the exhibition has been able to grow so much to the point where it has to be played in an arena is because of the level of talent that has been showcased in previous years.

Players like McDonald’s All-Americans Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph , and former NCAA stars Jevohn Shepherd of the University of Michigan, and Denham Brown from the University of Connecticut.

Emerson Murray as well Myck Kabongo will be two major names in this year's all star game.

Another big reason why the All Canada Classic has been able to move up the way it has over the past decade is because of different sponsors that PHASE 1 Basketball has been able to get on board, and this year is no exception with Jordan Brand USA as the main apparel sponsor and a partnership with Canada Basketball.

In addition to the exhibition games that will be played, the All Canada Classic will also feature a few other fun events including a two-ball competition, a three-point shootout, and a slam dunk contest.

Last year’s dunk-off was won by Vancouver’s Emerson Murray of St. George’s High School, who recently committed to California Berkeley Golden Bears in the PAC-10.

On top of the fun basketball festivities, PHASE 1 Basketball is also raising funds for the charity Literature for Life with the All Canada Classic because tying in a social or academic component into what PHASE 1 Basketball does is important to Dawkins.

“I’ve been a teacher for the last 12 years, and a big focus for us, with any event that we do, [is that event] has an opportunity to promote academics, to promote any social component” Dawkins said.

With the opportunity to see the exciting future of Canadian basketball right now, and the chance to give to a worthy charity, the All Canada Classic is fantastic way to spend an evening with family and friends.

To purchase tickets to the All Canada Classic, and for more information on the event and PHASE 1 Basketball visit www.phase1basketball.com.

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