Buzz

Brady Heslip: From the Ground Up

Published by CROWN staff on May 14, 2009

Basketball isn’t a hobby for Brady Heslip. He has always been part of a team, and always had the drive to win. Since he was four years old, Brady has been conditioned to win. Born in Burlington, Ontario, Heslip grew up surrounded by preachers of the game. His Dad Tom Heslip was an All-Canadian guard at Guelph University, and his uncle Jay Triano (who was recently signed to a three-year deal) is the first head coach in Canadian history to lead an NBA team in the Toronto Raptors.
“There was a lot of pressure on me coming from a basketball family,” said Heslip. “There were times when I wanted to quit.”

JACOB BELCHER

The pressure that could’ve discouraged Brady actually translated into improvement. Brady, who stands at 6’2 180lbs, began playing guard at Assumption Secondary as a freshman. He then switched to Nelson high school in grade ten and began playing on the senior team.

“I’m the most competitive person I know.”

Through the years, Nelson high school has always had a strong basketball team. That success carried over once Brady joined the senior squad with the Nelson Lords. He only considered himself as shooter because he was “short and chubby and didn’t even have a neck.” With shooting being his prime focus, he began getting in shape so he could expand his game.
“I wish there was a before and after photo,” as he said with a grin. “Because it would be some comedy.”
They captured the Halton Championship trophy when Heslip was in grade eleven. Unfortunately, the Lords lost in the Halton finals the following two school years.
“Over my time there it’s been good playing for coach [Bob] Stacy. I learned a lot there,” said Heslip. “My confidence grew, and I had a lot of freedom. I learned how to be a leader.”

Brady is still in search for victory, and he’s been stomping down that path since he began playing competitive basketball at the age of four. Along the way he accredits his family for their guidance as well as his AAU coach Ro Russel and his rep coaches Jeff Joseph and Manny Furtado. Education has also played a key role for Brady.
“I’m fortunate enough to do well in classes,” said Heslip. “Crazy amounts of guys who would be on scout’s radars aren’t because of their grades. It’s important to take care of that.”
Heslip is a deceptive sharp shooter that understands his skill and knows how to be crafty with it. His shooting has always been gravy and his ball IQ seems to increase with his physique. Now he’s working on the mashed potatoes. Brady intends to take the next step by attending Guelph University in the fall to play alongside John Brutto from London, Ontario and Matt Howlett from rival high school, Assumption. His goal is to eventually play for the Canadian Senior National team. Brady speaks of motivation and the importance of setting goals.

“My Dad motivates me to be the best. Basketball can do so many things for you, let you travel, give you job opportunities, and help you meet new people,” said Heslip. “I see myself in 5 years from now with a championship ring at Guelph, sitting at home weighing my options for playing in Europe.”

Why Europe?

“It’s always been a dream,” said Heslip.
And if the NBA calls first? “Then that’d be a dream come true.”

By Aaron Vaccariello

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