June 21, 2004
TORONTO, Ont. - Canada Basketball, in conjunction with Events Halifax, jointly announced today the names of 22 athletes who have received invitations to attend the Young Men's National Team's training camp as the squad begins preparations for this summer's 2004 Under 21 Tournament of the Americas in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The event, taking place at the Halifax Metro Centre, is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 1.
In addition to the training camp invitees announcement, both organizations also revealed that Todd MacCulloch has been named the tournament's honourary chair. A former Senior Men's National Team member and current Philadelphia 76ers center, MacCulloch previously played at the Under 21 Tournament of the Americas as a member of the Canadian Young Men's National Team in 1996.
Among the notable names invited to head coach Dave Crook's (Winnipeg, MB) training camp are 2003 Junior Men's National Team point guard, Global Games First Team All-Star, and three-time OFSAA Champion, Tristan Blackwood (Toronto, ON); 2002 and 2003 Junior Men's National Team member and Santa Clara University forward, Sean Denison (Nelson, BC); University of Kentucky sophomore forward Sheray Thomas (Montreal, QC); and team captain of the 2003 Junior Men's National Team, Shane James (Toronto, ON).
The list of invitees also contains three players with Maritime connections as 2003 Junior Men's National Team member Corey Hallett (Shelburne, NS); 2003 and 2002 Junior Men's National Team member, Atlantic University Sport Rookie of the Year, and St. Francis Xavier freshman guard, Garry Gallimore (Ottawa, ON); and St. Francis Xavier University standout Neil MacDonald (Sydney Mines, NS) were amongst the names included in the 22-man roster.
Canada Basketball also announced today that the competition schedule for the Young Men's National Team has been finalized. In addition to the 2004 Under 21 Tournament of the Americas and the Summer Series Maritime Exhibition Tour, the squad will also compete in the Global Games for a second consecutive summer. Held in Dallas at Southern Methodist University from June 25 to July 3, the Global Games is a 10-day tournament which will feature the best under 20 nations from across the globe. Last year under Crook's guidance, Canada placed fourth at the event.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce the list of 22 players that we have invited to our Young Men's National Team training camp", said Crook. "This group of men represent the best under-20 players in Canada. We are expecting an extremely competitive and high energy camp as we officially begin our preparations for the Global Games, the Summer Series in the Maritimes and the 2004 Under 21 Tournament of the Americas".
The complete roster can be found online at www.basketball.ca/u21.
Canada Basketball is a private, not-for-profit corporation that is committed to the growth of the sport in Canada. Just as important, Canada Basketball is focused on the development and preparation of Canada's national teams for the Olympic, Pan American and FISU Games as well as the World Championships. The aspiration of Canada Basketball is to instill the pride, commitment, passion and respect that Canadians personify into the development of basketball across the country and internationally.