Sleepers Abound at the 2008 Fullcourt Press Northern Exposure Camp by Dinos Trigonis (November 17, 2008)   The 2nd annual Fullcourt Press Northern Exposure Camp was held recently (November 8-9) in Calgary, Canada. This event featured 60-plus high school players from Calgary and other areas of Alberta, Canada (including Edmonton) as well as players from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alaska and Spokane WA.  The

camp began with terrific instruction/drills demonstration directed by John Hegwood (a former Gary IN native, University of San Francisco star and professional player now living in Calgary) and continued with several competitive rounds of games that showcased the underrated talent present.  Calgary has now topped the 1 million population mark and is one of North America’s most modern and diverse cities and there is no reason why this area can’t produce enough college-caliber players to warrant future recruiting attention at all levels - especially at a time when a past NBA MVP like Steve Nash (a Western Canada native) is a great source of inspiration.

The camp’s top 25 players were selected by me and were showcased in the “cream of the crop” game held at the conclusion of the event.  Braeden Anderson was named MOP of the camp while DeVon Booker and Michael Sampson were named co-MVPs of the Top 20 game.  Anderson scored 20 points and grabbed 12 boards to  lead the White squad over the Black team 90-84.  Booker contributed 14 points and 7 rebounds to the White's winning effort while Sampson produced 14 points/8 boards/4 assists for the Black squad.  Below are the players that were selected to the Top 20 game:

Braden Anderson              6'7"     2010   Foothills (Okotoks AB CAN) High-major athlete with an improving skill set has schools south of the border (like Portland State) taking notice.  Anderson's multiple thunderous dunks during the camp including a monster slam that virtually carried a helpless defender into the basket were among the highlights of the camp.  Possesses soft touch on his face-up jump shot but needs to develop better consistency.  If he acquires the desire and commitment to work hard on his offensive skills, Anderson (a year young for his grade) could reach his mid-major or higher potential.

DeVon Booker                    6'2"     2011   West (Anchorage AK) Following up a impressive performance at the Fullcourt Press All-Frosh/Soph Camp (early October @ Long Beach CA) where he was named MVP of the Top 50 Cream of there Crop Game, Booker continues to exude confidence in his offensive abilities.   Very good spot-up shooter as well as a quick slasher to the basket makes him a potent scoring threat. Michael Sampson              6'3"     2009   Pearson (Calgary AB CAN) Intriguing wing guard has very long arms that allow him to be a harassing defender

and is also a very underrated offensive threat - slashing to the basket to consistently finish high above the rim.  One of Canada's top sleepers! Kyle Bailey                           6'5"     2010   University (Spokane WA Smooth off-guard has both size and an accurate outside shot that extends to the 3-point line.   Bailey also has an impressive court presence as well as an excellent basketball IQ. Ben Bertolami                     6’4”     2009   St Mary’s (Calgary AB CAN) Hard-working wing has very good basketball instincts and a confident on-court swagger.  Argentine native followed up last year's camp co-MOP effort with another solid performance this year.

Other Top 25 Game players include:   Ellshadie Getenet               6’1”     2009   Bishop McNally (Calgary AB CAN) Crafty combo-guard plays solid defense.   Travis Blacker                     5'11"  2009   Paul Kane (Edmonton AB CAN) Hardnosed playmaker performs with poise under defensive pressure and is a tough competitor.  Underrated perimeter shooter.   Dallin Bachynski                6'10"  2009   Winston Churchill (Calgary AB CAN) Center has size and moves well, but is far from a finished product.  Older brother (7’1” Jordan) played at Findlay Prep (Henderson NV) last year and is currently on a 2-year Mormon mission.   Sam Zhang                          6'4"     2009   Pitt Meadows Secondary (Pitt Meadows BC CAN) Hard-working wing has ability to score both from the perimeter as well as inside the paint.   David Thygeson                 6’5”     2009   Lord Beaverbrook (Calgary AB CAN) Lefty shooter has nice “face-up” scoring ability.   Awet Abraha                        6’2”     2010   Bishop McNally (Calgary AB CAN) Quick slashing scorer has a nose for the ball.   Nebojsa Kuljic                    6'5"     2010   Western Canada (Calgary AB CAN) Skilled wing with size has intriguing upside.   Brad Clark                            6'5"     2010   Winston Churchill (Calgary AB CAN) Scrappy combo-forward plays with intensity and is a solid rebounder.   Strahinja Kucinar               6’4”     2011   Western Canada  (Calgary AB CAN) Outstanding shooter is a young marksman worth tracking.   Matthew Francisco            5’9”     2010   St Francis (Calgary AB CAN) Small but savvy point has an excellent feel for the game.   John Hegwood Jr.             6’2”     2012   Mountain Park MS (Calgary AB CAN) Young, but talented wing is an emerging name in this class.  Smooth perimeter stroke to go along with excellent basketball instincts make him a name of the future.  Dad (John Sr.) played at San Francisco.   Dave Morrison                    5'9"     2012   St. Martha's MS  (Calgary AB CAN) Small but very quick and skilled playmaker was impressive all weekend long.  Only a few inches away from being a sought-after college PG prospect. Bisrat Tekletsadik              6'0"     2009  Western Canada (Calgary AB CAN) Spunky combo-guard has real ability to penetrate defenses.   Patrick Walker                     6'9"     2009   McDougall (Airdrie AB CAN) Rugged rebounder with size always gives 100% effort.   Edward Asamoah              6'4"     2011   Bishop Grandin  (Calgary AB CAN) Long wing forward is a very good shotblocker.   Graham Unruh                    6'0"     2010   Evon Hardy Collegiate (Saskatoon SK CAN) “Tough as nails combo-guard” is a dependable ballhandler and fine passer.   Abrar Lateef                         5'11"  2009   Lord Beaverbrook (Calgary AB CAN) Tough PG handles defensive pressure well.   Uel Ghebreslassie              6'2"     2009   Pearson (Calgary AB CAN) Quick off the dribble, Uel has good ball skills and nice range on his jump shot.   Josh White                           5'11"  2009   Lord Beaverbrook (Calgary AB CAN) Solid defender and steady ballhandler.    Josh Daniel                          5'9"     2010   Bishop Grandin  (Calgary AB CAN) Athletic point has nice ability to beat defenders off the dribble.   Francis Cormier-Gelinas     6'0"     2010   Western Canada (Calgary AB CAN) Fundamentally-sound lead guard has a blue-collar work ethic.   Edgar Ndayishimiye          6'2"     2010   St Mary’s (Calgary AB CAN) Quick off-guard pushes rock well.   Vish Banipal                        6'0"     2010   Pearson (Calgary AB CAN) Underrated scoring threat plays with maximum effort.   Jalen Gardener                   6'1"     2011   Bowness  (Calgary AB CAN) Athletic combo-guard is pesky defender.   ** Dakota Laurin                 6’4”     2009   Western Canada (Calgary AB CAN) Although injuries kept him out of action here, Dakota is an underrated wing scorer that has drawn some U.S. college interest.   ** special thanks go out to John Hegwood, Jackie Portsmouth, Derrick Joseph and the entire Calgary Elite and CYDC family for the great hospitality and for making my trek to Calgary a worthwhile experience

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