Young Gun Bekkering in Top 100? Your Suggestions for the Top 100   Coach Steve Konchalski: Here are some players that probably should be on the comprehensive list Cory Hallas, Rob Wilson, Ken Larson, Trevor Williams, Ross Wedlake and Fred Perry. Billy Robinson belongs on one of the top 2-3 all-time teams he was one of the greatest players to ever play for Canada in my time. Diana: "I just saw a game in Brantford in the new OPBA league, and at 34 Martin Keane is a force to be reckoned with." Carrie "Peter Guarasci is from my hometown of Niagara Falls. He has been on our national team for many years and has also played professionally in Europe. He would be a good selection for the Top 100." Dave Wells: "I saw Ron Thorsen (in my mind a slashy 6'3" guard) play for UBC when I was a kid and was so impressed! I don't really know how good he was (because at that age I didn't have much to compare him to), but he must have been reasonable. I know he was drafted by the NBA in a supplemental draft around 1972/73 but haven't been able to find it on-line. As for additional players, I'm not sure if he's top-100, but Tim Tollestrup was a significant national team starter too Editors Note: Also read in Guest Book, Dave's valued opinion on the rating or non rating of  Phil Tollestrup not making the Top Five Canadian Teams. Dave is longtime freelance writer from the Lethbridge area and a current director of Basketball Alberta. If my memory serves me right, I also corresponded with him in early 80s' when Alberta Dusters (CBA) were around. Kyle Jessome: "Here is a centre, forward and guard for your Top 100 list. Byron Tokarchuk (U of Saskatchewan), J.D. Jackson (U.B.C.) and Richard Bohne (Calgary). All three were university all-stars and the best players in the country." Brandon: "Hands down Henry Bekkering (now at Eastern Washington) will be in the Top 5 (Canadians) in a few years. over. This white boy can dunk just as good as Vince Carter. Check out these sick dunks. Check it out." Frank: "Ryan Serravalle - Captain of the 2002 Holy Cross Crusaders, (Worcester,MA) NCAA Division I, that won back to back Patriot League Championships, and nearly upsetting the no. 1 seed Kansas and Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He was the 36th player in Patriot League History to record over 1,000 career points, ranking 26th all time in Holy Cross History. 3rd all time in three point field goals made. Provincial gold medalist under 18. Played professional basketball in both Division One Poland and A2 in Italy. Will currently be playing in the OPBA league as well, and in Europe next season. Black Bill Walton: "How come Phil Dixon is not up there? He was an outstanding player at Bathurst Heights and at Utah playing 4 years for Rick Majerus." Leonard S: "Hard job coming up with the 100 best wish you luck. A great addition is Peter Savich CIAU player of the year 1984-5 from Waterloo." Editors Note: Thanks to John Grasso of Guilford New York who sent me an amazing historical persepective of the Canadian Olympian teams over the years and added many members, too many to mention, to the Top 100 list. For the past few years he has been working on the daunting task of gathering info on each and every team - not only Canada but all men's and ladies hoop teams - that have competed in the Olympics! If you have any scores, player stats for Canada for the 1936, 1948, 1956 and 1960 Olympics sent them to me and I will forward.. AK$ - I know i havent seen a lot of these fellas play....but what about some consideration for Pete Morris out in BC. He played at St FX i think and had a few NBA looks. The dude must be like 80 now (kidding) and still rips it. Aquemini: How about Joey Vickery? Played at Brandon and could flat-out stroke it......also played on the national team for many years. You gotta get Henry Bekkering off there too. Guy didn't even play last year...maybe wait on the end of his career to decide that one Minute Maid: Pasha Bains:CIS Player of the Year. Greatest high school career in BC ever and played at Clemson. Olu Famutimi moved from Ontario but moved down to Michigan to play high school basketball and was a McDonalds All American. Pasha for sure deserves to be on the list, but Olu is arguable John Sutherland:  I don't know the exact year but Ritchie Spears was drafted back in the early sixties. I think Steve Konchalski may have been drafted as well. Richie Spears, Brian Heaney, and Steve Konchalski all played for Acadia around that period and I have seen all of them playing. Although they've been fixtures on the Canadian basketball scene for many years, both Heaney and Konchalski are Americans originally from New York state. Brian was from Far Rockaway Beach and I can't remember Steve's hometown. Richie is Canadian from New Waterford, NS. Other possibilities somewhere on or just below your top 100 list would be John Cassidy from Ottawa (played at St. Mary's and Dalhousie) who was on the Canadian national team for quite a while and Warren Sutton (Acadia I believe) from Montreal. James Gillingham and Jerome Robinson (Bradley), Romuald Augustin (Providence/Bryant), Velimir Radinovic (Ohio State), Juan Mendez (Niagara), Jesse Young from Peterborough (George Mason). and Jon Kijonek (Iona) should be considered as well. There are a number of current NCAA D1 players who are likely to make the list in the future. Editor's Note: To date have found no data that Ritchie Spears ws drafted in the NBA? Of the 19-20 rounds in 1966 there is no mention of Spears being selected and the St. Louis Hawks had no record. Still searching - no mention in drafts from 1960 - 1968 - as it may have been a supplemental or territorial draft aside from the regular draft. If was selected would like to make correction to add to my work for NBA Canada website pertaining to the history of Canadians drafted or who have played in the NBA. Da Doc: What about players who played overseas? Deon George was an honourable mention All-American while at St-Francis(NY) averaging 18pt 10reb a game his last 2 years. He plays in Switzerland now. Jimmy Maniatis and Angelo Vourtzoumis were are arguably the best players MTL ever produced. Both were highly recruited (ACC,Big East,Sec,etc.) yet decided to play pro ball in Greece. Shawn 15: JJ Brade was also sick from Quebec he was almost a McDonald's All American and at the time him and Steve Nash were the best players coming out of Canada and he signed with the bigger school in George Washington they play in the a 10 Warren Poncsak: Here are some candidates: Johnny Carson and Jude Kelly, Brandon 80's; Gene Rizak; Glen Nelson, U of R (leads Chris Biegler in all categories!); Kevin Gilroy, U of R. Editor's Note: Carson, a great player, was an American import for Brandon.  Dale Mitchell: Let me give a vote for "Double D" David Daniels (already on the list). He went to High School in Redmond Oregon, was a star player for Colorado College and was a late cut cut from the Denver Nuggets. He went from there to be the starting point guard for Athletes in Action for 9 years. He is a kick to watch as he will  regularly strip the opponent point guard 4 or 5 times a game. I watched him school a young Luke Ridenour at Oregon for 22 and then bust a 3 to win the game. He has been on the Canadian National team several times and had the time of his life playing for Canada at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This 5'9" burner has played in every corner of the world and has some great stories of seeing the change that happens when we put God first in our lives."  Lefteris: "Hello, 2 good choices with FIBA WC participation are George Papadakos and Tom Kappos. Just curious who proposed Vourtzoumis or Maniatis? The above 2 Canadian-Greekshave far better career, even without counting Greek ball experience." Mike Milne Head Coach University of Western Ontario Women's Basketball: "John Stiefalmeyer is arguable one of the greatest CIS players ever. Player of the Year, National Champion, OFSAA gold medallist. Only a serious knee injury prevented a great national team/professional career." Ibrahim: I've also gotta give props to Jason "J.J." Brade. He was 6-4, athletic, and was a natural scoring guard, not a forward. He also played back in the glory days of West Island basketball, when we were running things even more than Sun Youth for awhile. I wish there was more coverage of ball back then, so guys like J could have gotten the props they deserved. Hey, check out QHoops.net in the next few weeks for Greatest Quebec 'Ballers of All Time! Paul Eberhardt: I believe you should add Brent Watson to your top 100 list. He was the two time MVP of the BC 'AAA' High School Championships in 1961 and 1962, with his team winning it all in 1961. He went on to star at Washington State for three years. He is easily one of the best players ever to come out of BC. Shawna Gaborieau: I am very surprised and somewhat disappointed that you have left these two gentlemen - Dan Becker and Ken Opalko - off your list.  Their contributions to the community alone should qualify them.  Both of these gentlemen played for the national team (in Olympic years) as well as developmental years.  Dan Becker played his first year at St. Joseph's University before transferring to Colorado to finish off a stellar career.  He attended several training camps most notably with the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers.  He played overseas for many years and was a league all-star every year.  He also played in the Maccabbi games in Israel.  He is currently coaching at U of M for Rick Suffield who is on sabbaticcal.  Dan was the choreographer and casting director for A Season On The Brink: The Bobby Knight Story.  Ken Opalko, well is only the leading scorer in the history of Canadian University basketball--BEFORE A THREE POINT LINE !!!  Many observers of the game say (including the late Carl Ridd) that if there had been a three point line Opalko's total would have been much more than it currently is, about 3500 points.  Opalko turned down countless offers to play in Europe.  He remains here in the community teaching at MBCI.  His son Matthew currently wears a Wesmen uniform as Ken did also.  Please consider these two players to be added to your list.  I assure you that they are more deserving of such an honor than the likes of Mustafa Cetin and others who perhaps have not yet earned their place here.  Thank you for your time." Editor's Note: The editor played on the same high school team as Ken Opalko for three years in high school starting at the forward opposite him when DMCI won the provincial title. Red Sox: Consideration has to be given to David Zanatta from Sault Ste. Marie.  He played at Lakehead for 3 years I believe and is third on  their all time scoring list. (Before a three point line)  Saw him play a number of times in S. Ont.  Twice Jack Donahue was there looking at him.  I think if he had been a better acadamic he would of gone a long way nationally.  This was at the same time as Eli Pasquale. Saw them both, think Zanatta was better in the games I saw.   Taffe Charles: You should have Brian Leonard on the list of the top 300. Carleton University and Simon Frasor and played with Student National Team is FISU games   Gerry Hug: How bout.Gary Edgers-won a national championship for mal. Battled Steve Nash in high school and always got the best of him. If anyone asked Steve Nash who Gary Edgers was he would tell you! Gene Wolff-simply the best all native basketball player right now present. Dont know one person that can stop him whos native and also non-native. Willis Parnell-won a national championship at U Vic. I'm saying these native basketball players because I dont see them on on your list. these few players here have accomplished a lot in there day."   Editor's Note: Editor spend this year coaching three days a week on a reserve in Northern Alberta and also travels to various reserves in the north to coach hoops. Also read this story on North America's first all First Nations pro basketball team ready to play in ABA.   Scott Walton: With some of the names on the list, I can't help to think that Derek Welsh (Pitt Meadows, SFU) should be on there.  BC high school MVP and at one point SFU all time assists leader.  Also, Aaron Mitchell(Terry Fox, Langara, Brandon) should be on there as well.  Part of a dynasty at Fox and put up huge numbers at Langara.   L. Cahill: Just came across your site and your Top 100. I'd like to suggest a couple of outstanding players for consideration. Val Pozzan was the premier guard in Ontario College with George Brown in the '70's and Wayne Allison as a Hall of Famer at Wooster, Ohio and the University of Windsor.   Coach: How about John Ryan and Dave Nutbrown for your list. Ryan played at UCCB for five years. Was an All-Canadian for at least three of those five. Made two trips to CIS Nationals. Played with many of the players on your list in our national program. Captain of the junior men's program. One of the best HS players the maritimes has ever seen. Held his own with anybody in Canada. Nutbrown tore up the Maritimes way back in the late 60's and early 70's. Many people say he was one of the all time greats. Good enough to be asked to tryout with the Knicks back when they were making their championship runs in the early 70's Rick Hunger - 6'10" big man from Montreal. Played at Providence College, sevral years on the national team and pro ball in Europe.  Bobby Miller - 5'11" guard from Montreal, MVP for 3 years at New Hampshire College (NCAA Div.2), played 1 year of pro ball in Lebanon Glenn Campbell: Tom Cholock of Carleton 78-79 was the finest big man I have ever seen at the college level. His stats over the two years he played proved this. Six-foot eight of jump shooting smoothness and a ferocious rebounder, he averaged close to thirty points per game his freshman year in the CIAU!  Tom lost his dream of becoming a member of the RCMP because of colour blindness and quit school.What a shame for all basketball fans of the CIAU. Mark Wacyk: Rocky and Cordell Llewellyn from Toronto George Harvey in the 1980's.  Rocky Lu played 4 years at St. Bonaventure and Bobby Lu played at 3 U.S. schools including Wake Forest. Captain Canada to the Hoop Steve Nash leads Canuck All Star NBA Parade   Canadians in the NBA    (Story courtesy NBA Canada. List compiled by Curtis J. Phillips) Seventeen Canadian basketball players have laced up their sneakers to play in the NBA, including four individuals who are part of the league's 2003-04 season. Forward Rick Fox has won three NBA Championship rings (2000, 2001 and 2002) as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Fox, who was selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 1991 NBA Draft, averaged nine points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 2002-03. Born in Toronto, ON, Fox played with the Celtics for six seasons before joining the Lakers as a free agent in 1997. In 2002, after one season with the New Jersey Nets, centre Todd MacCulloch of Winnipeg, MB returned to the team that selected him in the second round of the 1999 NBA Draft: the Philadelphia 76ers. MacCulloch, who was placed on the injured list in February 2003 with left and right foot neuropathy, also has undergone treatment for symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth. In 42 games in 2002-03, he averaged 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. In 2002-03, Jamaal Magloire started a career high 82 games for the Hornets. Toronto native and New Orleans Hornets centre Jamaal Magloire established a number of career highs in his third NBA season, recording 10.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Selected by the Hornets as the 19th overall pick in the NBA Draft 2000, Magloire finished his career at the University of Kentucky as the school's all-time leader with 268 blocked shots. Victoria, BC native and Dallas Mavericks guard Steve Nash notched 17.7 points and 7.3 assists per game in 2002-03. The two-time NBA All-Star was drafted by Phoenix as the 15th pick overall in the 1996 NBA Draft and spent two seasons with the Suns before being traded to the Mavs in June 1998. In addition to his professional play, Nash is a key member of Canada's senior men's national basketball team. Former NBA players Brian Heaney and Leo Rautins remain involved in the game as basketball analysts on NBA telecasts, while Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Jay Triano is the head coach of Canada's senior men's national basketball team and an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. The following Canadians have played in the NBA (current players in bold): Norm Baker Chicago 46-47 Hank Biasatti Toronto 46-47 Ron Crevier Golden State, Detroit 85-86 Selected by Chicago, 1983 NBA Draft, 75th pick Rick Fox Boston 91-92 to 96-97 LA Lakers 97-98 to present Selected by Boston, 1991 NBA Draft, 24th pick Stewart Granger Cleveland 83-84 Atlanta 84-85 New York 86-87 Selected by Cleveland, 1983 NBA Draft, 24th pick Lars Hansen Seattle 78-79 Selected by Chicago, 1976 NBA Draft, 37th pick Brian Heaney Baltimore 69-70 Selected by Baltimore, 1969 NBA Draft, 215th pick Bob Houbregs Milwaukee and Baltimore 53-54 Baltimore-Boston-Fort Wayne 54-55 Fort Wayne/Detroit 55-56 to 57-58 Selected by Milwaukee, 1953 NBA Draft Todd MacCulloch Philadelphia 99-00 and 00-01 New Jersey 01-02 Philadelphia 02-03 to present Selected by Philadelphia, 1999 NBA Draft, 47th pick Jamaal Magloire Charlotte/New Orleans 00-01 to present Selected by Charlotte, 2000 NBA Draft, 19th pick Steve Nash Phoenix 96-97 and 97-98 Dallas 98-99 to present Selected by Phoenix, 1996 NBA Draft, 15th pick Leo Rautins Philadelphia 83-84 Atlanta 84-85 Selected by Philadelphia, 1983 NBA Draft, 17th pick Mike Smrek Chicago 85-86 LA Lakers 86-87 to 87-88 San Antonio 88-89 Golden State 89-90 Golden State, Clippers 90-91 Golden State 91-92 Selected by Portland, 1985 NBA Draft, 25th pick Gino Sovran Toronto 46-47 Ernie Vandeweghe New York 49-50 to 53-54 and 55-56 Selected by New York, 1949 NBA Draft Bill Wennington Dallas 85-86 to 89-90 Sacramento 90-91 and 99-00 Chicago 93-94 to 98-99 Selected by Dallas, 1985 NBA Draft, 16th pick Jim Zoet Detroit 82-83   Additional Canadians drafted by NBA teams: Mike Brkovich Milwaukee, 1981 NBA Draft, 181st David Coulthard Detroit, 1982 NBA Draft, 214th Bob Croft Boston, 1970 NBA Draft, 123rd Mickey Fox Detroit, 1975 NBA Draft, 169th Portland, 1979 NBA Draft, 56th Joe Kazanowski Dan Meagher Utah, 1983 NBA Draft, 146th Chicago, 1985 NBA Draft, 125th Perry Mirkovich Barry Mungar Portland, 1980 NBA Draft, 125th Washington, 1986 Draft, 82nd William Njoku Indiana, 1994 NBA Draft, 41st Eli Pasquale Seattle, 1984 NBA Draft, 106th George Rautins Buffalo, 1975 NBA Draft, 158th Tony Simms Karl Tilleman New York, 1983 NBA Draft 128th pick Denver, 1984 NBA Draft, 79th Phil Tollestrop Jay Triano Buffalo 1973 NBA Draft 211th LA Lakers, 1981 NBA Draft, 179th Greg Wiltjer Chicago, 1984 NBA Draft, 43rd * Some players may be added to above list. For example current Philadelphia 76er's Samuel Dalembert came to Canada from Haiti when he was 14 and really only played two years of organized basketball here before relocating to the U.S. of A and he has never taken out Canadian citzenship. Former L.A. Laker's guard Michael Penberthy once talked about becoming a Canadian citizen as the California natives mother is from London Ontario. Norm Baker Norman Henry Baker (Norm)Position: G Height: 6' 0'' Weight: 180 Born: 2/17/1923, Canada College: none, McGill? Hank Biasatti Henry Arcado Biasatti (Hank)Position: G Height: 5' 11'' Weight: 175 Born: 1/14/1922, in Beano, ItalyDied: 1/1/1996 College: Assumption, LIU? Ron Crevier Ronald Joseph Oscar Camille Crevier (Ron)Position: F Height: 7' 0'' Weight: 235 Born: 4/14/1958, in Montreal, QU, High School: Dawson, in Montreal, QU College: Boston College Rick Fox Ulrich Alexander Fox (Rick)Position: F Height: 6' 7'' Weight: 230 Born: 7/24/1969, in Toronto, ON High School: Warsaw Community, in Warsaw, IN College: North Carolina Drafted: 1991, 1st round (24th overall)   Stewart Granger Stewart Francis GrangerPosition: G Height: 6' 3'' Weight: 190 Born: 10/27/1961, in Montreal, QU High School: Nazareth Regional, in Brooklyn, NY College: Villanova Drafted: 1983, 1st round (24th overall) Lars Hansen Lars HansenPosition: C Height: 6' 10'' Weight: 225 Born: 9/14/1954, in Copenhagen, Denmark College: Washington Brian Heaney Brian Patrick HeaneyPosition: G Height: 6' 2'' Weight: 180 Born: 9/3/1946, High School: Ethel Knight, in LaGrange, GA College: Acadia Bob Houbregs Robert J. Houbregs (Bob, Houby)Position: C Height: 6' 7'' Weight: 210 Born: 3/12/1932, in Vancouver, BC High School: Queen Anne, in Seattle, WA College: Washington Drafted: 1953, 1st round (3rd overall)     Todd Macculloch Todd Carlyle MacCullochPosition: C Height: 7' 0'' Weight: 280 Born: 1/27/1976, in Winnipeg, MAN High School: Shaftesbury, in Winnipeg MAN CAN College: Washington Jamaal Magloire Jamal Dane MagloirePosition: C Height: 6' 11'' Weight: 259 Born: 5/21/1978, in Toronto High School: Eastern School of Commerce, in Toronto College: Kentucky Drafted: 2000, 1st round (19th overall) Steve Nash Stephen John Nash (Steve)Position: G Height: 6' 3'' Weight: 195 Born: 2/7/1974, in Johannesburg, South Africa High School: St. Michael's, in Victoria BC CAN College: Santa Clara Drafted: 1996, 1st round (15th overall)   Leo Rautins Leo R. RautinsPosition: F Height: 6' 8'' Weight: 215 Born: 3/20/1960, in Toronto, ON High School: St. Michael's, in Toronto CAN, ON College: Syracuse, Minnesota Drafted: 1983, 1st round (17th overall)   Mike Smrek Michael Frank Smrek (Mike)Position: C Height: 7' 0'' Weight: 250 Born: 8/31/1962, in Welland, ON High School: Eastdale, in Port Robinson, ON College: Canisius Gino Sovran Gino SovranPosition: F Height: 6' 2'' Weight: 175 Born: 12/17/1924, in Windsor, ON College: Detroit, Assumption (ONT) Ernie Vandeweghe Ernest Maurice Vandeweghe (Ernie, Doc)Position: F Height: 6' 3'' Weight: 195 Born: 9/12/1928, in Montreal, QU High School: Oceanside, in Oceanside, NY College: Colgate, Columbia Med. School (grad)   Bill Wennington William Percey Wennington (Bill)Position: C Height: 7' 0'' Weight: 245 Born: 12/26/1963, in Montreal, QU High School: Long Island Lutheran, in Brookville, NY College: St. John's (NY) Drafted: 1985, 1st round (16th overall) Jim Zoet Jim ZoetPosition: C Height: 7' 1'' Weight: 240 Born: 12/20/1953, in Uxbridge, ON High School: Port Perry, in Port Perry, CAN, ON College: Kent State info@recreation.com