The Carleton University Ravens will join the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and Grant MacEwan University Griffins in the annual exhibition tournament at the Physical Activity Complex (PAC) on the U of S campus this week.
A perennial U Sports powerhouse is among the teams competing at the 2024 Ron and Jane Graham Shootout.
The Carleton University Ravens will join the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies, University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and Grant MacEwan University Griffins in the annual exhibition tournament at the Physical Activity Complex (PAC) on the U of S campus this week.
The three-day tournament kicks off Thursday with six games over three days at the PAC.
“We’re excited to be able to have a tournament with teams like Carleton, UBC and MacEwan here,” said Huskies head coach Jamie Campbell.
“To bring in teams like that for us, being a young team, it was what we were really looking for. When we made our pre-season schedule there, we’re getting opportunities to play teams like that, so for our guys can really see and get a chance to compete, and then learn. For a young team, that’s the best way to learn, just go and play some of the top teams in the country right away and then we can learn from the film and see where we are.
“Thursday night will be an exciting one against Carleton.”
Campbell described his team in one word: “Young.”
“Lots of guys under the age of 20,” noted Campbell, whose team opens against Carleton on Thursday (7 p.m.) after losing eight players from last season’s lineup.
Graduates included Alex Dewar, Chan De Ciman, Tyrese Potoma, Noah Nickel and Fisayo Moibi. Out-of-province players Kymahni Bent and Erwin Loic aren’t back this season, either.
“That’s the biggest thing we say to the guys: how do you replace the guys that you lost? Every year, everybody goes out and recruits talent, but you look for great people and great leaders and that’s what we’re looking for,” said Campbell.
Among the returning players is 6-foot-9 Easton Thimm, who was the Canada West rookie of the year last season.
“He’s gotten much bigger and stronger,” noted Campbell. “We’re really excited about where he’s going to be. He’s probably the main piece there.”
The Huskies expect 6-foot-2 guard Emanuel Bonsu to take an expanded role in his second season with the squad — “he’s another guy who played good minutes for us last year, kind of off the bench, probably around 20 minutes a night” — as well as seven-footer Ryker Wuttke, who is entering his final year of U Sports eligibility.
“He controls the paint, blocks lots of shots and he’s really worked on his finishing around the rim,” noted Campbell.
“He’s ready to have a great fifth year for us.”
Co-captain Griffin Sharkey — described as “a really good shooter” — also returns to the Huskies for his fifth year of eligibility.
Newcomers include local products Dillyn Morin from the Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders and Owen Murphy-Wiebe from the Aden Bowman Bears, as well as Calgary product Freddy Kapinga, who will make his debut Thursday.
Murphy-Wiebe’s dad, Dean, played for the Huskies and his sister, Ella, plays for the U of S women’s basketball squad.
“(Murphy-Wiebe) shot the ball well throughout our pre-season camp here,” noted Campbell.
DOG TALES: Saskatchewan will play in the Canada West conference’s Prairie Division this season. The Huskies will open the regular season Nov. 1 in Calgary and will host the Manitoba Bisons in their regular-season home-opener Nov. 8 at the PAC on the U of S campus.
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