Hugo Moore (16415629)In season 13, World Alliance had a draft for the ages, and it all started with the selection of Hugo Moore in the first round. A versatile player, Moore is capable of helping the team in a variety of roles, and could end up spending plenty of time at the SF position. Wherever he plays, and for however many minutes, Hugo is a guy that always tries to leave the crowd cheering for "Moore."
Kevin O'Dwyer (16414736)Last season, Dwain Hadley and Diant Stronks were two of the biggest stars for the U21, as they battled all season for the title of the utlimate Griffin. It appears that Stronks won out, as Hadley was sold at the end of the season. Into Hadley's place, another great SG has stepped up for Herman Griffins, in the form of Kevin O'Dwyer. O'Dwyer was drafted by the Griffins in the first round of the season 13 draft, and always dreamed of following in the footsteps of Dwain Hadley. This season, O'Dwyer has earned that chance, and he will be counted on to "make it rain" all season long for Team Canada.
Joe-Max Phillips (16415669)Having selected Hugo Moore in the first round of season 13, World Alliance kept the ball rolling in the second round, with the selection of Joe-Max Phillips. Like Moore, Phillips is a solid all around player, and could end up playing heavy minutes at SF. Is it possible that the two main U21 small forwards this season will have been drafted and developed by the same manager? Time will tell, but whatever happens, Phillips and Moore will be looking to show the whole world the power of their alliance on the court.
Delain Sanderson (16416618)The top guard prospect in his age group since day one, Sanderson's progress as a basketball player has not disappointed, and he will be counted on to do some great things for the Canadian U21 team. Having been drafted by the Sunn O)))s in the first round of the season 13 draft, Sanderson has developed there ever since, and has already become a 2 time all-star at the league level. His next challenge will be to step up, and become a star at the international level, and if anyone can do it, it's the guy who is used to playing in the sun.
Jim Tharp (16415817)Few players look as sharp as Mr. Jim Tharp. A precision weapon on the basketball court, there are few things that Tharp can't do with the ball in his hands, or even with the ball not in his hands. Need someone to complete a backflip with a twist alley oop dunk in traffic? Well, Tharp might not pull that kind of move off, but he's willing to try! A season 13 draft pick of Fundamentally Sound, Tharp was quickly sold to No Potential, and he has been playing in the U.S.A. ever since. As yet another member of the strong Canadian guard contingent in season 17, Tharp will be looking to help lead the way either to victory, or to the hospital. For a player like Tharp, there's no third option.
And there we have it, the 11 player opening roster for season 17!
Additional notes:
- every player on the team starting training early in their age 18 season.
- The number of draft and trains is very high, with 8 guys never leaving the Canadian squad that drafted them. The other 3 players were sold right after they were drafted, and haven't moved after that, with 1 player going to Israel, 1 to Serbia, and 1 to the U.S.A.
- none of the opening roster players were rescued by NT saving efforts (which is the first time in recent memory that player saving didn't help provide any of the opening roster players).
- Positionally, we have 2 PGs, 5 SGs, and 4 Cs, but never fear! We have several guys that are well suited to also playing at SF or PF.
Let's hope for another exciting U21 season! :)
Last edited by The Mogul at 8/8/2011 6:33:46 PM