Around the Perimeter: Hoops and hope; Carleton, Canada fourth at World Cup

‘Forever legacy’ courts are open for play; Bridget Carleton, London Ramblers alumna, finishes 4th with Canada at FIBA World Cup; NBLC looks back, plans for No. 11. Columnist Jason Winders has the latest hoops news & notes …

The City of London officially opened ‘Our London Family Courts’ in West Lions Park Saturday, Sept. 24. (Photo: Jason Winders).

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STARTING FIVE

1. Canada takes on the world. Team Canada looked to be back among the best in the world in the FIBA World Cup in Australia (considered the biggest non-Olympic tournament in the sport), right up until running into the Americans and host Australians in the final games. The women’s squad finished fourth in the tourney, which ended early Sunday morning EST, a solid place to build from after the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics where Canada entered as the No. 4 team in the world and was bounced in pool play.

Canada was led by a pair of WNBA standouts, including London Ramblers alumna Bridget Carleton.

In the tourney, Canada finished Group B play at 4-1, after defeating Serbia (67-60), France (59-45), Japan (70-56), and Mali (88-65), losing only to Australia (75-72). They downed Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals (79-60) before running into a couple of buzzsaws in their old foes the United States (83-43), in the semifinals, and host Australians (95-65) in the third-place game.

Carleton was a force in the group round, averaging 14.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in five games. Her top performance was a 27-point effort (which included going 7-8 from 3) against Mali.

In the elimination round, she continued her outstanding play, being named a top performer against the United States after leading the team in rebounds (5) and steals (2), while contributing 6 points. She then followed that performance with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists against Australia.

2. Speaking of Bridget. Carleton, the 25-year-old Minnesota Lynx guard/forward, recently wrapped her fourth WNBA season with career highs in total points (156) and 3-pointers made (29). In the 2022 season, she averaged 4.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Carleton notched double-digit scoring twice this season, scoring 11 (4-7 FG, 2-4 3PT, 1-1 FT) in a June 12 loss to Indiana and 11 (4-6 FG, 2-4 3PT, 1-2 FT) again in an Aug. 12 loss to Seattle.

The Team Canada standout has evolved into one of the league’s brightest young stars, a key reserve for a team in transition. The Lynx (14-22) missed the playoffs this year, finishing 12 games back of the Las Vegas Aces in the Western Conference. Minnesota will be in the draft lottery for the first time in more than a decade.

In December 2021, Carleton signed a one-year qualifying offer that allows the Lynx exclusive negotiating rights with her, keeping the door open for a longer-term extension.

3. ‘Forever legacy’ in West Lions. OK, so saying something, something ‘hoop dreams’ here might seem like a lazy lede to this story, but it’s hard to imagine this dream being realized any better for the community.

Last Saturday (Sept. 24), the City of London officially opened its two newest outdoor basketball courts – and they are incredible. Dubbed Our London Family Courts, this sporting jewel, located in West Lions Park, 20 Granville St., includes two full-sized courts. The asphalt courts include an acrylic surface, along with glass backboards on larger posts, ideal for play at the highest level.

The courts are coloured green and purple, the official symbol of remembrance of Our London Family.

“Sport has a power to unite,” London Mayor Ed Holder said. “This park is intended to commemorate ‘our London family.’ It has brough together so many partners and community members to design and build this exciting facility. This is meaningful. It will have a forever legacy.”

On June 6, 2021, the nation was shocked by the planned killing of five members of a London family out for an evening walk in Hyde Park. Salman Afzaal, 46; Madiha Salman, 44; their daughter, Yumna, 15; and grandmother, Talat Afzaal, 74, died in the attack. The couple’s son, Fayez, 9, was left seriously injured.

In the 15 months since, people from across the city have rallied to make sure the family’s memory becomes one of hope and not hate. They have become known as Our London Family.

“The MLSE Foundation believes in the power of sport to unify communities. We hope that’s exactly what these courts will do. It’s a place where you can come together to learn, to grow, and to support each other,” said Bridgette Estrela, Managing Director, MLSE Foundation & MLSE Social Impact. “We hope these courts serve as a permanent reminder that hate has no home here.”

More than 200 people attended the official opening, which brought together representatives of the city, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), MLSE Foundation, London Muslim Mosque, and members of the community. The project was supported by a $250,000 investment from MLSE.

4. Centres of attention. Cool opportunity for young players. Mustangs Basketball has joined with Ontario Basketball to run both girls and boys Centre of Performance pods led by Women’s Head Coach Nate McKibbon and Men’s Head Coach Brad Campbell. Partnering with 18 OUA schools, these training and development programs are offered in three age groups (10-12, 13-14, and 15-19). Visit the Ontario Basketball website for details.

5. Word from above. NBL Canada Commissioner Audley Stephenson recently sent a letter to fans putting a cap on the 10th anniversary season and looking ahead to the league’s 11th. As part of the message, he announced the release of the 2022 NBL Canada Postseason Yearbook. A pretty cool keepsake from the league that is packed full of stats – and it’s free.

“Time continues to move quickly for the NBLC as the countdown to season 11 steadily moves closer,” Stephenson wrote. “The postseason guide for the 2021-2022 season perfectly and specifically sums up the talent that has made the league what it is in its 10 years of existence. This yearbook further proves that each year for the NBLC is better than the last, and the history runs deep. Join Canada's longest running professional basketball league as we celebrate our longevity, and we look forward to shattering even more records next season!”

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HOOPS NOTES

Ready to showcase your hoops skills and just want to take a short trip down the 401? Register for The Basketball League (TBL) pro combine Oct. 8 in Detroit, Mich. Register here. … This comes to life and murders you in your sleep, right? Or, at least, yells a lot of racist stuff at you. … The Western Gazette stepped out of the Western Bubble and offered a solid overview of area sports as part of its Frosh Issue. … If you’re recruiting against this cold-hearted monster of a coach, just roll out this tape for the player’s family and ask how they would feel sending their daughter to play for someone who built their career and fortune on the back of the free labour of a player she couldn’t even muster a comment for.

BEYOND MY BYLINE

Apologies, you’re going to get sick of book recs over the next few weeks, but I am working my way through some amazing stuff. As we head into the MLB playoffs, it’s a perfect time to pick up The Church of Baseball: The Making of Bull Durham: Home Runs, Bad Calls, Crazy Fights, Big Swings, and a Hit by Ron Shelton. Some wonderful storytelling by the screenwriter and director of this baseball classic about the making of this film. Unlike any movie (or baseball) book you have ever read.