Imad Qahwash has come full circle ---- literally.
The former Grand River ('06) standout and NCAA D-1 (University of Central Arkansas '11) alum returns to the location of one of the biggest moments in Grand River basketball history as he hosts his inaugural "Tri-City Top 40 Camp" next weekend at RIM Park in Waterloo.
It was just over 6 years ago where the Qahwash-led Renegades qualified for OFSAA for the first time in school history; in their opening round game, the #15-ranked (out of 16) Renegades nearly stunned one of the top teams in the tournament, West Hill CI out of Toronto, before falling in the end as the Warriors made clutch baskets down the stretch.
Fast-forward to present-day, and Qahwash has set up his "Tri-City Top 40 Camp" which runs next weekend (June 1-3) on the same court that he once played. The premise of the camp is to invite 40 of the top junior (grade 9 and 10) players from the CWOSSA region to play together; Qahwash has arranged for various coaches, scouting services, and media to attend, ranging from the local area right up to a broader national stage (NorthPoleHoops.com).
I caught up with Qahwash recently to chat with him about his latest undertaking.
CWOSSABasketball.com: What was your motivation to found this camp?
Imad Qahwash: My motivation to start this camp was a long time coming. Whenever I was
back in town from school for a bit in the summer, kids and parents would
ask me, "when are you going to start your own camp?" Finally, I have
had some downtime and decided to start a camp.
My next idea was to try and bring the best Juniors in the region, I feel like I was a kid who never got the exposure I deserved at a young age until I was on the (Team Ontario) provincial team and won a national championship. My goal is to give these kids exposure at a young age to not only make a name for themselves regionally but, hopefully, nationally as well. The younger these kids are noticed the more doors can be opened to them.
CWOSSABasketball.com: What's special about the "Tri-City Top 40 Camp"? How does it differ from, say, other offerings in the area?
IQ: I don't think any player or coach in this region has done what I have done with the game of basketball, and I think that is why players can relate to me because I have played and have done what they want to do.
I want to show share with them what it will take to get there and this camp will show that. Usually, basketball camps are wide-open for registration; however, this is an invitation only camp for the best players who have earned it. As a result, I feel as though this makes the camp more competitive then any other camp. To my knowledge, there has never been 3 National Basketball Recruiting Sites in one gym to cover an event in this region, so I am bringing that to this camp to give these players a chance to showcase their talents.
CWOSSABasketball.com: What are the benefits to players who have been selected and are able to attend the camp?
IQ: Aside from the information and expertise that I aspire to share with the players next weekend, the games
will be filmed and online profiles will be made in order to expose these players to recruiters on both sides of the border. Dozens of coaches
contact these recruiting services every week and by having a good
showing at this camp it could put you in a good position for further attention.
That being said, just because you have been selected for this camp and attend doesn't mean you're automatically getting an NCAA scholarship, or even playing post-secondary basketball. On the other hand, it puts attendees in a good starting position to be able to achieve their future basketball aspirations.
CWOSSABasketball.com: What will be involved for the campers over the course of the weekend? (Games/drills/etc.)? Has planning this particular camp given you a thought as to make this an annual event, or perhaps expand to other age groups?
IQ: The campers are going to be split into four different teams and will compete and train together with stations, ball handling, drill work and scrimmaging. There will be official referees as well as a constant competitive atmosphere. This camp is meant to be for players seriously wanting take basketball to the next level by giving it everything they can these three days.
As for the future, I am definitely looking to make this an annual event and (hopefully) a measuring stick for players to reach and strive to be selected for. I couldn't be more excited to have the best young players in the region in one place and giving back to them by trying to present an exceptional opportunity to improve on the basketball court.
There have been requests to expand the camp; at this time, I have not decided whether to do that or not because I don't want the talent to diminish but something I will definately look into. As far as other camps, I would also like to do a skills camp for younger (elementary school) kids, but this would be a camp that would be open to all interested players.
Camp Rosters & Preview
It was my pleasure to be involved with Qahwash in helping to identify approximately 80 of the top players in the region; of course, not all of the initial "top 40" are able to attend due to scheduling conflicts and other reasons, however, Qahwash has certainly been able to get together most of the top talent from around the CWOSSA region.
In fact, he has 4 of the 5 members of my "All-CWOSSA" first team participating, as well as 2 players from my second team All-CWOSSA selections. Here's a look at the rosters:
"Team UNC "
Arshid Babury, Huron Heights (5'10" G)
TJ Lall, Galt Collegiate (6'3" G)
Harnoor Samra, Centennial CVI (6'0" G)
Vlad Vamanu, JF Ross (6'0" G)
David Khayipangi, Lourdes (6'2" F)
Greg Schwann, JF Ross (6'5" F)
Zaigham Ali, Centennial (6'1" G)
Matt Minutillo, North Park (5'10" G)
Tommy Yanchus, JF Ross (6'1" G)
George Dumitru, St. David (5'9" G)
"Team Arkansas"
Adam MacEachern, Bishop Macdonell (5'11" G)
Josh McEachern, Centre Wellington (6'3" G/F)
Andrew Folkerson, JF Ross (6'4" F)
James Scott, Centre Wellington (6'0" G)
Bojan Vincic, Waterloo CI (5'8" G)
Ahmed Radi, Huron Heights (6'0" G)
Mike Blumel, St. Mary's (6'5" F)
John Kusinski, Lourdes (5'10" G)
Adi Trtovac, Grand River (6'1" G)
Alvaro Saluta, Assumption (5'6" G)
"Team Syracuse"
Jermaine Lyle, St. Mary's (6'0" G)
Austin Tlustos, Assumption (5'10" G)
Joey Hasson, St. James (6'0" G)
Jamari Stephenson, St. Mary's (6'2" G)
Nathan Riley, St. Mary's (6'0" G)
AK Rai, North Park (5'10" G)
Connor Kuzmich, St. John's (5'9" G)
Quinn Feeney, St. James (6'0" G)
James McBride, St. David (5'6" G)
Nedim Hodzic, SJAM (6'3" F)
"Team Kentucky"
Elijah Callender, Forest Heights (6'0" G)
Jamal Murray, Grand River (6'2" G)
Mitchell Marquis, St. James (5'9" G)
Craig Valeriote, Lourdes (5'11" G)
Brett Parrott, SJAM (6'5" F)
Bronson Botehlo, St. Mary's (6'2" F)
Adrian Mendoza, St. John's (5'7" G)
Ryan Timms, North Park (6'0" G)
Murtada Khamis, Grand River (5'10" G)
Noel Bomberry, Brantford CI (6'0" G)
Mark's Top Prospects
Mark's Top Prospects
As many would agree, the "junior years" are the years that we see the most development and change among players --- not only from a physical standpoint, but a skills-level as well.
For instance, we see many players shoot up their school's depth charts, while players who may be very good junior players have difficulty making the transition to the senior levels. Basically, I wouldn't be surprised to see some "unexpected performances" in this camp!
As for my "top 10" recruits entering the camp, here's my view:
1. Jamal Murray (6'2" G - Grand River)
Murray has tremendous length at the guard spot, great range on his jumper and an ability to finish inside. Furthermore, he's got the "killer instinct" that you love to see --- as evidenced by his several game-winning buzzer beaters this past season. Oh, and he's only grade 9. I expect to see him playing senior ball at Grand River next year, for what it's worth.
2. Josh McEachern (6'3" G/F - CWDHS)
Arguably one of the best all-around players in CWOSSA; he's a constant threat to put up big numbers not only from a scoring perspective, but rebounding and assists as well.
3. Mike Blumel (6'5" F - St. Mary's)
Blumel shot out of the gates in grade 9 as a key performer on St. Mary's CWOSSA silver-medal junior team, and added the gold to his medal collection this past season. Has significantly improved his outside shooting from a season ago --- could afford to add even more bulk to make him even more of a threat at the senior level. Of course, he already owns a dunk in a senior D8 league game, so I think we'll see him make a smooth transition next season.
4. Andrew Folkerson (6'4" F - JF Ross)
After missing most of his grade 9 season due to a broken leg, Folkerson certainly did what he could to make up for lost time this year. A 15-point, 18-rebound performance in the CWOSSA championship game was a memorable performance, especially against a very strong St. Mary's team. Tremendous competitor and a great nose for the ball.
5. Murtada Khamis (5'10" G - Grand River)
Arguably the quickest PG in CWOSSA, Khamis carved up defenders with regularity in the WCSSAA league. He's a creative finisher, and solid on the defensive end as well --- especially in Grand River's pressing defensive packages.
6. Jermaine Lyle (6'0" G - St. Mary's)
Lyle, one of the top two newcomers to CWOSSA 'ball this past season, was a tremendous asset to the Eagles. I'm particularly impressed with his defensive abilities and positioning, but he was a threat to go for 20+ almost every time on the court as well.
7. David Khayipangi (6'2" F - Lourdes)
Here's an under-the-radar guy playing at the AA CWOSSA level that I think you'll see big things from going forward --- he was only in grade nine this past season and still put home one of the most impressive performances I saw in person, a 28-point effort (of Lourdes' 45) in a semifinal loss to Jean Vanier of Richmond Hill, one of the Top 10 GTA junior teams this past season.
8. Nathan Riley (6'1" G - St. Mary's)
Riley is a smooth player who made tremendous strides from a season ago. He's a competent shooter, but is able to contort and finish in the lane (and through contact) in a variety of ways. He went off for a balanced 21 point, 7 rebound, 6 assist effort in this year's D8 championship game.
9. Vlad Vamanu (6'0" G - JF Ross)
Fearless would be a word to describe Vamanu, who is a "scrappy" (I mean that in a good way) competitor. Solid defensively, and isn't afraid to step in and take the charge.
10. TJ Lall (6'3" G - Galt Collegiate)
Lall provides nice size at the guard spot, and has length to be able to block shots as well.
