Richmond’s Victor Radocaj has been named to Canada’s 12-player roster for next week’s FIBA U16 Americas Championship in Formosa, Argentina.
The 6-foot-7 standout learned he would be in national team colours on Tuesday following an extensive tryout process at the University of Toronto – Mississauga. Radocaj was the lone B.C. player invited to the final 17-player selection camp.
Team Canada will continue to train in Toronto before leaving for Argentina on Friday for pre-tournament training, prior to tipping-off against the host country to open preliminary round play on June 14.
Canada will look to qualify for its fifth consecutive U17 World Championship and is currently ranked No. 3 in the FIBA Youth Men Rankings.
"We're pleased with the competiveness of this tryout and we're excited to continue working with these young men as we prepare for the FIBA Americas," said Canadian head coach Craig Beaucamp.
Radocaj came through the Richmond Youth Basketball League (RYBL) before moving onto the Richmond Olympic Oval-based DRIVE Academy. Last summer, he played for Basketball B.C.’s U15 provincial team.
He was a dominant force this past high school season with the McMath Wildcats juvenile boys team. He also made his presence felt as a frequent call-up with the Wildcats senior boys team. Radocaj led McMath to a season-opening upset win over No. 1 ranked Steveston-London, scoring a game-high 28 points.
He still has another year of eligibility for the U16 national team program. His father Zoran will be accompanying him to Argentina.
The rest of the Canadian roster includes: Charles Bediako (6-foot-9, Brampton, ON), Matteus Case (6-foot-3, Pickering, ON), Jefferson Koulibaly (6-foot-3, Montreal, QC), Benjamin Krikke (6-foot-7, Edmonton, AB), Cashius McNeilly (6-foot-5, Scarborough, ON), Malachi Ndur (6-foot-6, St. Thomas, ON), Alexander Nwagha (6-foot-7, Toronto, ON), Shemar Rathan-Mayes (5-foot-8, Toronto, ON), Luka Sakota (6-foot-4, Etobicoke, ON), Paris Shand (6-foot-6, Toronto, ON) and Taryn Todd (6-foot-1, Vaughn, ON).
Joining Beaucamp (University of Victoria) on the bench will be assistants Rob Smart (Carleton University), Patrick Tatham (McMaster University), and Michael Meeks (Canada Basketball). Steve Konchalski (Canada Basketball) will also join as the mentor coach.
