First China, Now Mexico
Desmarais to Compete at National Level for Second Time in as Many Months
On Oct. 4, Concordia Stingers guard Kyle Desmarais had the honour of being called up to serve on the National Men’s Basketball team for the 2011 Pan Am Games in Mexico.
Desmarais has only been active at the national level since August, when he and other collegiate standouts formed part of the National Development team for the World University Games held in Shenzen, China.
“Playing against professionals is definitely going to elevate my game,” Stingers guard Kyle Desmarais.
Their performance clinched them the silver medal, the first time in 14 years that the Canadian team had managed to snag a spot higher than bronze on the podium at the Games.
Though Desmarais suffered a leg injury that has hampered his play in the preseason warm-up for the Stingers, he sees this opportunity to again represent Canada as one that will better him as a basketball player and enhance his contributions in the Stingers’ quest to bring home the Conference championship.
“Playing against professionals is definitely going to elevate my game. It’s going to make me a smarter player; going to make me a stronger player,” he said.
Desmarais said he’s looking forward to playing with other strong players like himself with a strong passion for winning, and making his country proud by hopefully bringing home a gold medal.
Team Canada will have to contend with basketball powerhouse Argentina, host Mexico and Puerto Rico to escape the group stage and keep medal hopes alive, however.
Their first game is against tourney favourites Argentina on Oct. 26 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
