It's Showtime
August 22, 2011 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Mississauga Power News Release
(Toronto, On) The NBL Canada's first ever draft took place on Sunday August 21st and the Oshawa Power took full advantage of their spot atop the selection board. Selecting first overall, 8th and then 15th, the power made Morgan Lewis of Painesville, Ohio the first ever pick in league history. Lewis is a 6'4 guard who attended the University of Findlay. Lewis was truly ecstatic about his top selection and what he brings to the team, " A lot of energy, attitude, I like to dunk, I can't even speak right now, I'm so excited, just a high tempo player and do whatever it takes to make it happen."
Newly minted Power head coach and former NBA player Mark Strickland loves what he's got in the number one pick Lewis, "He's very versatile, he can play the one, the two and the three. He talks on the court. He's very mature, humble and hungry, those are the types of players we're looking for. He was a great pick for us."
The Power then selected Brampton, Ontario big man Kevin Francis with the first pick in the second round. The 6'8" forward is very extremely happy to be picked by the Power, "Feels great being the second pick for this team. Oshawa is close to home, it's a great situation for me. Good time to be in my back yard playing basketball." Coach Strickland had Francis on his short list from the beginning of the combine, "He has size, great hands, active on the defensive end, talking, had a great attitude, so we did really well with those first two picks."
In the third round the Power were very ecstatic to select 6'5" Edmonton, Alberta native Blain Labranche who attended UBC. "I'm glad I'm going to Oshawa, out of the seven teams this is probably the place I wanted to go to the most", said Labranche. He also added, "My strength is three point shooting, but I can get to the hoop, I can finish and get my teammates the ball. Ultimately I like to win, I'm a winner and I'll do anything it takes to win." Coach Strickland also echos those thoughts of Labranche, "Plain shooter, every team needs a shooter, great size and he can post up. Solid player, talks and plays defence and having him there just gave us that third pick punch."
The Power play their first game of the 2011/2012 on Sunday October 30th on the road, against the Quebec Kebs at Laval University.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from August 22, 2011
- It's Showtime - Mississauga Power
- 21 Players Drafted in the Inaugural National Basketball League of Canada Draft - NBL Canada
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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