Brampton’s Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow is confident in reaching his ultimate goal of making it to the NBA.
The 19-year-old was selected as one of the 24 best players in the nation to showcase their talents at the 2022 BioSteel All-Canadian Games in Toronto – a weekend consisting of skills challenges, presentations, and basketball games in its first event since 2019.
Gilgeous-Glasgow won the 2-Ball Skills Challenge alongside Mississauga’s Lemyah Hilton, last Saturday, and was part of Team Red in the game on Sunday.
“It was good to get out here and play against the best (in the country),” he said, after Team Red beat Team White 135-120. “We got the dub, that’s all that matters.”
The high school prospect has dreams of making it big and following in the footsteps of two family members who are currently in the NBA – Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Utah guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Both Canadians also previously participated in and played against each other in the 2016 BioSteel All-Canadian Games.
“I look up to (Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker),” he said. “I’m always around them, so basketball has always been a part of my life.
“It would be awesome to play with them since we grew up together.”
Having a big, basketball-oriented family has strongly impacted Gilgeous-Glasgow’s growth as a player and gives him the confidence he needs heading towards college and future aspirations.
The six-foot-two point guard just came off the 2021-22 OSBA season with United Scholastic Academy averaging 13.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 6.5 APG, and 2.8 SPG in 13 games played.
2022 PG Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow is the starting PG on the top team in the country 🇨🇦 @UnitedScholasti. Controlled, reliable, decisive. Makes the right play and takes what D gives him. Gets everyone involved and defends! Any team that needs a floor general should be all over him pic.twitter.com/4AX6yREKV0
— Wes Brown (@wesblairbrown) December 9, 2021
He led the team in assists as the starting point guard, which also featured other BioSteel All-Canadian participants Vasean Allette, Efeosa Oliogu, Armani Mighty, and Ose Okojie.
United Scholastic Academy finished the regular season with a 14-2 record and moved on to reach the OSBA Final 8 Championships, where they lost to Fort Erie International Academy in the Final last April.
Gilgeous-Glasgow is determined to make a name for himself and continue working on his game, particularly his shooting.
“Probably just shooting, off the dribble and off the catch and shoot, that’s about it,” he said in response to what his biggest weaknesses are.
He believes defence and playmaking are his best skills.
The Class of 2022 student-athlete is yet to commit to a college but plans to this summer.
