NEWS

Grassroots Canada Surprise at Pitt Jam Fest (2007-04-25, Hooplife.ca)

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The 2007 Pitt Jam Fest closed out with a surprise tournament winner and the young players in the field made sure people know about what they are all about.

Surprise, surprise

Grassroots Canada decided early that they weren't going to be pushed around. Ro Russell's team knocked off tournament favorite Boo Williams in the first round of the playoffs. Then the Juice All-Stars. The Arkansas Hawks were next, then the Southeast Elite before beating the D1 Greyhounds to win the tournament.

The kids from Canada had it rolling all weekend thanks in large part to the play of junior guard Devoe Joseph, who scored 15 points in the championship game.

The 6-foot-2 combo guard made shots; tough shots, easy shots, three-pointers, mid range jumpers and broke guys down with the dribble to get to the basket. He said he came to Pittsburgh in order to get his recruitment a shot in the arm. Job well done. Joseph was outstanding in every game he played.

Curtis Trotter, an unsigned senior, was also big time in the game. The 6-foot-6 forward from Henry Carr High School may have played himself into an Atlantic 10 level offer.
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Grassroots Canada (2007 GBOAHOOPS.COM)

Grassroots Canada is a non-profit organization which looks to expose, develop, and educate the top student-athletes in Canada, in order to be successful young men and women in the community and country. Over 200 alumni have gone on to various NCAA Division I and II, NAIA and Junior College institutions as well as numerous prep schools in the US. Grassroots Canada has become a fixture in the US youth basketball culture. When one talks about elite youth basketball programs and players, Grassroots Canada is mentioned by coaches, scouts, and fans alike.

Notable Accomplishments:
-1st Canadian Team ever to win a major tournament (Pitt Jam Fest '07)
-1st Canadian Team to be ranked no. 1 team in the US (April '07)
-Have had 18 players attend ABCD and RBK U camps (Olu Ashaolu ranked 2 at RBK U July '07)
-9 Players attend Nike All American Camp
-10 Players attend NBA top 100 Camp
-Ranked no.1 team in Canada for last 15 years
-Over 40 alumni played in or are playing professionally in Europe
-2 Alumni played in the NBDL
-Deham Brown was an NCAA National Champion with UConn (2005)
-Silver Medal showing in 2001 Douai World Champions (lost to US by 3)
-Currently Sponsored by Adidas
-Boys Elite teams from 13u to 17U
-NBA Alumni: 1 (Denham Brown)
-NCAA Alums: 100+

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