It's no secret Canada Basketball has been taking big steps forward in recent years, and this summer a new level of success was achieved with Bison men's basketball coach
Kirby Schepp overseeing it. Back in April, Canada's men's basketball team earned their first ever medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia, winning silver. For this performance, Schepp and the team were awarded at last night's 41st Canadian Sport Awards, named Summer Team of the Year.
The Canadian Sport Awards, returning for the first time since 2012, is the premier event for honouring sport achievement and leadership recognition in the country.
Canada's silver at the Commonwealth Games came on an 87-47 loss to host Australia, but the leadup to that point was dramatic. Alberta product Mamadou Gueye sunk a game-winner at the buzzer against New Zealand in the semi-final to get Canada to that point.
Besides Schepp, Bison men's basketball alum
Justus Alleyn was a significant contributor on the team, with a tournament high of 24 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block in an 82-67 win over Nigeria.
Schepp has spent the last eight summers representing his country on a variety of teams, including the gold medal winning team at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017 and the bronze medal winning team at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Men.
Since joining the Bisons, Schepp has coached Manitoba to four Canada West playoff appearances and one appearance at the U SPORT Final 8 in 2017. Schepp begins his tenth season at the helm of the Bison men's basketball program in 2018-19, with the season beginning at Brandon on October 26-27, 2018.
