Courtesy: Huskie Athetics

By Wray Morrison

Emphasis on defense

Huskies are “on guard” for 2023-24 season

Jul 3, 2023 | 12:30 PM

The Huskie men’s basketball team will have no shortage of guards on the floor when training camp starts during the third week of August at the Ron and Jane Graham Gymnasium at Merlis Belsher Place. All of Saskatchewan’s guards from last season return for the 2023-24 season, and some new recruits have the coaching staff looking forward to the start of training camp next month.

Coach Jamie Campbell has a strong philosophy for success. “It starts with our defense”, he said. “It’s what you can control every day. You can’t promise me that you are going to make jump shots, but you can promise that you are going to defend. The best teams in our conference are very good defensively.”

Injuries played a major role in Saskatchewan’s 5 and 15 conference record last season. Campbell has put an added emphasis on depth at the guard position for that very reason. Tyrese Potoma and Alex Dewar logged too much court time out of necessity last season.

“There would be weekends when Alex would play 75 minutes out of 80 minutes”, said Campbell. “It’s unfair! This will allow them to bring their minutes down which will allow them to play fresher and be better.” Potoma had 59 defensive rebounds last season, Dewar had 54.

Last season’s early exit provides added drive. “We were done February 11^th”, said Campbell. “We were still watching other conferences play. That wasn’t exciting. It has led to some good motivation coming back.” With just one graduating player and talented recruits coming in, coaches and veterans alike can’t wait to get back on the court.

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Emmanuel Bonsu will be one of the new players joining the Huskies for training camp. The 6’2” guard from Montreal played college basketball at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. “He’s a high-end defender”, said Campbell. “He’s someone who can get after the opponents’ best players but also get downhill, finish around the rim, and score. We’re looking forward to having him for the next three years.”

Also arriving in Saskatoon next month will be 6’4” guard Kymahni Bent out of Toronto. He played collegiate basketball at Southwestern Illinois in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference. Campbell describes Bent as a long explosive athlete. “He can help shore up our perimeter defense. He has an ability to defend the basketball and get out in transition. These are things that we needed more depth in last season.”

When asked if Bonsu and Bent could be starters this season, Campbell said “We’ll see. That’s why we have camp in August. They have the talent to come in and push some older guys.”

Guard Dylan Miller from Calgary and forward Easton Thimm from Holy Cross Highschool in Saskatoon will be among other newcomers that will join an experienced Huskie basketball team for the upcoming season.

The 2023-24 conference schedule begins on Friday November 3^rd when the Huskies visit the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton.

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

@wraymorrison