Aquille Carr, Overseas Pros and Major League Basketball
If you’re surprised Aquille Carr is skipping college to play pro basketball overseas, you shouldn’t be. Reports that an Italian club had offered him $750,000 first surfaced in 2011, not long after the 5-foot-6 dynamo used a dazzling array of crossovers, stutter-steps, blind passes and dunks (yes, dunks!) to become a viral video sensation and … Continue reading
October 2006 — Miracle Man on the Mend
In the aftermath of the shooting at Dueuesne University, Toronto’s Sam Ashaolu faces an uncertain future, but he’s facing it with family love and support, writes Morgan Campbell. 14 October 2006 – Toronto Star PITTSBURGH – On a recent trip home to Toronto, John Ashaolu downloaded 36 Jay-Z tracks to his iPod. He knew how much … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter I: The Holy Wars
Tensions rise between the teams and the teammates as the Jean Vanier Mavericks take on the Saints and Mother Teresa Scarborough high school players embark on long, difficult journey to an Ontario championship, writes Morgan Campbell. 31 May 2003 – Toronto Star The Jean Vanier Mavericks are one of the best high school basketball teams in … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter II: On a Cold Night…
1 June 2003 – Toronto Star By Morgan Campbell JANUARY 10 The change room door swings open and in walks Oliver Prince to announce an important bit of news. He has the skinny on tonight’s opponent, the North Albion Cougars. “They’re suss,” the 6-foot-5, 215-pound star basketball player tells his team. “Kamar Burke is gonna … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter IV: Chance of a Lifetime
Andrew Lomond gets his opportunity to impress at an audition for a U.S. college recruiter. The question is, can he become the post player the coaches want, reports Morgan Campbell. 3 June 2003 – Toronto Star Jan. 27, 2003 On a frigid winter night, about 20 young men gather at the Stanley Park Community Centre for some … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter V: The Angry Young Prince
National Newspaper Award Long Shots — Part 5 of 8 Mavericks star Oliver’s toughest opponent is the one he meets at every game: his own rage. A thorny medical history buys him some slack from his coach but, as Morgan Campbell writes, toleration can only go so far. 4 June 2003 – Toronto Star Sunday, Feb. … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter VI: The Power of Persuasion
5 June 2003 – Toronto Star Over the course of this tumultuous season, Don Marchione has come to know his players well – perhaps a little too well. The head coach of the Jean Vanier Mavericks understands Drew Lomond’s shaky confidence comes from childhood struggles with obesity. He accepts Nedrie Simmons’ stubborn, at times even combative … Continue reading
Long Shots Chapter VIII: The Final Hoops
For some of the Vanier Mavericks, the end of the basketball season sounds the buzzer on school. But for a driven, lucky few, it may be just the start of new slam-dunk dreams, writes Morgan Campbell. 7 June 2003 – Toronto Star Drew Lomond rides shotgun in a friend’s car as he and three buddies cruise … Continue reading
Morgan Campbell: A Writer on Sports and More 