Windsorites head to Toronto for NBA All-Star Weekend

By Christian Bouchard

Two Windsorites are using their basketball talents to punch their tickets to Toronto to watch the NBA All-Star Game.

The University of Windsor’s St. Denis Centre played host to a showcase on Jan. 16 that allowed basketball fans to realize their “all-star” dreams and show off their talent.  As a cross-country initiative to identify and showcase Canada’s next generation of future stars, the challenge invited Windsor’s best three point shooters, skills challenge competitors and dunkers. Windsor was just one of 14 different cities and 10 provinces in which the showcase stopped across Canada. The winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to compete for a national title at NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto.

More than 1,740 fans gathered to see the festivities as 11-year NBA veteran Morris Peterson – who was a member of the Michigan State Spartan’s 1999-2000 NCAA National Championship team and a beloved Toronto Raptor – was on site as a judge for the dunk competition.

“These showcases are great for Canada as a whole,” said Peterson after the event. “We’re really starting to see a lot of talent from Canada.”

Shavon Gayle, a Catholic Central High School graduate, was one of hundreds of people to show up for a chance to showcase their talents. After gaining several fans on YouTube with his flashy dunks while attending CCH, Gayle continued the trend and made new fans through a handful of impressive dunks at the showcase.

Gayle said having a legend such as Peterson in attendance gave him extra motivation to succeed and do whatever was necessary to take home the top prize.

“He was my idol when I was younger,” said Gayle. “It was a great opportunity to finally meet him. He had some kind words about how I did today. It’s a great feeling and I’m happy to be a part of it”.

While Gayle took home the first place prize in the dunk competition, another Windsorite had a homecoming of his own. In a place he used to call home, former University of Windsor Lancer’s team MVP Khalid El-Gabar won both the three-point and skills challenge competition.

“It feels amazing,” said Gabar following his wins. “There was a lot of competition today that brought a lot of people from Windsor to come support and watch. It was great for the community.”

As Gabar now prepares to head out to Toronto, he said he is thankful for the opportunity to showcase his talents, especially in a place which has already brought so many great memories like the St. Denis Centre.

“I think that’s the best thing about it,” said Gabar. “A lot of people know me from Windsor playing for the Lancers so it meant a lot to me to go out and be able to represent for the school.”

The NBA All-Star Weekend will be held from Feb. 12- 14 and celebrate the 125^th anniversary of the birth of basketball. As the city of Toronto is playing host to the event, it is also the first time ever the event is being held outside of the United States.