NBYMP Roster
#NBYMP
NBYMP Roster
The National Basketball Youth Mentorship Program (NBYMP) aims to bridge the “gap” between high-level Canadian professional basketball athletes and youth. In addition, to also bridge the gap between university athletes/coaches and youth. NBYMP mentees have the opportunity to communicate with their mentors through email communication, audio calling, and/or video calling. Our Mentors have agreed to share their experiences, knowledge, and advice with all NBYMP Mentees in need of mentorship. When communicating with your mentor(s), we only have one rule: Be respectful!
Visit our “Services” page for more info about mentorship!
NBYMP Mentors
Professional & University Athletes
Kayla Alexander
Hometown: Milton, ON
High School: Milton District High School
University: Syracuse University (NCAA D1)
Professional Leagues: WNBA (2013-present), WNBL Australia (2018-2019), KWBL Korea (2017), LBF France (2016-2017), RPL Russia (2013-2016)
Dylan Ennis
Hometown: Brampton, ON
High School: St. Edmund Campion, Wings Academy (Bronx, NY), Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest, Illinois)
University: University of Oregon (NCAA), Villanova University (NCAA), Rice University (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: Andorra (2018-Present), Spain (2018), Serbia (2017-2018)
Marek Klassen
Hometown: Abbotsford, BC
High School: Yale Secondary School (Abbotsford)
University: Point Loma Nazarene University (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: CEBL (2019, 2020), Turkey (2017-present), British Basketball League (2016-2017)
Brigitte Lefebvre-Okanwku
Hometown: Gatineau, QC
High School: École Secondaire De L’Île
CEGEP: College Nouvelles-Frontières
University: University of Ottawa
University Major: Honours BSc in Biomedical Sciences (Graduated 2020 & Valedictorian), Honours BSc Psychology (Graduated 2022), MSc Management (will graduate Fall 2023).
Professional Leagues: Dubai (2021), Australia (2022)
Brayden O’Connor
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
High School: Canada Topflight Academy
University: University of Massachusetts Lowell
University Major: Bachelor of Liberal Arts
Alexander “Sascha” Kappos
Hometown: Miami, Florida
High School: Miami Country Day School
University: Dalhousie University (USports)
Profesional Leagues: CEBL (2020-2022), Greek A2 (2020-2022), Portugal Beltic League Division 1 ( 2022 Present), BSN Puerto Rico League (2022-Present)
Kaza Kajami-Keane
Hometown: Ajax, ON
High School: Pickering High School, Christian Faith Academy
University: Carleton (USPORTS), Cleveland State University (NCAA), Illinois State University (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: France (2020-Present), Netherlands (2018-2019), NBA G-League (2017-2018)
Mael Gilles
Hometown: Montreal, QC
High School: Henri-Bourassa High School, Saint-Laurent High School
University: Rutgers University (NCAA D1), Arizona State University (NCAA D1)
Professional Leagues: WNBA (Training Camp Phoenix Mercury 2022)
Alyssa Cerino
Hometown: Stoney Creek, ON
High School: Cardinal Newman (Stoney Creek)
University: Carleton University (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: Italy – LBF (2021), Portugal – FPB (2022-2023)
Nick Wiggins
Hometown: Vaughan, ON
High School: Vaughan Secondary School
University: Wichita State University (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: Brazil (2019-Present), Thailand (2019), Brazil (2018-2019), NBLC (2017), North Macedonia (2016), NBA D-League (2015)
Marlee Ball
Hometown: Waterdown, ON
High School: Waterdown District High School
University: Carleton University (USPORTS), Algoma University (USPORTS)
Pro League(s): WBBL United Kingdom (2020-present)
Justin Edwards
Hometown: Whitby, ON
High School: Anderson CVI
University: Kansas State (NCAA), University of Maine (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: Hungary (2019-Present), CEBL (2019), Isreal (2018), France (2018), South Korea (2017-18)
Trae Bell-Haynes
Hometown: Toronto, ON High School: Bill Crothers S.S.
University: University of Vermont (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: Germany (2018-2019, 2020-2021), Finland (2019-2020), CEBL (2019, 2020), NBA G-League (2019)
Brey Johnson
Hometown: Durham, NC
High School: Palm Beach Gardens High School (Florida), Forsyth Country Day School (NC)
University: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Professional Leagues: Team Canada (present), Ecuador (2018-2019), Germany, France, Hong Kong, Romania
Alex Johnson
Hometown: Toronto, ON
High School: Vaughan Road Academy
University: NC State University (NCAA), Cal State Bakersfield
Professional Leagues: CEBL (2019, 2020), Ecuador (2018-2019), NBLC (2013-2018), NBA G-League (2016-2017), Hong Kong (2015-2017), China (2015-2017), Romania (2012-2013)
Sarah Gates
Hometown: Newmarket, ON
High School: Newmarket High School
University: McMaster University (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: Germany – DBBL
Jabulani “Jabs” Newby
Hometown: Brampton, ON
High School: St. Marguerite D’Youville Secondary School, Mountain State Academy
University: Eastern Kentucky University (NCAA), Gannon University (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: CEBL (2020) Spain (2017-present), Mexico (2017), NBLC (2014-2017)
Alex Kiss-Rusk
Hometown: Beaconsfield, QC
High School: Phillips Academy Andover (Andover, Massachusetts)
University: McGill University (USPORTS), Virginia Tech (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: Germany – DBBL (2018-present)
Devoe Joseph
Hometown: Pickering, ON
High School: Pickering High School
University: University of Oregon (NCAA), University of Minnesota (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: Turkey (2018-present), Finland (2018), Venezuela (2017), Greece (2017), Isreal (2016), Montenegro (2015-16), France (2015), Turkey (2014-15), Spain (2013-14), Ukraine (2012-2013)
Silvana Jez
Hometown: Kitchener, ON
High School: Cameron Heights Collegiate
University: Ryerson University (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: France (2018-Present), Romania (2017-2018), Holland (2016-2017)
Jamal Mayali
Hometown: Toronto, ON
High School: Bill Crothers SS
University: McGill University (USPORTS)
Jaz Bains
Hometown: London England
High School: Brampton Centennial
University: Queens University (USPORTS), St. Lawrence College (CCAA)
University Major: Health Studies / Fitness and Health Promotion
Pro Leagues: Germany (2019 – Present)
Jill Stratton
Hometown: Etobicoke, ON
High School: EtobicokeCollegiate Institute
University: University of Toronto (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: Germany 2DBBL (2015-Present)
Foster Brown
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
High School: Saltfleet District High School
University: Redeemer University
University Major: Clinical Psychology
Jamal Reynolds
Hometown: Pickering, ON
High School: Pine Ridge Secondary School
University: Canisius (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: CEBL (2019-present), NBLC (2017-Present)
Daniel Gordon
Hometown: Ajax, ON
High School: Ajax High School
University: Memorial University (USPORTS), Fleming College (CCAA)
Professional Leagues: NBLC (2018 – Present)
Anthony Ottley Jr
Hometown: Toronto, ON
High School: Emery Collegiate Institute
University: Red Deer College (CCAA), Trinity Western (USPORTS), Kilgore College (JUCO)
Professional Leagues: Canada (2016-Present)
Taijah Campbell
Hometown: Ajax, ON
High School: Pickering High School
University: Virginia Tech (NCAA D1)
Pro League(s): Poland (2019-present), Slovakia (2016-2018)
Dyshawn Pierre
Hometown: Whitby, ON
High School: Anderson CVI
University: Dayton University (NCAA)
Professional Leagues: Italy (2017-Present), Germany (2016-2017)
Cole Long
Hometown: St. John’s, Newfoundland
High School: Athletic Institute Basketball Academy (Orangeville)
University: Memorial University (USPORTS), University of Detroit Mercy (NCAA)
University Major: Biochemistry
Jean Emmanuel Pierre Charles
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
High School: Ashbury College
University: Ottawa University (USPORTS), Carleton University (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: CEBL (2020-present) Spain (2018-Present)
NBYMP Mentors
Coaches & Public Figures
Aycha Hamaoui
Hometown: Toronto, ON
High School: Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
University: Yorkville University (2018 – present), Redeemer University (2013 – 2015), Humber College (2009 – 2013)
Teams Coached: Humber College Women’s Varsity Team (2014 – Present), Etobicoke Collegiate Senior Boys (2016 – Present), Humber College Extramurals (2014 – 2018), Etobicoke Thunder U16 & U19 (2016 – 2018), Toronto Basketball Club (2017)
Jessica Roque
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
High School: Father Michael Goetz SS
University: Cleveland State University (NCAA)
Teams Coached: Uni. of Waterloo (2020-present), Ryerson University (2016 – 2020), U14 Team Ontario (2019), U17 Kia Nurse Elite (2019), U17 Team Ontario Girls (2017), Cleveland State University (2015-2016)
Micaella Riche
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
High School: Ecole Secondaire Publique Louis-Riel
University: University of Minnesota (4 years as player, Bachelors) Kansas State University (3 years, master’s degree and on staff)
Pro League(s): Greece (2017-18)
Teams Coached: Kansas State University (3 years, master’s degree and on staff)
Jamil Abiad
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
High School: Colonel By
University: Bishops University
Pro League(s): Lebanon – Tadamon Zouk (2017-2018) / Lebanon – Hoops Club (2015-2016)
Teams Coached: Team Believe, Janlfitness, NL Fitness (2018 – present)
Caroline Hummell
Hometown: Sarnia, ON
High School: St. Patricks (Sarnia, ON)
University: Mount St. Mary’s University (NCAA)
Teams Coached: Queens University WBB (2019-present), Kingston Impact (Present)
Christopher Egi
Hometown: Markham, ON
High School: Montverde Academy (Florida)
University: Harvard University (Ivy League NCAA)
University Major: Economics
Shak Edwards
Hometown: Innisfil, ON
High School: Nantyr Shores SS
University: St. Lawrence College (OCAA – Bachelor Behavioral Science)
Teams Coached: Shak’s World Basketball, IEM Basketball (Head Coach, 7 years), CKU Basketball (Head Coach), coaches youth in Simcoe County and beyond
Aaron Redpath
Hometown: Ajax, ON
High School: J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate
University: McMaster University (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: Canada (2017 – Present) / Spain (2016 – 2017)
Teams Coached: Purpose Driven Mentality, Oakville Basketball
Mariah Nunes
Hometown: Ajax, ON
High School: Bill Crothers S.S. (Markham, Ontario)
University: Ryerson University (USPORTS) / Fairleigh Dickinson University (NCAA D1)
Professional Leagues: France (2018 – Present)/Spain (2016 – 2018)
Lindsay Panchan
Hometown: Ajax, ON
High School: Notre Dame CHS
University: Durham College (CCAA)
Professional Leagues: Germany (2017 -2018)
Hilary Hanaka
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
High School: St. Marys Catholic SS
University: McMaster University (USPORTS)
Yusuf Ali
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
High School: Vaughan Road Academy
University: Ryerson University (USPORTS), Seneca College (CCAA), Brock University (USPORTS)
University Major: Business Management
Teams Coached: Toronto Basketball Academy
Richard Peters
Hometown: Toronto, ON
High School: Westwind Prep (Phoenix, AZ)
University: University of Cal State Fullerton / University at Albany, N.Y.
Professional Leagues: Canada (2018 – Present) / Spain (2017)
Samy Mohamed
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
High School: Blessed Mother Teresa CSS
University: University of PEI (USPORTS), Algoma University (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: Spain (2018-Present)
Trevor Challenger
Hometown: Toronto, ON
High School: Runnymede C.I, Redemption Christian Academy
University: Monroe Community College, Durham College, Ryerson Uni.
Teams Coached: Centennial College MBB (2016-present), OnPoint International Team (China – 2018, 2019), Seneca College MBB (2012-2015), Central Toronto Academy (2014-2016), George Brown College (2002-2004)
Christian Casimier
Hometown: Scarborough, ON
High School: Cardinal Newman CSS
University: Nipissing University (USPORTS), Canadore College (CCAA)
Pro League(s): Spain
Farah Alfar
Hometown: Aurora, ON
High School: Aurora High School
University: ALgoma (UPOSRTS)
University Major: Business Admin
Joel Friesen
Hometown: Abbotsford, BC
High School: Yale Secondary School
University: University of Alberta (USPORTS), University of Fraser Valley (USPORTS)
Professional Leagues: CEBL (2019, 2020), Ukraine (2019-present), NBLC (2015-2019)
Tyler Vanassen
Hometown: Whitby, ON
High School: Sinclair Secondary School
University: Georgian College (CCAA)
University Major: Sports Admin
Mikaela Brewer
Hometown: Barrie, ON
High School: Innisdale Secondary
University: Stanford University (NCAA)
University Major: Human Biology with Notation in Science Communication
University Minor: Creative Writing
Tramar Sutherland
Hometown: Toronto, ON
High School: Father Henry Carr Catholic School
University: University of Arkansas at Little Rock (NCAA), South Plains College (JUCO)
Professional Leagues: NBLC (2014-Present)
Julia Hanaka
Hometown: Hamilton, ON
High School: St. Marys Catholic SS
University: McMaster University (USPORTS)