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The Bisons men's basketball program added some frontcourt depth to their roster today, as the team announced the signing of Jonam Kazadi for the 2020-21 season.
Kazadi, 17, joins Manitoba out of the TRC Rise Prep program in Ontario and played his high school ball for the St. Paul's Crusaders. A 6'7", 230-pound forward, Kazadi was an MHSAA all-star in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and used his high school success to secure a spot with TRC Rise Prep. During the 2019-20 Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) season, he averaged 9.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field.
Kazadi also has an excellent record in the classroom, having earned academic honour roll status in his grade 12 year at St. Paul's.
"Jonam will be a great addition to the Bisons program," said Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp. "He is a great athlete and high character young man that will be a force in Canada West. We think he fits in very well with our returning guys and helps to build the foundation for the future of the program."
The signing of Kazadi follows the recruitment of Sturgeon Heights product Sam Jensen earlier this spring. The Bisons men's basketball team went 16-4 in regular-season play in 2019-20, the program's best mark since joining Canada West.
Kazadi expressed his excitement for joining the Bisons in a statement:
"First and foremost, I want to thank my parents and my siblings for their support and encouragement throughout the years. Without them, I would not be in the position I am today, and for that, I am very deeply grateful.
I'd also like to thank everyone who has been a part my journey to get to this point; from my coaches at MB Gladiators (Dennis Dare), St. Paul's Crusaders (Ted Higham, Jeff Laping), TRC Rise Prep Academy (Mario Celebre), and all those who guided me in the various programs I participated in, including the Centre for Performance (Dan Becker) and Team Manitoba (Nick Lother, Marlin Kraus). You have all played a key role in my development as a person and as an athlete.
A special thanks to coach Kirby for the great opportunity to play under his leadership and for joining the great squad of Bisons men."
____________________
TEAM
17U Male
POSITION
Forward
FIRST NAME
Jo
LAST NAME
Kazadi
PRESENT AGE
16
CITY/TOWN
Winnipeg
PRESENT GRADE
Grade 11
YEARS IN BASKETBALL
9 years
SCHOOL PRESENTLY ATTENDING
St. Paul’s High School
BASKETBALL CLUB NAME
Manitoba Gladiators
FAVOURITE PLAYER & TEAM
Paul George & Philadelphia 76ers
SUMMER GOALS
Improve my perimeter game and help my teammates get better
BASKETBALL ASPIRATIONS
To play professionally
FONDEST MEMORY IN BASKETBALL
My first in-game dunk
BIGGEST BASKETBALL INFLUENCE
My brother
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Play college/University basketball
WHEN BASKETBALL CAREER IS OVER
Coach basketball
17U Male
POSITION
Forward
FIRST NAME
Jo
LAST NAME
Kazadi
PRESENT AGE
16
CITY/TOWN
Winnipeg
PRESENT GRADE
Grade 11
YEARS IN BASKETBALL
9 years
SCHOOL PRESENTLY ATTENDING
St. Paul’s High School
BASKETBALL CLUB NAME
Manitoba Gladiators
FAVOURITE PLAYER & TEAM
Paul George & Philadelphia 76ers
SUMMER GOALS
Improve my perimeter game and help my teammates get better
BASKETBALL ASPIRATIONS
To play professionally
FONDEST MEMORY IN BASKETBALL
My first in-game dunk
BIGGEST BASKETBALL INFLUENCE
My brother
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Play college/University basketball
WHEN BASKETBALL CAREER IS OVER
Coach basketball