Noah Kankam has been singularly focused on taking basketball to the next level, so it's likely no surprise he clicked with a coach who he found to have a similar mindset.
Kankam, a 6-foot-3 guard from Sturgeon Heights Collegiate and Piece Basketball Club, is the first commitment to Mike Raimbault's Winnipeg Wesmen men's basketball Class of 2023.
Kankam, who played for his father Bernard in the Piece club last season, said he was drawn to Raimbault's "straight up" approach to the game and his recruitment, and ultimately decided staying home outweighed options outside of the province.
"I liked his personality, he's straight up. Whatever he tells you, it's real," Kankam said. "He won't tell you any fallacies, he's just straight up with you. I think what he values defensively, and stuff like that, and earning your minutes, I really like that about him."
Kankam shone with the Manitoba U17 provincial team last summer, averaging 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds over six games at nationals, including two double-doubles and a 19/15 game against Nova Scotia.
He said the nationals experience opened his eyes to the level of competition that exists beyond the province.
"I think that just opened my mind," he said. "Before I had just played in Manitoba, but now my eyes opened up seeing all the competition across Canada and seeing how good the players are outside of Winnipeg. It was a good experience and motivation for me to get better and try to outplay everyone as much as I can.
"I think it gave me confidence to keep going and have trust in myself as a player."
Kankam said he's been focused on getting a post-secondary shot since he started high school basketball.
"It was a thought before high school, but it's been a goal ever since I started high school. Ever since I got to high school, I was serious about it and I tried to pursue that," he said. "Ever since last year I just got to know (Raimbault) better and thought this was the best situation for me.
"Before COVID, I was considering outside of Winnipeg, outside of Manitoba, but ever since COVID started, I thought staying home would be a good idea. The support of my parents, my family and friends, I came to the decision to stay here. I thought it was a good idea. The environment, I know a lot of people on the team, I think it was a good idea and I made the right choice to commit here."
Now he's counting the days until he can get a chance to put on the Wesmen jersey.
"Extremely excited. It's a huge step for me, a goal I've accomplished and it's going to be really exciting for me to play with the Wesmen this year."
Sturgeon Heights head coach Stephen Tackie, a former Wesmen assistant coach, heaps praise on his Grade 12 star.
"Noah Kankam is arguably the best point guard in the province because he will give it to you in all areas of the game, defense to locker-room, leadership to scoring, rebounding or assists. As a coach, Noah makes my job easier in countless ways and I know that he will do the same for coach Raimbault. Noah's decision to play at U of W is perfect. The Wesmen program has landed a diamond, and the Husky basketball family is very proud of him."
Raimbault, meanwhile, is adding depth to a position that is already an area of strength for the Wesmen.
"Noah is very mature young guy, a great student, and a dedicated worker on and off the court," he said. " We are excited to have him joining our group and look forward to watching his future growth and development."
2022 TEAM MANITOBA PROFILE
TEAM
17U Male
NAME
Noah Kankam
HOMETOWN
Winnipeg
POSITION
Guard
PRESENT AGE
16
PRESENT GRADE
Grade 11
YEARS IN BASKETBALL
10 years
SCHOOL PRESENTLY ATTENDING
Sturgeon Heights Collegiate
SCHOOL ATTENDING THIS FALL
Sturgeon Heights Collegiate
BASKETBALL CLUB NAME
Piece Basketball Club
FAVOURITE PLAYER & TEAM
Damian Lillard, Brooklyn Nets
SUMMER GOALS
To contribute everything I can for the team, have fun, and improve my skill.
BASKETBALL ASPIRATIONS
To play Usport basketball
FONDEST MEMORY IN BASKETBALL
Winning the Pegcity championship
BIGGEST BASKETBALL INFLUENCE
My dad, my uncle Stephen and my uncle Rans.
AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Play university basketball.
WHEN BASKETBALL CAREER IS OVER
Become a sports doctor