Mason Bourcier
BASKETBALL SCHOOL: Kelowna FRESHMAN’S FUTURE: UBC
Over the last two seasons, the Kelowna Owls have gone a combined 44-5 against B.C. competition, played in two provincial Quad A championship finals, won one title and sent seven players on to the ranks of university basketball.
It’s about as wildly successful a run as we’ve seen in recent memory, and with so many stars you might think it would be difficult determining who, over that span, was its single most influential player.
Actually, that one is easy, and it’s not so much for what Mason Bourcier did during a Grade 11 campaign on a team that went a perfect 23-0, but rather how he came back as a senior on a team nowhere near as talented, yet still led the squad to a 21-5 record and a place in the championship final.
“I went to his last game (against Walnut Grove in the B.C. final) just to see how Mason would handle things,” remembers UBC head coach Kevin Hanson.“Walnut Grove had more impact guys, but to see the way that Mason put that team on his back, and how he willed them to the championship game was incredible. He left every single ounce of his energy on that floor. He is special leader with a special drive.” How special? If you asked yourself which player, among B.C.’s handful of elite Quad A programs this past season, would have the most impact on his team through his absence, the answer would be Bourcier.
Not too soon after the Owls’ silver-medal finish, Bourcier — who had his heart set on an NCAA Div. 1 career — had a change of heart despite several opportunities and decided to sign with the Thunderbirds, reuniting him with former Owls Grant Shephard and HOC 2016 honouree Parker Simson.
And although there is no established track record to speak of in terms of Canadian university players making NBA rosters, Bourcier refuses to be dissuaded from his ultimate goal just because he has decided to play his university ball in Canada.
“Ever since I was a young kid going to the gym, my dream was to play in the NCAA tournament and then in the NBA,”said Bourcier, who joins a UBC program brimming with Div. 1-type talent. “I think the younger kids will be able to look at this team and be able to dream about playing at UBC and not having to go D1.
“My dream is still alive. Honestly, my goal is still to play in the NBA, and I am still going to work like I want to be the best player in the world.”