Four different Carleton men’s basketball players were drafted in the 2020 Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) U Sports Draft, the most representation from any school. Three of the four were picked by the newest team in the league, the Ottawa Blackjacks.
Forward Tajinder Lall was selected first overall by the Blackjacks followed by guard Marcus Anderson who went third overall to the Guelph Nighthawks. Rookie guard Lloyd Pandi and guard Alain Louis went 14th and 15th overall, and both to Ottawa’s team.
Ravens head coach Taffe Charles said the outcome of the draft is a positive reflection upon Carleton’s program.
“It’s great … in terms of some of the things we talk about with our players in terms of this is kind of a destination spot,” said Charles. “[It’s] a place where you can develop as a basketball player and there will be opportunities there for you if [you] stay the course and train hard.”
Charles explained that having Dave Smart, the former men’s basketball head coach and current Ottawa Blackjacks General Manager helped the team’s three picks belong to Carleton players.
“Obviously with Dave being the GM of one of the teams and still being involved with our program he knows those guys specifically, so the trust factor is there. The relationship is there,” said Charles.
Out of the four Ravens, Anderson is the only player who will start their CEBL career in the fall. Lall, Pandi and Louis will train and hopefully play with the Blackjacks this summer, before returning to Carleton next season.
For Anderson, this is an opportunity to explore going pro and to look at the next part of his career.
“I was contacted the week before and they were talking to me and they were saying they were interested in taking me as their first pick and I said that it would be great and I kind of just found out through talking to them,” said Anderson.
“I’m looking to have a good season this summer. Then hopefully play overseas and make a good living over there.”
Charles has no doubt that Anderson will be successful.
“Marcus Anderson played a lot of good ball for us for the last five years. He’s been defensive player of the year two times,” said Charles.
“He’s a winner and a lot of people would want to be associated with having winners on their team.”
The developmental opportunity for the returning players is what will be of most benefit according to Charles.
In the 2019-20 season, Pandi and Louis (as well as Anderson) were crucial factors in the team’s 15th national U Sports title. Charles wasn’t surprised to see rookie of the year Pandi drafted by the Blackjacks.
“I mean he had such a great season. He’s a very powerful player, he finishes well, great kid, works hard. Dave obviously liked him when he recruited him.”
However, Lall, the first overall pick, sat out this season.
“TJ wanted to develop himself more as a person and develop more as a student and develop himself more as a basketball player,” said Charles. “So it was really strategic on his part and on our part just to kind of say maybe take an extra year to develop and to be ready to play pro.”
Injury also played a factor in Lall’s decision.
“TJ got hurt at the beginning of the year as well, so he kind of lost some time,” said Charles.
“Now he has two degrees that he’s going to be pursuing so it just made a lot of sense, and then obviously having this Blackjacks opportunity as well made it … make more sense in terms of the plan that we had for him and I’m glad to see he got drafted.”
“He’s got a lot of experience, he sat out a year, he’s going to be that much wiser, that much stronger, that much more mature so we’re looking forward to [having] him play a big role on our team,” said Charles.
Feature image by Tim Austen.
