Did You Know? U SPORTS National Championship is Happening This Week!

The best university basketball teams in Canada are coming to Vancouver!

Both the Men’s and Women’s U SPORTS National Championships will take place at UBC’s War Memorial Gym from Thursday, March 13th, to Sunday, March 16th. This is the highest level of basketball in Canada, making it a fantastic opportunity to watch elite competition right in our backyard.

A Special Connection: Queen’s University at Nationals

We are thrilled to announce that the Queen’s University Men’s Basketball team has qualified for the tournament! They will be facing #2-ranked Calgary on Thursday night at 5 PM.

Why does this matter? Because over the past three years, Split Second Basketball has built a strong and meaningful relationship with the Queen’s program.

It all started with our annual October trips to Ontario, where we brought our Varsity club players to visit Queen’s. Despite having no prior relationship with our club, Queen’s welcomed us with open arms, offering our athletes a first-hand look at one of Canada’s top basketball programs. Since then, our partnership has only grown, built on shared values and a mutual commitment to player development.

Split Second’s Growing Ties to Queen’s

Raoul Korner’s Involvement

plit Second consultant and coach Raoul Korner spent two weeks embedded with the Queen’s program in Fall 2023, observing their operations and providing insight. Queen’s was eager to learn, adapt, and grow, embracing feedback from a high-level coach with no previous ties to their team. This kind of open-minded approach is rare, and it speaks to why the Queen’s program continues to rise in the national ranks.

Greg Faulkner’s Role

Split Second coach Greg Faulkner is deeply connected to the Queen’s program, having played and coached for the team. Though he has been working with Split Second for the past year, his involvement with Queen’s has never wavered. This week, Greg will be back on the Queen’s bench, coaching with them throughout the championship.

Lukey Butler’s Journey

Split Second alum Lukey Butler has spent the past year as a redshirt player for Queen’s after making the team as a walk-on in the fall. His growth, both as a player and as a person, has been incredible to watch. Lukey is part of a highly talented rookie class, and Queen’s believes his future in the program is bright. We’re excited to see how he continues to develop.

Upcoming Summer Collaboration

This summer, we’re looking forward to another exciting step in our partnership. Queen’s assistant coach John Curcio will be joining Split Second to work with our athletes and run development camps. His experience and deep knowledge of the game will be invaluable in helping our players elevate their skills.