SHERBROOKE, QUEBEC – More than 250 of Canada’s most talented young male basketball prospects will hit the hardwood from July 31– August 5 in Sherbrooke, QC for the 2012 Canada Basketball National Championships. The two tournaments bring together the top male athletes from 11 provinces and territories, ages 15-and-under and 17-and-under, for a weeklong competition to determine the best 15U and 17U squads in the country.

The Canada Basketball National Championships have historically been a proving ground for future Canadian basketball stars.

The men’s 15U/17U tournament takes place at Bishop’s University and Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke, QC. Notable players include Jake Babic, Tyrell Bellot-Green, Malcolm Duvivier and Chris McComber, who were all a part of the Canadian Cadet Men’s National Team that finished fifth in the FIBA World U17 Championship this year.

"It's a fact; Canadian Basketball is growing each and every year on the national and international scene,” said Quebec Basketball Federation Executive Director, Daniel Grimard.  “We are thrilled to receive this year's 15U and 17U men's nationals in Sherbrooke as a prelude to 2013 Canada Games.”

“The Quebec basketball community is proud to welcome the best players amongst the country and look forward to take part in this great competition,” Grimard added.

This year, both Ontario 15U and 17U men’s teams will be looking to defend their titles. Ontario’s 15U team will be looking to make it their fifth consecutive year winning the title, while the Ontario 17U men’s team will be looking to make it back-to-back championships.

The women’s 15U/17U tournament takes place in Fredericton, NB from August 6 - 11, 2012.

The official tournament website for the 15U and 17U Men’s National Championships can be found here.

Full team rosters, tournament schedules, daily game summaries and box scores of all tournament matches will be available on the tournament website. For more information, please visit www.basketball.ca.