It’s a long way from UVic’s CARSA gym to the southern tip of Chile – but that’s exactly where two Vikes basketball standouts will be this week, wearing Canadian colours.
Victoria’s Ethan Boag and Duncan’s Shadynn Smid are set to represent Team Canada at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League in Punta Arenas, Chile, from July 21-27, competing against the top under-23 talent from across the Americas.
Smid and Boag will line up alongside Mason Krause (Manitoba), Owen Kenney (Ottawa), Tate Christensen (Simon Fraser), and Yohann Sam (Windsor)
The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the FIBA U23 World Cup in Xiong An, China – with only the winner of each regional conference advancing.
The UVic pair earned their call-up following a strong showing at the FISU America 3x3 Championship earlier this summer in Brasilia, Brazil, where Canada finished fourth.
That roster also featured Vikes teammates Griffin Arnatt and Renoldo Robinson, with assistant coach Josh Reddy on the sidelines.
“It’s like ’90s NBA basketball – hand checks, forearms, bumping guys off their line,” said Reddy, describing the physicality of the 3x3 international format. “You have to hit first. Once you get hit, you need to find a way to hit back.”
Smid, playing 3x3 for the first time in Brazil, said the experience forced him to adapt quickly.
“A main takeaway from Brazil was definitely the physicality at the international level,” said Smid. “It forced us to think and play differently.”
Canada is grouped in Pool A alongside host Chile, the United States, Argentina and the Cayman Islands.
They open up their campaign on July 21 at 2:55 p.m. against Chile.
Games are played on a half-court, with a 10-minute clock and a 12-second shot clock – a format that demands both precision and pace.
For Boag, the quick rhythm of 3x3 play fits his style.
“It’s super fast-paced. There’s so much more space,” said Boag. “I feel like for a player like me – tall, can shoot, can drive – it really suits my game.”
The 6'6" forward was a Canada West Second Team All-Star in 2024 and one of UVic’s most consistent two-way players, averaging 12.9 points and 5.2 rebounds while starting every game.
Smid, a 6'7" forward, made his presence felt late in the season after recovering from injury, delivering 18 points in the Canada West semifinal and hauling in 17 rebounds in the national final.
While the Nations League runs in Chile this week, there won’t be much rest when the group returns home.
All four Vikes – Boag, Smid, Arnatt and Robinson – are slated to hit the floor again on August 7 at UVic’s CARSA gym for the Ball Don’t Stop Pro-Am.
The showcase event is expected to draw NBA-calibre talent, including Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells and Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye.
Alongside current Vikes talent and NBA stars, three new Vikes' recruits for the 2025-26 season from Greater Victoria schools – Tyler Felt, Toren Franklin and Justin Hinrichsen – will play in a high school junior boys’ showdown pitting Vancouver Island against the Lower Mainland.
“We’re trying to build something special here at UVic,” said Vikes assistant coach Terrell Evans. “This is about inspiring the next generation and showing kids on the Island that basketball can take you places.”
The main event tips off at 7:30 p.m.
