Michael Bartlett, the president and CEO of Canada Basketball, experienced a thrilling moment while watching Game 7 of the NBA Finals, where he had a vested interest due to the presence of Canadian players on both competing teams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder faced off against Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin from the Indiana Pacers. Bartlett expressed excitement for all four Canadians, regardless of the game's outcome.

“Oh, it was uncontrollable at times,” Bartlett said in a phone interview on Monday morning. “I looked up, it was 4:50 left on the clock, and four Canadians are on the court playing meaningful minutes in crunch time with the ball in their hands. Gosh, that’s exciting.” His enthusiasm was shared among Canada Basketball’s staff, who exchanged texts during the crucial moments of the game, which ultimately concluded with Oklahoma City winning 103-91.

With this championship victory, Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort became the 11th and 12th Canadians to win an NBA title. Bartlett believes the experiences gained by all four players will greatly benefit Canada's senior men's basketball team in the future. He emphasized the importance of learning to win under pressure, as these playoff experiences are critical when facing tough situations in international competitions. “They’re learning how to win on the toughest of stages,” he explained.

Gilgeous-Alexander's remarkable performance earned him a unique place in NBA history, as he became the fourth player ever to win the scoring title, MVP, NBA championship, and Finals MVP in the same season. He joins the ranks of legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal. Rowan Barrett, the general manager of Canada's men’s senior basketball team, noted how Gilgeous-Alexander's postseason accomplishments will enhance his contributions to the national team, particularly facing tough defenders in high-stakes scenarios.

TSN basketball commentator Tamika Nurse, also from Hamilton, praised Gilgeous-Alexander for his resilience and work ethic, key attributes attributed to the blue-collar identity of Hamilton. “Hamilton is built on blue-collar workers, Steeltown, they call it,” she remarked, highlighting how Gilgeous-Alexander embodies the essence of his hometown through his journey in the NBA.

Michael Naraine, an associate professor at Brock University, reflected on the significance of Gilgeous-Alexander's exceptional season and the collective achievements of Dort, Nembhard, and Mathurin. He believes this moment in Canadian basketball history parallels past milestones such as the formation of the Toronto Raptors in 1995, Vince Carter’s emergence as a superstar, Steve Nash’s MVP wins in 2005 and 2006, and the Raptors’ championship in 2019. Naraine predicts that this successful wave will inspire young Canadians, both boys and girls, to engage with the sport, especially given that Canada currently boasts the best men's professional basketball player in the world.

Bartlett emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for aspiring basketball players at all skill levels, affirming that Canada Basketball aims to create an environment where kids can fall in love with the game and play it for as long as they wish. He underscored the necessity of having well-trained coaches and officials across the country to develop and teach the game effectively. “Canada Basketball can’t be in every gym,” Bartlett explained, “but we can develop a curriculum that lives through every gym, ensuring coaches are taught the right way.”