Gee Gees land Mike L'Africain

Mike L'Africain - Loyola

Head coach James Derouin and the uOttawa Gee-Gees men’s basketball program are very proud to announce the signing of one of the country’s most highly touted point guards, Mike L’Africain. The Oakville, Ont., native will take to the court for the garnet and grey starting this summer.
L’Africain is currently finishing his high school tenure with St. Ignatius of Loyola Secondary School wherein he has led his team to three Halton Championships and a silver medal at this year’s AAAA OFSAA Championships.
“I felt comfortable with Ottawa because they are a young, talented team on the rise with really young and great coaches that I think will mold (uOttawa) into a powerhouse program,” said L’Africain. “I was impressed,” commented L’Africain on the Gee-Gees season this year. “Everyone was doubting with a new coach and young guys, but they stepped up and it’s impressive how far they went.”
L’Africain is already a household name among CIS basketball insiders; although a solid shooter, he will be looking to make an immediate impact through his superior playmaking and passing abilities. “I think I can help get some of their shooters and slashers some more open looks. I feel comfortable doing that and that’s what the coaches want me to as well,” added L’Africain.
And that is exactly what Derouin is expecting from his newly acquired point guard: “His ability to be unselfish, find people and get them easy baskets. Johnny (Berhanemeskel) and Warren (Ward) had to fight for every basket and we want someone Warren can play off, and Mike brings that to the table.”
“We’re extremely excited,” said Derouin, “Mike was a guy we identified almost the minute I got the job. As a former point guard for (uOttawa), and now as a coach, I feel if I have a true point guard, we can win.”
Furthermore, L’Africain already seems to have a handle on the local rivalry with Carleton, saying that a big draw to uOttawa was it being “in the same city as Carleton, the school I want to beat the most,” said L’Africain.