Kyle Desmarais named to Universiade team
Kyle Desmarais, an all-Canadian point guard with the Concordia Stingers, has been named to the men's basketball team that will represent Canada at the 26th Summer Universiade from Aug. 12 to 23 in Shenzhen, China.
He one of 12 student-athletes on the team announced this morning by Canadian Interuniversity Sport, in conjunction with Canada Basketball. He is the only Quebec men's basketball player named to the team.
Last season Desmarais averaged 19.3 points in 16 regular season games. He was second in scoring in the RSEQ conference. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds a game.
In Quebec, Desmarais was conference co-MVP. He was also a first team all-star.
The Economics major from Montreal was a four-time Concordia Male Athlete of the Week. He was the MVP of the Wilfrid Laurier tournament last October. He was also an all-star at the Laurentian and Rod Shoveller tournaments.
Desmarais will be in his third year of eligibility when he returns to the Stingers this fall.
In Shenzhen, the Canadians will be in Pool B for the preliminary round, competing against defending Universiade champion Serbia, Turkey, Australia, South Africa and Hong Kong. A total of 24 countries are entered in the tournament.
Canada has traditionally enjoyed success in men's basketball at the FISU Games amassing eight medals including gold in 1983, three silvers (1997, 1993, 1991) and four bronze medals (2007, 2003, 1995, 1985).
Team Canada will hold training camp in Vancouver Aug. 2-6 before travelling to Shenzhen to continue its preparation and play exhibition matches from Aug. 7 to 12.
The Summer Universiade is an international multi-sport event that takes place every two years and is second only to the Summer Olympic Games in the number of participating athletes and countries. The Universiade is open to student-athletes who are at least 17 and less than 28 years of age as of Jan. 1 in the year of the Games.