By Braedon Clark
After averaging 10.9 minutes per game in his rookie season, Ottawa native Justin Shaver figures to play a bigger role in the Carleton Ravens’ quest for a third consecutive national championship when their men’s basketball regular season tips off on Nov. 9.
But Shaver also plays perhaps an even more important role as an inspirational figure for the youngsters at the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa.
Raised in the Bayshore neighbourhood, Shaver got his start in basketball through the Boys & Girls Club’s Police Athletic League before becoming one of the hottest high school commodities at John McCrae Secondary and later joining the Ravens.
Shaver spoke with the Ottawa Sportspage on the Nov. 3 weekend after returning from Philadelphia, where the team played exhibition games against NCAA opponents.
Q: How was the trip to Philadelphia?
A: It was a great experience; we got to play some high-level talent. We got to play some big kids that got to bully us and show us how it is down there.
Q: You guys have played several NCAA teams over the past couple months. What’s the biggest difference you notice compared to playing against CIS competition?
A: The main difference is the height and athleticism of the players. They’re taller, longer, they jump higher, and it’s more of a fast-paced game. Down here, we slow things down, we’re not as athletic, and more fundamental.
Q: Personally, what’s it like to match up against players that are three or four inches taller than you in most cases?
A: For example, the Villanova guy, [Mouphtaou] Yarou, he’s 6’11” and 240, 250. I’m almost 6’7” and 210, so you see a noticeable difference just by looking at the numbers.
Q: You grew up in Ottawa and played with the Boys & Girls Club for awhile, right?
A: I kind of grew up there. I started going there when I was 6, I didn’t even play in games because I was too young. Once I hit the age of 11 or 12, I played two years with them and then moved on to the Nepean Bobcats, who are now the Nepean Blue Devils.
Q: How important was the Boys & Girls Club to getting you into the sport in the first place?
A: It was huge, not even just the sport. I think the Boys & Girls Club was the one thing that kind of changed my life in terms of direction. Who knows where I’d be if I didn’t go there, with the life skills and structure that they develop. The sport was kind of like an extra for me and they made me fall in love with it basically. Mainly the Boys & Girls Club was about changing your life and knowing what’s right and what’s wrong.
Q: You say the Boys & Girls Club was more of a life tool. What was going on at that time?
A: I wasn’t very structured parentally. My parents were there but there wasn’t a lot of boundaries so at 10, 11, 12 years old, I could run around and do whatever I wanted until 10 o’clock at night, and that’s something kids shouldn’t be able to do. My parents did their best but that’s where the Boys & Girls Club and Dave Smart came in to try and keep me on path. The club was huge because I could go there and do homework and have any resource I needed.
Q: When did you first meet (Carleton coach) Dave Smart?
A: When I was going into Grade 7.
Q: Could you describe your relationship with him?
A: Without Dave, I’d have a lot less structure than what I have now and I’d find it a lot harder to move forward with things, or when problems arise, I wouldn’t be able to bust through a wall as much. Dave’s taught me right from wrong and certain situations that you try to avoid or have to fight through. He’s tried to toughen me up and basically turn me into a man before I graduate. That’s where the respect comes in; we both know where I need to get to.
Q: Do you stay in touch with the Boys & Girls Club?
A: I was just there last night for about six or seven hours, shooting around with the kids and cleaning up.
Q: Back to basketball – is it safe to say the team’s goal is to win the national championship this year?
A: Yes.