Road to Edmonton: From Kamloops through the Rockies

sknumber4
Jul 7
3 min read

Updated: Jul 8

When the dust settles in Kamloops, all you see is a couple fresh paw prints and a hoop still shaking from the last dunk. That’s the Cougars’ way — no apologies, no looking back.

Last summer, these mountain cats clawed their way out of Richmond with the qualifier trophy in hand. A gritty win, and more than just that — they announced themselves to the competitve world of 3x3. Up next: Edmonton.

Oil City

Edmonton. Amiskwacîwâskahikan. And when we say "Edmonton" throughout this editorial, we’re not only talking about the capital of Alberta — we’re talking about the FIBA 3x3 Quest tournament at the Ice Palace in West Edmonton Mall.

A place where bright lights bounce off of floor after floors, full of fans and teams alike. From across the world - to write the next chapter of their journey. Edmonton isn’t just a location; it’s the stage where grit meets spotlight and every possession can create the moment of a lifetime.

Kamloops: More than a stop on the map

A true summer playground, where golden hills roll under endless blue skies and the sun seemingly never sets. Trails, rivers, and rugged terrain shape the spirit of the city — a place built for those who chase adventure and embrace every moment outside. That same energy fuels the Cougars: bold, fearless, physical and ready to put in the work under the heat of the summer sun. In Kamloops, you don’t just play — you leave it all out there.

Key Pieces, One Mission

Captain Kamloops. Leading the charge is Guard Layton Deimdoff, known for his no-frills defense and relentless will. Maybe not the flashiest, but surgical in his pursuit - the type of player who maintains an unwaivering confidence in his teammates and fans alike.

Brutal Justice. Former TRU forward and bruiser Mike Rouault uses his strong motor to back down defenders all day long. You'll need to bring a second defender to put an end to his force, which opens up the floor for shooters.

Speaking of shooters, enter Anton Bilous. Yet, he is so much more than that. From drives to floaters, post game and mid-range, all the way to extending the game to way beyond the 2-point line. He plays clean, but he smokes defenders.

Hometown kid Joe Davis has entered the chat, the game, and his pursuit of success. A lefty as smooth as butter, he is ready to bring the thunder. As the current Head Assistant Coach on the TRU WBB's basketball team, Joe has a leg up on tactics to bring an experienced voice into the huddle.

Richmond success as a launchpad

The TC Cougars traveled all the way to Richmond, BC, last summer to build on their 3-on3 success from Hoops-in-the-Loops. Wining both the 2023 and 2024 trophy, it was time to step it up a notch and compete for a spot in Edmonton.

Relying on bully-ball in the early group-stage games, the Cougars found their rhythm all over the floor. In true TC fashion, the grit and physicality stayed unmatched and helped the team succeed over a high level of local competition.

Looking ahead to Edmonton

The team will have it's first appearance with new forward Joe Davis, who replaces new-father Vlad Egorov. Vlad has been an incremental part of the Cougars game, and will stay ready to compete in future tournaments. For the Cougars, the goal remains simple: stick to their identity. Trust the ball movement. Stay committed on defense. Play with the same patience and edge that got them here.

Edmonton also presents a new level of challenge. The competition hails from all across North America. Tickets for a Fiba 3x3 pro circuit event, either a Challenger or the World Tour, are hard to come by, which makes Edmonton and the 3x3BA one of the hottest tickets of the year.

A good showing in Edmonton wouldn’t just validate a summer’s worth of work — it would put Kamloops basketball on a national map, inspiring the next generation back home to lace up and believe they belong too.

Final Take

The Cougars are ready for the road. Supported by Applewood Auto Group and CAN3X, the team will travel through the Rockies to face their biggest challenge, yet. They’ve shown they can survive the grind and come out stronger. Edmonton is the battleground to prove they belong among the best — and they’re not just going to show up. They’re going to roar.