Ask any athlete and they will say there is nothing quite like representing your country for the first time.

Fonthill native T.J. Hurley got to do just that recently when he was named to Team Canada for the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary. The basketball event ran from June 24 to July 2.

The former E.L. Crossley student was one of 50 athletes invited to a mini-training camp held Easter weekend. From there, 14 athletes were selected to attend a training camp and exhibition tournament in Croatia. After the tournament ended, 12 players were named to Team Canada.

It was a memorable moment when he heard he had been selected for the squad.

“One of my dreams had come true. I had always dreamed of playing for the national team since I was a kid, representing my country and playing the sport that I love.”

The dream continued when he saw his uniform for the first time.

“Walking into the locker room and seeing my jersey hanging up with my last name and the Canadian flag on it was a crazy feeling,” the 19-year-old said. “It made me realize how much this game means to me and how much it can do for me.”

The national team tournament capped an incredible few months for the Vermont scholarship player, who played in his first NCAA tournament and was named to the America East All-Rookie Team after averaged 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and a 41.2 three-point percentage in 31 games played.

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