Leading up to SportsCentres Year In Review on Christmas Eve, TSN and TSN.ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at the rapid rise of basketball in our country. In Canada, hockey has always been - and will most likely always be - the sport that produces the most professional talent. Yet over the past year it seems basketball north of the border is turning a corner. Most expected it wouldnt truly start until 2014. Andrew Wiggins, the freshman forward from Vaughan, Ont., is dominating in college ball with the Kansas Jayhawks and should go first overall in next Junes NBA draft. Well that all might still happen, but Wiggins wont be the first Canadian to ever be selected No. 1. That title went to Torontos Anthony Bennett of the University of Nevada, taken first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 6-8 forward hasnt had a stellar year – already getting unfairly booed by the Cleveland faithful - but the 20-year-old was never chosen with the expectation hed coast to a Rookie of the Year award. Bennetts potential and raw athleticism was what caught the Cavaliers eye. Regardless, it made history and it was a proud moment for Canadian sports fans. With Wiggins playing well in Kansas and being compared to a superstar-type player, the future is looking pretty decent. And Wiggins and Bennett are just the tip of the iceberg. On both the college and pro stage, Canucks are popping up at a rapid rate - and Canada could have the chance to not only qualify, but compete for a medal in the 2016 Olympics and beyond. The Cavaliers Tristan Thompson (Toronto), the Magics Andrew Nicholson (Mississauga), the Celtics Kelly Olynyk (Toronto), the Spurs Cory Joseph (Toronto) and the Lakers Robert Sacre (North Vancouver) are all young, talented and ready to put Canada on the map of basketball relevance. Dont forget about two-time NBA champion Joel Anthony (Montreal) of the Miami Heat. When it comes to NCAA ball – besides Wiggins – theres Kevin Pangos (Holland Landing, Ont.) of the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Nik Stauskas (Etobicoke, Ont.) of the Michigan Wolverines. Both teams are ranked in the Top 25 and will look to continue the trend when March Madness rolls around. The days of looking up to Victoria, B.C.s Steve Nash as the lone productive Canadian in the Association are long gone. Whether its better coaching at the grassroots level, more interest in the sport or just sheer luck, Canada is improving on the hardwood. This is the golden age of Canadian basketball and its only getting started. 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Wholesale Baseball Jerseys For Sale .Y. -- In a span of three days, Shabazz Napier and Connecticut knocked out both Philadelphia schools in the NCAA tournament.England flew to France on Monday ahead of Euro 2016 with expectations dampened despite having won all three of their warm-up games and boasting a 100 per cent record in qualifying. Roy Hodgson has lost just seven of his 52 games in charge of the Three Lions, but the 68-year-old arrives at his third major tournament under pressure after a disastrous World Cup in 2014, when England finished bottom of Group D with a solitary point. Sky Sports Euro 2016 predictor Make your predictions with our interactive wall chart here. Hodgsons 23-man squad make the journey to their Chantilly training base amid uncertainty over how they will approach their Group B opener with Russia in Marseille, with the former Liverpool boss torn between two formations, his favoured 4-2-3-1 and a midfield diamond, accommodating Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy. Chris Smalling scored the winning goal for England against Portugal All three started for the first time against Portugal at Wembley last Thursday, but after a drab 78 minutes the trio were promptly hooked.Chris Smallings glancing header four minutes from time was enough to spare their blushes, but the exercise seemingly raised more questions than answers. Substitute Raheem Sterling provided an inch-perfect cross for the Manchester United defender and it was his introduction alongside Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana that flickered England into life underneath the arch. Adam Lallana is part of Roy Hodgsons England squad Lallana will be hoping to register his first international goal in France after receiving his new PUMA evoSPEED II SL Leather Tricks boots for the tournament on Friday morning in his hotel room, which was walking distance from a cloudy Bournemouth sea front.Its always exciting wearing two different coloured boots, he said. It might not be everybodys cup of tea but its something different and I cant wait to start wearing them. Chris Smalling rises to head home the winning goal against Portugal Weve had three great results, said Lallana. You want to get in the winning habit and have a winning mentality.In every game we feel we could have played better, but its not always about performance. Against Russia Ill take a bad performance and a win.It will be Lallanas first appearance at a European Championships after making his international debut in 2013 in a 2-0 defeat to Chile, and he has been highlighted by former Barcelona playmaker Xavi as the key player if England are to go all the way to the final. Adam Lallanas Liverpool lost the Europa League final against Sevilla The winger began his career with Southampton after being spotted playing for Bournemouths centre of excellence but regularly returns to his hometown on the south coast to visit his family. Accompanied by his three-year-old son, Arthur, who was busy kicking a football at the wall and running up and down the corridors dressed in a full England kit, Lallana insisted the squad will be ready come June 11.All the teams focus will be on Russia now, he told Sky Sports News HQ.Its the first game, you dont want to lose your first match and its important we get off to a good start and build from there. I think its important to treat it as much of a normal game as you can. Former England international Rickie Lambert picks out his starting England XI ahead of Euro 2016 Theres always going to be hype but if we concentrate on our football and dont get too caught up in the emotion and what comes with it then Im sure well be fine.There are three games and Im sure six or seven points will definitely get you qualified. I think you just have to take it a game at a time.Obviously there is going to be a lot of hype and expectation about England doing well but as a player you just have to keep focused on the job in hand. Dele Alli is part of Englands young squad, the youngest at Euro 2016 It will be Englands youngest squad at a European Championships and second youngest at a major tournament after the 1958 World Cup, with an average age of just 25.8 years. On that occasion, Sir Walter Winterbottoms young side suffered an early exit after a 1-0 defeat to the Soviet Union saw England eliminated following three consecutive draws.While Hodgson has been criticised for selecting three central defenders in his squad, with Tottenhams Eric Dier likely to fill in at the back if required, Lallana insists its not a case of square pegs in round holes.Weve got the balance of a young, fearless team with a good blend of experience as well, he said. Its great to be versatile and weve got different options or plans that we can switch to. Lallana made it to two cup finals with Liverpool last season I think its good there is an element of surprise so the opposition dont know what were doing. I think thats a massive positive going into the tournament.Were not just going to have 11 players thaat are going to feature, if we are going to do well then you need the whole 23.dddddddddddd.The manager stressed that, so regardless of what team he picks for each game and what happens, suspension and injury-wise, you could find yourself not playing a minute in the first three games and playing in a big match towards the end of the tournament.Whatever team the manager selects, everyone will be behind him and behind the team to keep doing well. Danny Drinkwater was left out of Englands final 23-man squad Hodgsons squad announcement was met with scepticism from some, particularly the omission of midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who was instrumental in Leicesters charge to a first Premier League title.In-form Newcastle winger Andros Townsend also missed out alongside Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph, as Hodgson opted for reinforcements in attack, with Manchester United youngster Marcus Rashford favoured alongside Daniel Sturridge, Vardy, Kane and Rooney.Roy has stressed that it wasnt an easy decision for him and the lads have taken it very well and wished us all the best and Im sure that anyone who missed out would have done the same, said Lallana.Were a team and we knew throughout the course of the season there will be players playing, like Fabian [Delph] for example, who didnt make the squad but had a big impact in qualification so its part and parcel of football. Roy Hodgson played Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney against Portugal Following the emergence of Vardy this season - who fired Leicester to the Premier League title with 24 goals - it remains unclear what formation Hodgson will choose against Russia.Vardy has been utilised on the left on the international stage, at Lallanas expense of late, and the addition of 18-year-old striker Rashford alongside Sturridge will give Hodgson plenty of ammunition in France.Its remarkable to think three or four months ago he hadnt played a minute in the first team, said the Liverpool winger of Rashford.He looks at home with us training day-in day-out, he looks as if he has been there for years.It doesnt seem to have affected him and hes got such a mature head on such young shoulders and I think thats a big reason Roy selected him. Marcus Rashford capped a remarkable finish to the season with a place in Englands squad Rashford only made his United debut in February but went on to register eight goals in 18 appearances before scoring after just three minutes of his international bow in a dream debut against Australia at the Stadium of Light.It brings an element of freshness to the squad, its very exciting, Lallana added.Weve got a blend of young lads with experience that are fearless and havent played at a major tournament like Dele Alli and Rashford.A lot of players are playing off the back of a great season, look at Vardy and Kane and all the goals they have scored. Its very exciting a Roy has got a lot of options. Adam Lallana impressed as the season went on at Liverpool At 28, Lallana is one of the senior members of the England set-up and made a total of 48 appearances for Jurgen Klopps side, scoring eight goals.It was a campaign of mixed emotion for the German during his first season on Merseyside, finishing eighth in the Premier League and suffering penalty heartache to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final, plus defeat in the Europa League final to Sevilla.Ive enjoyed the season, said Lallana. There have been plenty of good moments and a couple of disappointing ones in losing two cup finals. But I feel like Ive learned a lot and hopefully I can take that into the Euros. Roy Hodgson and Gary Cahill speak to Sky Sports News after arriving in France ahead of Euro 2016 Lallana is one of five Liverpool players in the squad alongside Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Sturridge.Weve played for England together on numerous occasions so its quite easy to switch from club mode to international mode, he added.Sometimes its what you need, you want a change of scenery and personnel and thats what you get in international football, which can be a good thing.Sturridge has only featured for his country for 58 minutes since September 2014, but his inclusion was cemented after he proved his fitness after a calf injury, and Lallana is confident his team-mate can play an integral role. Daniel Sturridge made the England squad despite his injury concerns Sturridge was hitting great form towards the end of the season and scored some vital goals for us, said Lallana.He was always going to make the squad if he was fit; he brings something nobody else has got. He can change the game with a moment of class and Im really excited he is fit and raring to go.It remains to be seen whether Hodgson will unleash his dynamic young squad or assume a more pragmatic approach.Either way, Lallana will be hoping to announce his arrival on the international scene after a bittersweet season at Anfield.Adam Lallana wears PUMA evoSPEED II SL Leather Tricks available now at ProDirectSoccer.com #ChooseTricks Also See: Rooney dismisses streetwise fear Euro 2016 talent spotter Options please Hodgson No defence for England? ' ' '