Canada’s Lee cherishes playing The Western Slam in home country

By Lethbridge Herald on November 29, 2024.

UC Irvine’s Torian Lee defends Adrian Wooley of Kennesaw State Owls during The Western Slam at VisitLethbridge.com Arena on Thursday.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Western Slam NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament in Lethbridge has Canadian players playing in it and for one western Canadian player, he is excited to be playing in the tournament in his home country.

Freshman guard Torian Lee is from Surrey, British Columbia and plays for the California-based UC Irvine Anteaters.

“It’s means a lot, honestly, ” said Lee.

“It’s really cool for me to come back home and play in my country, especially because there’s not that much opportunity to play in the NCAA being from Canada. So I think it’s great having this opportunity for the NCAA to come up here.”

Lee thinks it helps having these types of events to grow the game in Canada.

“I grew up playing (in) Canada my whole life,” Lee.

“Like playing on local teams, we’ve travelled across the border, so I think that’s helped us show Canada that we can ball out too.”

Lee’s American teammates  have been shocked with the weather.

“They’re not used to this obviously,” said Lee.

“So some of them are seeing snowfall for the first time. So it’s cool to share that experience with them.”

Lee was asked about the early season team bonding at The Western Slam.

“(It) just (gives) us more exposure to different levels of competition,” said Lee.

 Anteaters head coach Russ Turner didn’t realize it was UC Irvine’s first time playing in Canada.

“We’ve tried to learn a little bit about the culture here but the friendly nature of the people has been the thing that’s been most impressive to me and to our group,” said Turner.

Turner thinks the quality of teams that are at the tournament is what gives Canadians a taste of what NCAA Division I basketball is about.

“I hope there will be a good appreciation,” said Turner.

“We know there are outstanding players in Canada, we also know there’s outstanding coaches in Canada. We’ve got tremendous respect and that’s why we’re here.”