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The fact that Wiggins, a 20-year-old who is brimming with potential, was given the responsibility and privilege of being second in line over fellow Canadian legends – Simon Whitfield, Mike “Pinball” Clemons, Donovan Bailey, Fergie Jenkins, Bobby Orr, and Mark Messier – who contributed to the ceremonies is nothing short of remarkable for the state and development of Canadian basketball.

The NBA is being flooded by Canadian talent with Wiggins standing as the most prominent figure internationally. The former NBA Rookie of the Year often draws comparisons to some of the NBA’s best, including four-time league MVP LeBron James.

Although Wiggins ultimately passed on the opportunity to play at the Pan Am Games in the hopes of earning an Olympic berth via the FIBA America Championships later this summer, it’s clear the love for his sport and for the development of it in Canada is becoming an increasingly mutual feeling.

Leading up to these Games, however, there was a common feeling of disappointment at the lack of NBA talent participating – the sentiment being that the Pan Ams are an inconsequential event for many, including the highest level athletes found at the Olympic Games.

But after watching spectacular performances by Cirque du Soleil and the long list of Canadian sporting legends in attendance Friday night, one would be hard-pressed to argue the city of Toronto felt the same.

This was an international showcase – something to get the world talking and acknowledging what Toronto was capable of.

And with this in mind, as millions of people watched around the world, it was a pair of basketball players who were given the ultimate responsibility of topping off a night that represented what Canada was and where it’s headed in sports.

This story was produced by students from Centennial College in Toronto in conjunction with Postmedia.