EDMONTON

There’s Andrew Wiggins, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ budding superstar who is taking the NBA by storm.

There’s Tyler Ennis, a bright point guard with a promising future on the Phoenix Suns.

There’s Nik Stauskas, who has already carved out a regular spot in the Sacramento Kings’ rotation.

All came from Malcolm Duvivier’s hometown. All are products of the same AAU program he was part of.

All were taken in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft.

“Those guys are doing such big things, it motivates all us Toronto guys that are playing in the NCAA,” said Duvivier. “It just shows that it’s possible to get to that next level and make an impact. So to know those guys are doing so well just makes me work harder every day because I know I can get to where they’re at.”

A born-and-raised Torontonian, Duvivier is flourishing in his sophomore season at Oregon State University, where he is logging heavy minutes while quarterbacking the offence on a Beavers team that has proven highly competitive this season in the Pac-12 conference.

Averaging 9.6 points and a team-leading 3.6 assists per game, the six-foot-two point guard is just another validation of the basketball talent is in his homeland, which is now annually cranking out NCAA players, who are subsequently going on to the NBA at an ever-increasing rate.

“People know there’s talent in Toronto, a lot of coaches are going there looking for players now,” said Duvivier, who spent several years with CIA Bounce, which claims the last two No. 1 NBA Draft picks, Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, as alumni.

“I think the exposure we have available now has opened the doors for so many guys to have the opportunity to go play Division 1 basketball and get NCAA scholarships and so on.”

Upon graduating from St. Michael’s high school with a 3.5 GPA, the bright student chose to attend Oregon State with a mind not just for hoops, but education as well.

“It’s a long way from home, but it’s a school that has such an upside,” Duviver, 19, said. “It’s a family atmosphere, and just it’s a great place for me to build as a person and a basketball player, so I just felt it was a good fit.”

After playing a backup role as a freshman, when he averaged 3.1 points and 0.4 assists, Duviver has seen his playing time with the Beavers triple this season to 34.8 minutes per game, which ranks eighth in the Pac-12.

“I knew after my first year it would be a transitioning period, because I knew a lot of guys were leaving so I’d have an opportunity to play a lot in my sophomore year,” Duviver said. “So to have the opportunity to play 35 minutes a game in one of the best conferences in NCAA basketball is just a privilege.”

If he continues to develop at present rate, there’s no reason to think Duviver can’t one day join Ennis, Stauskus, Wiggins, et al.

“After I get my degree and finish playing basketball here at Oregon State, hopefully I get a chance to go to the NBA, but if that doesn’t (come) through hopefully I get a chance to get a job overseas somewhere and work my way from there to play in the NBA,” he said. “Those are my goals.”

brian.swane@sunmedia.ca

@SunBrianSwane

BIG GAME

Villanova at Marquette, noon MT Saturday, FOX

Brampton’s Dylan Ennis and the Wildcats, who have emerged as a serious Final Four contender, will be looking to avoid an upset when they visit the Golden Eagles in a Big East battle.

TOP CANADIANS

Yohanny Dalembert, James Madison, Sophomore/Forward

15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists in 86-65 win vs. Elon on Feb. 14

Josiah Moore, Tennessee Tech, Sophomore/Guard

20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists in 82-68 loss vs. Jacksonville State on Feb. 14

Dyshawn Pierre, Dayton, Junior/Forward

15 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists in 75-61 win vs. Saint Bonaventure on Feb. 14

Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Florida State, Freshman/Guard

20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists in 57-53 win vs. Georgia Tech on Feb. 14

NCAA RANKINGS

As of Feb. 17, 2015

1. Kentucky (25-0)

2. Virginia (23-1)

3. Gonzaga (26-1)

4. Duke (22-3)

5. Wisconsin (23-2)

6. Villanova (23-2)

7. Arizona (22-3)

8. Kansas (21-4)

9. Utah (20-4)

10. Notre Dame (22-4)

11. Northern Iowa (24-2)

12. Louisville (20-5)

13. Wichita State (23-3)

14. Iowa State (18-6)

15. North Carolina (18-7)

16. Maryland (21-5)

17. Oklahoma (17-8)

18. Arkansas (20-5)

19. Butler (18-7)

20. Baylor (18-7)

21. Southern Methodist (21-5)

22. Oklahoma State (17-8)

23. West Virginia (19-6)

24. Ohio State (19-7)

25. Virginia Commonwealth (19-6)