SAN JUAN

The lengthy list of NBA players have garnered most of the headlines, but quietly, one of the best players in the history of Canadian Interuniversity Sport has been amongst the top performers.

That would be Phil Scrubb, who led Carleton to five titles and is the only three-time CIS most outstanding player.

Starting in one game and coming off of the bench in three more behind Cory Joseph, Scrubb asserted himself as the first-choice backup point guard for Jay Triano’s senior men’s squad.

During the first three games — all wins — before Wednesday’s late finale against host Puerto Rico, Scrubb averaged 11.3 points per game (fourth-best on the team), 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists (10th-best in the tournament and only 0.8 behind Canadian leader Joseph).

It’s not a shock that Scrubb has been a favourite of the coaching staff — lead assistant Dave Smart has been at the helm, overseeing Carleton’s dynasty and has referred to Scrubb as one of his favourite players to have coached. Triano has leaned on Scrubb before in international competitions.

But there’s no favouritism at work here, Scrubb has performed admirably when called upon, as expected.

“Phil’s been great and we’re not surprised,” Triano said.

“We watched him in (NBA) summer league, we’ve watched him win national championships and two different teams that he played for in the summer league (the Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies) were both very impressed with the way he’s played and he’s carried that over to what we’re doing now.”

Teammate Dwight Powell has enjoyed working with Scrubb on Canada’s extremely successful second unit, whether Scrubb is running the team, or playing off of the ball at shooting guard.

“We’ve been gelling well,” Powell said.

“Phil’s definitely, whatever position you put him in he’s going to compete. He’s a great player, he’s a great defender, he can run a team if he has to, but he can also score, so no surprises from us to see him play the way he has. He’s a great player.”

In typically humble fashion, the quiet Scrubb refuses to get carried away about his play. He’s more concerned about how the team is doing.

“I think it’s a good start, especially defensively, I think we’re picking it up pretty quick and the intensity is always there no matter who comes off of the bench or who starts,” Scrubb said.

“We still have a few things to work on, but I think it’s a good start.”

While Scrubb has thrived, fellow point guard Olivier Hanlan has found himself on the outside looking in, playing only 15 total minutes over the first three games, including only three over the most recent two before Wednesday.

Still, Triano has indicated that he wants insurance at guard, meaning Hanlan still could make the final cut.

TALENT NOT EVERYTHING

Canada has far more NBA players than any other team either here, or starting next week at the qualifying tournament in Mexico City.

But if anyone thinks that NBA chops alone mean automatic wins, they are mistaken.

“I said before the tournament started it doesn’t matter how many NBA players we have, that doesn’t guarantee or give us anything,” Triano said.

“We have to become a good basketball team. If we become a good basketball team, then this is going to be a fun team to be around. Our goal obviously is to get ready for next week, and to be ready when we go to Mexico.”

DIFFERENT RULES

Canada’s NBA players are used to playing under a different set of rules than at FIBA competitions. That gives other countries an edge because they are so familiar with the difference, but a handful of Canadians play overseas.

That includes Melvin Ejim, who loves trying to knock shots off of the rim, which is allowed in FIBA, but not in the NBA, where it is penalized.

Ejim is trying to teach his teammates some of the tricks he has picked up.

“Oh definitely, it’s part of the game, part of the European game, so it’s important to know how to do it so some of the guys are catching on and hopefully we can get better at it,” Ejim said.

AROUND THE RIM

Hands up everyone who is shocked Argentina’s Luis Scola led this tournament in scoring entering play Wednesday. Scola has been the top player at the Tuto Marchand Continental Cup many times and, at 35, is still rolling, averaging 19.5 points per game, despite shooting just 52.4% from the free-throw line. Canada’s Anthony Bennett ranked seventh, tied with Minnesota Timberwolves teammate Andrew Wiggins. Scola also leads in rebounding (8.5) ahead of Bennett (8.3), with Canada’s Dwight Powell ranking fifth. Before Wednesday, Canada was averaging 51 rebounds per game, the next closest opponent was the Dominican Republic at 38.3 per game.