Branden Troutman will be marking his return to the Vancouver Invitational this year. He’s a 3.5 from Edmonton, Alberta with a history in wheelchair basketball. Last year, he was invited to the wheelchair rugby prospects camp with fellow wheelchair basketball alum Joel Ewert. Ewert is also a 3.5 and will be playing for Team BC. Look for some intensity when Canada’s development squad plays BC Saturday at noon. Also, keep your eyes out for Kristen Cameron. She made major headlines  a couple of years ago when she declared her intent to make the National squad and head to the Paralympics ASAP. Britt Meyer and Faisal Burale have deserved nods on this roster as well; their home province Saskatchewan is missing from this year’s tournament.

You may have noticed that not all of these players are not what most would consider to be “development.” If Jared Funk isn’t fully developed, I don’t know when he’ll ever be ready.

He broke on the National team in 2002 and boasts 2 silver and 1 bronze Paralympic medals as a former member of the National squad. He’ll be playing alongside Paralympian Miranda Biletski and longtime veteran Cory Harrower.

Keep an eye on this (mostly) young group. I think they might surprise some teams.