Brothers leaving basketball mark.
Josh Gibson-Boscombe, front, has racked up big numbers during his time with the Ottawa Gee Gees basketball program. The Jarvis C.I. alum is considered among the best basketball talent in the country.
Photo/COURTESY
Looking at the numbers he's racked up in his five years with the Ottawa Gee Gees basketball program, one could argue Josh Gibson-Bascombe is among the best hoops talent in the country.
Bookended by league Rookie of the Year and Athlete of the Year honours to start and end his five-year term with the Gee Gees - not to mention an all-time leading scorer title last year - the Jarvis Collegiate alum officially wrapped up a remarkable university basketball career in April.
And he ended it all in fine fashion, finishing first in the country in assists (Canadian Interuniversity Sport), Top 10 in points and points per game and Top 5 in steals per game and free throws.
"It's been a good experience," said the 24-year-old, 6'4" guard over the phone from Ottawa. "I knew this was my last year so I wanted to make sure to leave it all out there."
He's quick to credit a coach who "pointed me in the right direction" and a team that "put me in the position to be able to accumulate those types of statistics" this year.
Being a captain and a regular starter with Basketball Canada's development team that participated in the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Games last summer didn't hurt his development either.
By his own admission it improved his game exponentially and ability to lead.
"I've struggled with (being a leader) in the past, but playing on that team helped a lot," said Bascombe, a sociology major. "I think I did a way better job this year helping the younger guys because of it."
A multi-sport athlete in high school, he could have gone the prep school or junior college route after graduating in 2005, but he said he wouldn't have gained the experience he gained in Ottawa.
"This was where I fit in the best and where I thought I would be most successful," he said. "I met a lot of good people here. They're like family."
Speaking of family, the Gee Gees are making some room for another Bascombe for next season.
Josh's younger brother Jacob, who like his brother played basketball, soccer and volleyball during his time at Jarvis C.I., is returning to the Gee Gees lineup this year as a third-year point guard.
Jacob, 22, attended Eastern Commerce Athletic Preparatory (Prep) Program before signing on with the Gee Gees in 2007. He took this year off.
"Hopefully he'll continue the Bascombe legacy," said his older brother.
Jarvis Collegiate basketball coach, Peter Moravec, has a term for guys like Josh: "a stat-stuffer". He said he was always there with a nice rebound or a pretty dish, he said.
"Not only can he score, but he can rebound and get assists as well," said the coach for 13 years whose team won a city title and provincial bronze medal in the triple-A division this past season. "Some guys are kind of one-dimensional, but he pretty much did everything... and when we needed it."
"After he left, Jacob took the mantle and he became our leader, in terms of running the team, scoring, assists - he stepped right in."
"I hope it all works out for Jacob."
As for Josh, his university days may be done, but his basketball career has lots of life left yet.
He's keeping his fingers crossed for a phone call from the national senior team and will, in the meantime, work on finding a pro league to play out of - perhaps in Europe.
"Right now I'm looking for an agent," he said. "I should know for sure by mid-summer where I'll be playing."
Coach Moravec agrees: "He has the stats. He can show what he's done. He may have to start in a lower conference (in Europe), but he'll move up to the bigger competition."