“Luyken Good” for UBC
Posted on 15. Feb, 2011 by Barry Hayes in Canada Spotlight, High School, Interviews
The Thunderbirds continue their trend of piling up top provincial talent with the announcement of Nakai Luyken (Abbotsford, BC/Yale) committing for next year.
As a 6’1” 195-pound guard, Nakai has made great strides in developing his all-around game over the past year. Known more for his great hang-time and dunks in past years, he now showcases improved ballhandling and outside shooting. Maybe the most intriguing skill he will bring to UBC is his ability to shut down opposing guards as a suffocating defensive presence.
“[Nakai] fits into our style of basketball really well. There are a lot of things that we really like about him,” said UBC head coach Kevin Hanson. “He comes from a winning program, he is a coach’s son, he is athletic and he really understands the game. He gets after it on the defensive end and then really pushes the ball in transition.”
Coached by UBC assistant coach Randy Nohr last summer, Nakai was a starter on the BC U17 team that won a Bronze Medal in Winnipeg. The coach allowed Nakai to show his versatility, earning some time as the lead guard and would fall back comfortably as a wing.
“Nakai is a great kid that comes from a good family,” said Nohr. “We really like his athletic ability, basketball knowledge…(and) he is a really good student. I really think he could be good.”
Yale Secondary School is the defending British Columbia AAA champion and has produced a number of solid basketball players in recent years, like Joel Friesen (Fraser Valley), Marek Klassen (Point Loma), Matt Letkeman (Calgary), and Josh Kufske (Fraser Valley).
UBC has also received commitments from forward Mitchell Jacobsen (6’8” 220) and guard Malcolm Williams (6’2” 190).
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