Canadian basketball star Tristan Beckford signs with NCAA's Arkansas State
'They made me feel like I was at home,' says Vaughan Ont., native
Another rising Canadian basketball star will make his college debut next year in the U.S.
Six-foot-five Tristan Beckford of Vaughan Ont., announced Wednesday that after considering numerous offers, he has decided to suit up for Arkansas State University for the 2025-26 NCAA season.
"I think the environment just separates it from all the other schools, the coaching staff is great, when I went to visit…they made me feel like I was at home and I really appreciated that," the 18-year-old said in an interview with CBC Sports.
Beckford currently attends Fort Erie International Academy, a private basketball preparatory school in Niagara Falls, Ont.
"At first, I definitely did not think that I would be going to play college basketball. I was just a random kid, seven years old, playing basketball for the Woodbridge Lions," he said. "So reaching this goal in my life, I feel very honoured."
This past June, Beckford represented Canada at the U18 Americas Championship in Argentina, where he led the team to a bronze medal, averaged 13 points per game and earned the all-tournament team honours.
WATCH | Beckford is ready for next step in his evolution:
He called it an honour to be able to compete on the international stage.
"It feels good to know that I have my country name on my chest and my last name on my back," he said. "Not a lot of people get to have that opportunity to go across the world to compete against other countries."
Down the line, Beckford hopes to represent Canada at the Olympics and has dreams of making it to the NBA one day.
Beckford also received offer letters from institutions including the University of Mississippi, Seton Hall, Boise University, the University of Iowa, Pepperdine University, Mississippi State University, Grand Canyon University, and Arkansas State.
"I just can't help but think how much you're going to add to our program," Bryan Hodsgon, head coach of Arkansas State University men's basketball team, said in a video addressed to Beckford. "I'm so excited to be able to work with you, so excited about your potential, but most importantly your work ethic, who you are as a young man."
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