Cassandre Prosper: 17-year-old Quebecer in NCAA
Young Quebecer Cassandre Prosper’s first NCAA points against the prestigious University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish have now been scored.
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Just 17 years old, Prosper rang in the New Year on Jan. 1 with a three-pointer in an easy 85-48 win over Boston College.
“It was a great moment for me,” agreed Prosper by phone. I immediately felt the fans cheering after that three-pointer. I also appreciated the reaction of my coaches and teammates. Everyone was happy for me and it warms my heart.
Working through 16 minutes, the Rosemère athlete eventually finished the game with seven points and a brilliant total of nine rebounds.
Mathuri’s female counterpart?
The University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team in South Bend, Indiana is well aware of the gem they have on their hands. At 17, the Quebecer is the youngest player on the team.
Still unknown in the Belle State, Prosper resembles Benedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers, who represented the boys a while ago.
“Benedict is a friend of the family,” said the young basketball player. I know him a little because he plays with my brother [Olivier-Maxence] in Montreal during the summer, but also at the NBA Academy in Mexico. Benedict knows how to stay humble, and if I had the chance, I’d love to play him with the Pacers later this season.
It is only a few hours’ drive from the University of Notre Dame.
Unusual atmosphere
Last November, Prosper agreed to join the Fighting Irish program, which was highly sought after by American universities. Formerly, 6ft. Quebecoise. 2 in. notably played at Laval, Pierrefonds, then honed his talent in Ontario and rose to prominence with the Capital Courts Academy team in Ottawa.
Prosper played its first three minutes of college action on Dec. 29 before the big game on Jan. 1. Quickly, despite his young age, he won the trust of coach Niele Ivey. At the same time, the crowd at the Joyce Center discovers the Quebecer.
“The atmosphere is extraordinary,” Prosper said. Fans have a connection to the team. When we win, they win. “It’s really nice to be in an environment where women’s basketball is embraced and well represented.”
dreams to fulfill
Prosper didn’t say it directly, but it’s different from Quebec, where hockey remains king and master.
Sooner or later, her Quebec supporters will grow, but she touched on her next dreams: a possible Olympic appearance with Team Canada and a career in the WNBA.
For now, Cassandre Prosper’s next game at the University of Notre Dame is on Sunday, January 8th on the road against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
A talented basketball family
Basketball success is a family affair with the Prospers.
Besides Kassandr, his older brother Olivier-Maxence, who is 20 years old, continues his career in the USA, in the NCAA. While the younger sister is just starting her college career with the Notre-Dame Fighting Irish, Olivier-Maxence is a well-established player with Wisconsin’s Marquette Golden Eagles.
“Seeing my brother excel has always been a motivation,” Cassandre said. He is a great example and role model for me.”
In 16 games with his team this season, the 6-foot NBA prospect. 8 inches, averaging 15 points per game. On November 17th, he scored 31 points in just 20 minutes in a 95-58 win over Long Island University.
Also last Tuesday, Prosper scored 29 points as Marquette defeated St. rallied from a seven-length halftime deficit to win 96-85 against St. John’s. Quebecer scored 25 of his 29 points in the second half.
in genes
Long before their children, Gaétan Prosper and Guylaine Blanchette each played basketball at Concordia University in Montreal and took turns appearing on the first all-star team of the Quebec Student Sports Network (RSEQ).
“They each bring a different perspective and help me on my journey,” Cassandre said of the different members of her family. After all, they are all great basketball players.”
Guylaine managed Cassandre with the help of Gaeta as part of the Nobel Elite program at Laval. At the age of 14, he was already playing with teenagers.
Glorious past
Before going to Concordia and eventually coaching basketball, Mom served as an NCAA Division I coach at Manhattan College in 1993-94. He was also named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Rookie Team.
About the father, at the end of the 1995-1996 season, he was named the athlete of the year with the Stingers, named after the former doctor of the Montreal Expos. He won the Robert J. Broderick Award. all sports are combined.
On December 11, Olivier-Maxence was at the University of Notre Dame, where her sister is currently thriving. Marquette then won 79-64 against the Fighting Irish, with the Quebecer scoring 14 points. Cassandra calmly encouraged her older brother in the crowd.
Adding to the family portrait, Jay Prosper, a former star player at Concordia and now assistant coach of the men’s team at the University of Montreal, is Olivier-Maxence and Cassandre’s uncle.
