Dream come true’: Ottawa’s Marial Shayok drafted by Philadelphia 76ers

23-year-old guard takes step toward becoming Ottawa’s 1st NBA player

CBC News · Posted: Jun 21, 2019 6:51 AM ET |

Less than 12 hours after he found out he’d been drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, Marial Shayok, was at the Macdonald–Cartier International Airport to catch a flight south. He had some inspiring words for anyone who has wanted to play in the NBA: “Dream big and strive to reach your goals and your dreams.” (Kimberley Molina/CBC)

“It was a dream come true. It’s something, obviously, I’ve been dreaming about since I was a kid,” said Shayok as he was about to board a plane to head to the United States to start his new career, less than 12 hours after getting the news of his draft.

“A lot of kids dream and few make it a reality.”

Basketball is in Shayok’s blood. His brother, sister and father all play the sport and he grew up playing with the neighbourhood kids in the Walkley and Russell roads area of Ottawa.

He also credited Matthew Koeslag, his former coach at St. Patrick’s, and his high school teammates for helping him get to where he is.