Axton, Bekkering on Canadian teams

Eastern Washington University basketball players Marc Axton and Henry Bekkering are wearing different uniforms this summer.

Axton has been selected to play on the Canadian national team that will travel to China next week. Bekkering is a member of Canada’s U-20 national team that is in the midst of a busy summer schedule.

“We’ve put together that we think is the future of our national team and hopefully it’s a team that will be together for a long time,” Canadian national team coach Jay Triano said. “We’re hoping this is the majority of the team that goes (to the Olympics) in 2008.”

Axton grew up in Tacoma, but he’s eligible because his mother is from Canada, Triano said.

“I’ve known (former EWU coach) Ray Giacoletti for a long time,” Triano said. “We recommended Marc pursue this and that he obtain Canadian citizenship or get a Canadian passport. Ray and I agreed this would be a great alternative for him to play in the summer on a national team.”

Axton was one of 23 players invited to Toronto for tryouts this week. Twelve made the roster, many of whom play at U.S. colleges, including Connecticut’s Denham Brown, Niagra’s Juan Mendez and Richmond’s Jermaine Bucknor.

The Canadians leave Monday for the Four Nations Tournament in Beijing and Urumuqui from July 9-16. Canada will play two games against the Olympic-bound Chinese team and Yao Ming, two against Croatia and two against Brazil. Canada failed to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games last year, losing to Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico for a qualifying spot.

“Marc’s just a good all-around player,” Triano said. “He’s been well coached. Ray’s done an excellent job with him. Marc plays good defense, he works hard and he can hit the outside shot and extend the defense.”

Axton will see time at small and power forward, Triano said. Axton was not available for comment.

The 6-foot-7 Axton is a two-time All-Big Sky first-team selection and was the conference freshman of the year in 2001-02. The three-year starter has averaged 9.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in his EWU career and his 111 3-pointers rank third in school history.

“I’m just thrilled he has the opportunity to compete at that level,” new Eagles coach Mike Burns said. “He’s worked hard on his game and it’s a great achievement for him to have this opportunity. He was playing in some pick-up games at our team camp (last month) and he was playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play.”

Bekkering, a 6-6 wing from Taber, Alberta, scored 11 points in the Canadian U-20 team’s 104-83 win over China on Wednesday at the Global Games in Dallas.

The Canadians, who have suffered one-point losses to the U.S. and Lithuania, were 1-2 heading into Friday’s matchup with Croatia. The Global Games are a tuneup for the Canadians, who will host the U-21 Tournament of the Americas in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from July 28-Aug. 1.

Bekkering redshirted at EWU last year, but he’s expected to play a prominent role this season.

“These are very prestigious honors for Henry and Marc,” Burns said.