One year ago today, the George Brown College (GBC) Huskies Men’s Basketball team made history and won the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championships for the first time in 44 years. Beating Humber College 78-65 and bringing home the gold, this was a monumental moment for the entire GBC community. Little did the team know, however, that it would be their last game for twelve months. 

“I was honestly in shock, especially since this program has always been competitive for so long. There have been so many good teams in the past and so many dominating seasons that just came up short. It was a touching feeling to know that we were the team that finally put it all together and brought that banner back home since the seventies,” says Kingslee D’Silva, one of the Huskies forwards that season. 

During the game, D’Silva scored a game-high 20 points as well as 13 rebounds, three blocks and a steal in the victory. He was also named Champion MVP of the three-day tournament during the Provincial Championship. 

D’Silva says he was happy to end his years of varsity sports in victory as a Huskies team member, and that he misses the feeling of being a part of something bigger than himself.

“GBC was my last year of eligibility and I’m extremely glad I picked this school to finish my varsity years off,” says D’Silva. “I knew I wouldn’t be playing again after last year regardless, however, I do miss it so much, just teammates, coaches, road trips. More than anything I miss my team warmups, just the excitement before the game and knowing you were part of something bigger than yourself.”

D’Silva, who is now furthering his education and completing courses at Guelph University, says without college sports, there isn’t anything to look forward to anymore.

“As a student, I definitely have more time on my hands but there isn’t anything to look forward to anymore. Really trying to have more passion for your academics even though you dedicated yourself to a sport that is no longer accessible to you. But overall, I am a more productive student. But definitely not as happy or fulfilled without varsity sports.”

With OCAA sports activities currently on a hiatus amid the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the GBC Huskies Men’s Basketball team continue to hold the memory of this win close to their hearts. D’Silva says he has to thank his teammates for always supporting him throughout the season when he wasn’t playing his best. 

“That kept me motivated and helped me to really perform during that tournament when it mattered.” 

Photo courtesy of GBC Huskies