In what is a sure sign that Canadian basketball is on the upswing, the Toronto Raptors worked out two Canadians on Wednesday ahead of this months NBA draft. Torontos Melvin Ejim and Quebec Citys Khem Birch went through their paces in front of the Raptors scouting staff. Birch, who played at UNLV and declared for the draft after his junior season, points to Vince Carter as one player who caught his eye growing up. "Vince is probably one of the best Raptors of all time. He had a big impact on all of us," said Birch. "Even though he wasnt Canadian, you thought he was Canadian because he played here and everyone embraced him." Birch is projected to be drafted late in the second round but that hasnt deterred him from making his best impression in workouts. "I dont look into mock drafts," added Birch, who has already worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. "Those guys dont really know what goes on in a GMs mind. It only takes one team to like you and if you feel youre ready, youre ready." As for what he could bring to a potential NBA lineup, the 69 forward knows his strength is under his own basket, despite scoring a Big 12-record 48 points in a game this season. "I bring a defensive energy," he said. "Thats the type of player I am and thats why I left (school). I proved myself in college, I was defensive player twice." Satchel Paige Jersey . -- Catriona Matthew remained atop the Airbus LPGA Classic leaderboard Friday, birdieing four of the last seven holes to take a one-stroke advantage over Charley Hull into the weekend. Cleveland Indians Jerseys . A day after FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said three stadiums would not be ready in time for the Dec. 31 deadline, Brazilian officials said they actually plan to deliver all six remaining venues after that date. They claim only three are delayed, with the other three being handed over after the expected date only because of problems accommodating the schedule of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who wants to be present for the ceremonies. http://www.indianssale.com/indians-jason-kipnis-jersey/. Thats the feeling that eight Canadian Football League teams are experiencing right now in advance of the expansion draft to stock the Ottawa Redblacks. Joe Carter Jersey . Selected by the Titans in the 2007 NFL Draft, Johnson rejoined the club last season after a five-year stint with Indianapolis. Manny Ramirez Jersey .com) - Bradley Beal deposited a season-high 33 points and John Wall posted another double-double as the Washington Wizards went on the road and beat the Houston Rockets, 104-103.Spokane, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - The third-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs continue their quest for a possible No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, as they play host to the Portland Pilots in West Coast Conference action on Thursday. Portland enters the contest having lost four of its last five to fall to 12-9 on the season and 3-6 in conference. The Pilots, who are just 3-4 in true road games, dropped a 74-64 decision to visiting Saint Marys last Saturday, and theyve won only twice in their last eight games overall. At the opposite end of the spectrum resides a Gonzaga squad that has won 13 straight games and owns an impressive 20-1 record for the season, which includes a 9-0 league ledger. The Bulldogs are 11-0 at home this season, and they own the nations longest active home winning streak at 36 in a row. Their last home setback occurred on Dec. 8, 2012. These two teams met in Portland back on Jan. 3, and the Bulldogs claimed an 87-75 victory. As a result, Gonzagas lead in the all-time series was extended to 94-66, and it has won 20 of the last 21 meetings overall. Kevin Pangos and Przemek Karnowski scored 21 points each to lead the Zags in the first meeting, while Alec Wintering finished with 20 points and eight assists for the Pilots. Bryce Pressley scored 18 points and Thomas van der Mars logged a double-double consisting of 16 points and 13 rebounds, but those efforts werent enough to push the Pilots past the Saint Marys Gaels last weekend. Additionally, fellow starters Kevin Bailey (13 points) and Wintering (10 points) reached double digits as well for Portland, which struggled to hit a mere 30.2 percent of its field goal attempts, actually shooting better from 3-point distance (.444) in the game. Conversely, SMC drained 46.2 percent of its total shots, while claiming a commanding edge in points in the paint (32-16). Portland was guiltty of only five turnovers, while Saint Marys had 10.dddddddddddd Bailey is averaging 14.1 ppg to pace three double-digit scorers for Portland, as he is joined by Wintering (13.2 ppg, 5.6 apg) and van der Mars (10.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg), who help out in other areas as well. The team as a whole is putting up 72.5 ppg while allowing 68.9 ppg, and it is shooting a solid 38.4 percent from beyond the arc while earning a +5.1 advantage on the glass. Furthermore, the Pilots have converted 72.4 percent of their free throws this season. Gonzaga entertained Pacific last Saturday, and the game got out of hand early as the Bulldogs rolled to a 91-60 victory. The Zags put forth a balanced attack as five players finished in double figures, led by Karnowski and Gary Bell, Jr. with 13 points apiece. Collectively, the team shot 60 percent from the floor, knocking down 11-of-25 3-point tries in the process, while at the same time limiting the Tigers to 33.3 percent field goal efficiency, which included a paltry 22.7 percent showing beyond the arc. Gonzaga doubled up its guests both in points in the paint (40-20) and second-chance points (16-8), while nearly doing the same in bench points (39-20). Kyle Wiltjer has been GUs most potent scorer this season, as he nets 15.8 ppg behind a stellar 53.7 percent shooting effort. Karnowski (10.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) has been better from the field (.612), and Domantas Sabonis is shooting a ridiculous 72.7 percent in tallying 9.8 ppg to go with his club-best 6.7 rpg and 17 blocks. Kevin Pangos (12.4 ppg, 4.9 apg) is one 3-pointer away from establishing the new school record for career treys. In all, Gonzaga has six players averaging at least 8.5 ppg, each of whom helps the team put up 81.6 ppg. The squads defensive stance permits only 60.7 ppg, and the Zags are +8.7 in rebounding margin, and +2.0 in turnover differential. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys discount uswnt jersey Wholesale AC Milan Jerseys Wholesale Arsenal Jerseys Wholesale A.S. Roma Jerseys Wholesale Atletico Madrid Jerseys Wholesale Chelsea Jerseys Cheap Barcelona Jerseys Bayern Munich Jerseys For Sale Cheap Borussia Dortmund Jerseys Cheap Inter Milan Jerseys Juventus Jerseys From China Leicester City Jerseys For Sale Discount Liverpool Jerseys Wholesale Manchester City Jerseys Manchester United Jerseys For Sale Wholesale Paris Saint-Germain Jerseys Real Madrid Jerseys From China Cheap Sevilla Jerseys Authentic Tottenham Hotspur Jerseys ' ' '