Queen's Men's Basketball is coming off their most successful season in program history, capturing their first OUA Wilson Cup Championship since the 1956-57 season, and earning silver medal at the U SPORTS Men's Final 8 Basketball Championship.
Cole Syllas' highlight reel buzzer beater to win the Wilson Cup and the Gaels' subsequent run to a second place national finish, highlighted a season that further cemented Queen's Men's Basketball into the national spotlight.
In recent years, the program has developed into a pipeline for student-athletes to enjoy success on the court after their time with the Gaels.
Michael Kelvin is the latest Gaels basketball player to join another team after experiencing success with Queen's. Kelvin announced on Monday that he is joining Oklahoma State in the NCAA next season.
"When I take a step back and look at the growth of the program over the last 13 years, there is a lot to be proud of," said Queen's Men's Basketball Head Coach Steph Barrie. "You get lost in the day-to-day process of trying to get everyone giving their best to improve, so to reflect and see the results of what can happen when you get a group of people all working together on a common purpose is rewarding. The part that is the most rewarding is that we have worked hard as a staff to re-structure the program in a way that really gives individuals in the program the space to grow. We have prioritized them feeling a sense of belonging and having them develop their identities as young men. Focusing on not basing value as an individual on wins and losses.
"In terms of players seizing opportunities to continue to play basketball, it's important. Queen's was not a destination people thought of when it comes to playing professionally after university. But that has changed. The best thing about that change is that our players who have signed pro basketball opportunities have been players who have done so without sacrificing their commitment to their academics. And they have done so without being players that were hunting statistics, they did it while playing for the team first."
Kelvin (Arts) earned a scholarship with Oklahoma State after finishing last season with 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game through 20 games last regular season. Kelvin has been with Queen's Men's Basketball since 2020, playing the last three seasons after the COVID-cancelled season. After limited minutes his first season, Kelvin averaged 9.2 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game during the 2022-23 season.
"As much as it breaks our hearts to see Michael transfer to Oklahoma State, we understand the opportunity that this presents for him," Barrie said. "Michael came to us during the Covid year and was so new to the game, it was hard to envision how he could get himself to his current level. Michael just put his head down and worked hard and over time things started to come together. He was patient and when his opportunity came, he seized it. His development over the last two years has been incredible. We wish him the very best in his new challenge."
"I'm very excited to join OK State in the NCAA and I'm expecting a big year of development and growth," Kelvin said. "This is a really amazing opportunity and I'm super grateful."
A number of Queen's Men's Basketball players have also translated their time with the Gaels into professional contracts after graduation. Earlier this summer, Syllas signed with AO Mykonoy BC in Greece after also spending two summers playing in the CEBL. Syllas recorded 4.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game playing for the Brampton Honey Badgers in the CEBL this summer.
"We are all excited for Cole as he embarks on this journey to play in Greece," Barrie said. "The fact that his father is from Greece and Cole has lots of family there, makes it even more special. He has earned every accolade and opportunity he has gotten. What most people think of when they think of Cole will be the shot that he hit to win the Wilson Cup or how he was the program's first ever U SPORTS First Team All-Canadian. What I think of is how he set a new standard for work ethic and passion for being a member of our program. His impact has been so immense."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to go back to my father's country and play pro basketball," Syllas said. "It's been a goal of mine and the experience is definitely something I look forward to. From my conversations with coaches and future teammates the club shares a lot of the values and competitiveness I have grown accustomed to at Queen's. And of course, enjoying the Greek culture, landscape and basketball is definitely something to look foward too."
Kelvin was also a CEBL draft pick, playing two games with the Ottawa BlackJacks this summer, while Cole's brother Luka, who returns to Queen's this year after having been named U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year last season, was selected by the Niagara River Lions in the CEBL Draft this past summer.
Kelvin and Syllas are the latest of a number of former Queen's Men's Basketball players to go pro. Quinton Gray, who played with the program from 2017-22, signed with Kamza Basket in the Albania Superleague. Henry Van Herk, who played with the Gaels from 2016-22, signed with Iserlohn Kangeroos in Germany. Tanner Graham, played from 2014-19, played five years in Germany, most recently with the Dresden Titans of the German Pro A League. Jaz Bains, who played from 2017-19, played with the Reading Rockets from UK in the NBL Division 1. And Greg Faulkner, who played from 2012-15, played in France, most recently with Berck/Rang du Fliers.
Both Kelvin and Syllas credited Barrie and Queen's Men's Basketball for furthering his development on the court, and helping them earn their opportunities outside the program.
"Coach Steph does a great job teaching players pro basketball concepts that are universally understood around the basketball world," Syllas said. "Through skills, terminology, and mindset I feel that Queen's has given me the guidance and experience to make this transition to European basketball."
"I just want to thank everyone at Queen's Men's Basketball. Through it all, I am grateful for all that the program has taught me and the lifelong friendships I have developed along the way. I would not be where I am today without the support of so many at Queen's Men's Basketball present and past. I look forward to continuing to follow along with the program's success and growth."
"My time with Queen's Men's Basketball helped a lot with my development on and off the court," echoed Kelvin. "I couldn't have even dreamed of going to a (NCAA) Division 1 school before 9coming to Queen's and now I'm going to a top D1 conference, so I think that speaks to the growth that the Queen's Men's Basketball program has helped me achieve.
"I'm extremely grateful to God firstly for getting me this far and then I have to give a big thank you to Steph, (Queen's Men's Basketball coaches) John (Curcio), Greg (Faulkner) and all of the staff who helped me on my journey the past four years. Also a huge thanks to all my brothers on the team who I worked with every day to get to where I am now."
Barrie said he's happy the program has developed into something that helps student-athletes who play for the Gaels get opportunities to further their careers, both on and off the court.
"Opportunities and accomplishments in the end are about people," Barrie said. "We keep that at the forefront. Spending time trying to help people develop into the best version of themselves has always been what our staff focuses on. The success comes in so many forms; many of our players don't play professionally, but they all have taken their experiences here to help them in whatever field they have chosen to pursue.
"I get just as much satisfaction from someone landing a new position, getting a promotion, getting into a Masters program, or even just figuring out what they want to do in life, as those who play professionally. At the end of the day, all the players who have come through our program have given a tremendous amount of themselves to help build it. Seeing them succeed in their lives is very rewarding."
