Utilizing his silky smooth jumpshot and aggressive drives to the basket, Aaron Rhooms continues to be an offensive catalyst for the TMU Bold.
For his efforts, Rhooms cruised to a consecutive OUA (Ontario University Athletics) First-team All-Star selection after averaging 18.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
It was another accolade for the USPORTS star, who won OUA and USPORTS rookie of the year honours in 2022.
This summer however, it was about embracing every part of the basketball journey, no matter what role he’s given.
The 21-year-old represented Team Canada for the first time in his career at GloblJam in July. The tournament was held in his familiar environment of the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
“I love playing here during the school year, and being able to play here during the summer wearing Canada across my chest, I feel twice as proud,” Rhooms said following Team Canada’s opening tournament victory against BAL Select. “Being in front of my community means everything to me.”
Rhooms was deployed as a role player off the bench for the national team, often placed as a defensive wing.
Despite the change, he is using every opportunity to learn and grow.
“Learning to adapt, that’s the biggest thing, that the biggest opportunity to fit in any place,” he said.
Familiar faces joined Rhooms at GloblJam. TMU men’s head coach Dave DeAveiro was an assistant on Nathaniel Mitchell’s staff and Scarborough Shooting Stars centre Thomas Kennedy served as a veteran presence for the squad.
With the national team, Rhooms said it was about collective influences to his game.
“Everybody is chipping in with positive affirmations, helping me with the plays,” he said. “The best thing about the group is that we all want to win and improve.”
After a thrilling 17-point comeback against Germany to reach the Gold medal game, Canada would fall to the University of Kentucky 89-72, who represented Team USA.
Following the second place finish, Rhooms’ partnership with Canada Basketball continued in late July. Rhooms was selected for FIBA’s 3×3 U23 Nations League, where his offensive skill set thrived in Rancagua, Chile.
Locally, Rhooms’ openness is evident in his other roles as well.
While he dominated in the Brodie League’s Division I against fellow USPORTS players and former pros, the focus was seeking mentorship and guidance as a bench player for the Shooting Stars.
Rhooms was a second round pick for Scarbourgh in the 2022 CEBL draft last year, the team’s inaugural season.
The playing time was not there, but Rhooms viewed the experience with the current CEBL champions as a crucial experience for his career long-term.
“It’s about building relationships at this early stage, [and] it’s going to mean a lot in the future.”
Along with Kennedy, point guard Cat Barber joined the Shooting Stars and became the veteran leader during the team’s championship run. Barber’s experience as a pro, as well as his unwavering focus on winning, were noted as positive takeaways from Rhooms.
As the summer comes to an end and the TMU Bold get set for the 2023-24 season, Rhooms looks back on the past four months as essential towards both improving his play this year and sustaining the growth wherever his career takes him.
“I’m completely humbled and proud in that regard,” he said reflecting on the opportunities he has been afforded in USPORTS and at the national and pro levels.
