Jersey Untucked: Tesloth Simon
By Bilal Siddiqui
Tesloth Simon will return to the Fairall Fieldhouse basketball court this November in hopes of leading his esteemed Windsor Lancers to their 11th Wilson Cup and challenge Carleton’s dominant reign in Ontario.
It will be a significant moment, not only for the fifth-year guard, whose aspirations for his final season involves national glory, but also to the other talented hoopers on Simon’s contending Lancers squad. For some, it will be the first time they step onto the hardwood after COVID-19 emphatically shut down all U SPORTS season(s) 18 months ago.
The effects that COVID-19 will have on our lives and our futures have tirelessly plastered our news waves for two years. For a student-athlete like Simon, navigating this pandemic has been equally trying and eye opening.
It requires a heavy amount of discipline to maintain academic requirements and continue to train for basketball when most of your interaction with coaches, teammates, and classmates is done virtually. Simon mentions how he focuses on ‘controlling the controllables’ and making the most of an unusual year for U SPORTS. This meant an added focus on his off-court endeavours.
“For the first time in my career, I had the opportunity to focus on my academics, take care of my body…focus on the little things I didn’t have time for.” Simon, who is playing under fifth-year eligibility with the Lancers, graduated with honours in history, and is enrolled in his second year of teacher’s college.
The time away from the court allowed him to hone his off-court passions, which includes coaching and educating. In his words, it is about wanting to give back, even beyond the game of basketball. Teaching has always been a passion because of the influence of role models growing up. ‘Stephanie Cooney, that’s my person. Chris Edwards…a bunch of coaches along the way, high school coaches…they all tie into just giving back.’.
The experiences his coaches have helped him gain, combined with the improvements made to his game, makes the sharpshooting combo guard keen to implement the lessons he’s learned as a hooper into his passion for teaching.
“Basketball has always been the foundation that’s helped me to get this far. A lot of the things I’ve learned through basketball are the reasons why I’m going to most likely be a good teacher,” said Simon. “A lot of things are relatable. Just having that experience. Building connections, relationships. Dealing with different people. Ultimately it ties into the teaching aspect. In all levels we’re continuing to learn as individuals.”
As the veteran on the team, Simon’s expected by coaches and teammates to be a leader, especially to younger players. During a pandemic year, it’s hard to maintain the connections and locker room camaraderie players develop when they get to train and practice together everyday. This can make a difficult transition for first- and second-year players on the Lancers squad as many have yet to experience a full season of OUA competition.
Zoom meetings can’t capture the natural chemistry players get with on court and in-game experience. That’s why it’s up to Simon to step up and keep his teammates grounded and focused on their basketball and educational goals. He’s a reliable voice for the rookies with other veterans and coaches on the team and takes new players under his wing.
A player-led program, the Lancers rely on veterans like Simon and third-year forward Thomas Kennedy, to help rookies adapt to the student-athlete life. Sending texts and calling to check up on new players and making sure they keep up with their academic obligations is how the Lancers’ veterans are helping the rookies to adjust.
“[The coaches] give us the formula, and it’s our responsibility to execute,” said Simon. “ They’ll give us information and it’s on us, myself (and Tom), to make sure the guys know what we’re on.”
Fundamentals and high basketball IQ are important parts of Simon’s game. He’s spent time in the NCAA, playing basketball for the Missouri S&T Miners. Playing against athletes south of the border gives Simon an extra edge as someone who is used to high leverage situations and hostile environments. The pressure and high stakes of ball in the NCAA prepared Simon for grueling practises and training sessions. His scoring and physicality are complemented by his high motor and disciplined defense capable of guarding multiple positions.
Simon finished top 20 in OUA for points (16.4), rebounds (6.5), blocks (0.7), and steals (1.7). The Lancers have high hopes for their versatile 6’3 guard. The pandemic gave Simon the opportunity to lock in and train even harder in preparation for a thrilling last season at Windsor.
“[Best I’ve felt] in terms of confidence. Body wise. Mentally…I controlled the controllables,” said Simon. “[I] got my body right and worked on my game.’
All of which ties into the creation of Why Not You Basketball, a free, online basketball training platform. Partnering with his cousin, Chuder Teny, a former basketball player and current assistant coach for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, the duo came up with the idea in the fall and worked on it during the cancelled OUA season. Their shared interests in basketball and teaching coupled with a desire to help people grow is an important factor behind the Why Not You Basketball message.
“We came up with the name. That name is powerful in what we do. We come from a background of not having anything, of once being refugees, coming to Canada. Graduating with honours and having sports take us to various places (including the states) …If we can do it, why not you, there’s no excuses. You are in charge of your destiny.”
Why Not You Basketball offers hoopers an online coaching platform aimed at developing basketball skills for players of all ages. Their classes range from basic fundamental skill training to elite on-court basketball drills offered both in-person and virtually through Zoom. The aim of the program is to make it safe and easy for hoopers to find reliable and consistent basketball coaching during the pandemic and beyond. They currently operate in Windsor and Waterloo, but Simon mentions the goal of expanding and adding more coaches to the roster.
With Teny’s playing and coaching experience, and Simon’s already heavy basketball resume, Why Not You Basketball has the credentials to help hoopers reach the next level. As a former member of Missouri S&T, Simon’s experience south of the border gives him a diverse skillset, having experienced firsthand the quality of NCAA basketball. But Simon and Teny have decided their method of teaching will start with the most important skill first.
“Always fundamentals. If you can develop those fundamental skills, then you can work on the oos and ahs. But we always try to incorporate the fundamentals in terms of what’s going to get you to the next level.”
With lockdowns and COVID-19 protocols, times proved to be challenging as it was hard to secure valuable gym time. But once facilities reopened, the duo kept busy with outdoor training camps and private sessions. The influx of young basketballers interested in receiving training from Why Not You Basketball has been overwhelming, and Simon and Teny must now look to expand the team as they return to their playing and coaching obligations for the 2021 season.
His ability to take over games on both sides of the floor gives Windsor a unique two-way star as they tackle a grueling 2021 campaign. A deadly scorer capable of shooting off the catch or dribble, posting up, working from the block or the wing, or even guarding the opposition's best player, there’s nowhere on the court his coaches can’t play him.
His 40-point performance against the Algoma Thunderbirds (including 10 threes), or his dominant 20 and 20 (24 PTS 22 REB) outburst against the Nipissing Lakers serve as reasons why folks around the Fairall Fieldhouse are buzzing about their Lancers’ chances this fall. Led by their captain and surrounded by a roster brimming with talent and experience, Windsor has everything needed for Simon to dominate in his final OUA season. But personal stats are in the rear-view for Simon.
“Win the championship. Even if I average zero points. If I don’t score a single basket, but I win a championship in Windsor, I accomplished something. Guys know me. They know what I can do. I know I can score 20 per game. But if I win a championship, I’m happy.”
All of this sets up one final season for Tesloth and his Lancers. Simon has a plan in place for how he’ll tackle the juggling act of basketball, coaching, and his final year in teachers’ college. Suffice to say a season ending with a Wilson Cup, or if the stars align, a U SPORTS National Championship, would be the ultimate send off for the Lancers two-time captain. A banner year for the Windsor Lancers decorated basketball program is in his sights.
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