2012 PROSPECT KHEM BIRCH ON BIG EAST RADAR

January 6, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment

Another native Canadian in New England prep school scene with a big future

Winchendon School is the home of an intriguing prospect in the class of 2012, 6-foot-9 native Canadian Khem Birch, who has drawn interest from many high major programs already.

While helping his team off to a 13-1 start, Birch told NBE Sports late last month that he was averaging approxomately eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks a contest. NBE got a good look at what has caught the eye of college coaches back in November at the National Prep School Showcase. While Birch is still growing into his game, he looks to be a dynamite player once it all comes together. He has great athleticism and leaping ability, and can play above the rim at both ends. Birch blocked shots and grabbed rebounds effectively. He is not overly skilled on the offensive end just yet, instead relying on his athleticism to get points.

In part because of his 15-point performance against Mack Academy, which Birch told NBE was his personal highlight of the season so far, he was singled out as one of the National Prep Showcase Top Performers selected by Jeff Borzello during his coverage for NBE Basketball Report of the event.

“Providence, Siena, Virginia, UConn, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Pitt, Purdue (and) Notre Dame,” responded Birch when recently asked by NBE what schools are actively recruiting him at this point.

The list of schools has grown considerably since November at the National Prep Showcase where he indicated Siena and Providence could be leaders in his recruitment. While it is early on in the process, the list is likely to get longer and when NBE followed up for an update Birch indicated that there are no leaders at this point.

In order to improve his offensive game, Birch is working to become more comfortable with his back to the basket and develop some post moves in the low post. The development from an athletic post player with potential and an impressive wingspan to a polished low post scoring option involves a lot of hard work. Birch aknowledges that and has a very good idea of the system he will be looking for in college to maximize his talents in a team that fits his style of play.

“I like to run the court so a team that does alot of fastbreaks and runs (a) motion offense will be the school I go to,” said Birch.

Keep an eye on this one folks…you can be sure many college coaches will be over t

thanks for the update! haven't seen khem in years, i was wondering what he was up to. by any chance, do you know what he weighs now? when i played with him he was pretty scrawny, he'll need to bulk up quite a bit if he wants to compete with college centers and power-forwards in the states.

2010 CANADIAN JUNIOR MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER
# Name Position Height Hometown School / Club (2009/10)
14 Sim Bhullar Post 7'4 North York, ON The Kiski Prep School
13 Khem Birch Post 6'9 Montreal, QC Winchendon School
5 Julian Clarke Wing 6'3 Toronto, ON Oakwood Collegiate Institute
4 Kenny Fred-Cherry Guard 6'0 Montreal, QC Archbishop Carrol
10 Myck Kabongo Guard 6'2 Toronto, ON St. Benedict’s HighSchool
15 Nic Langley Wing 6'7 Golden, B.C McGill University
8 Junior Lomomba Guard 6'4 Madison, WI Memorial High School
12 Emerson Murray Wing 6'3 Surrey, BC St. George’s School
9 Kemy Osse Wing 6’2 Montreal, QC Archbishop Carrol High School
11 Phil Scrubb Guard 6’3 Richmond, BC Vancouver College
7 Kevin Thomas Post 6’8 Ajax, ON Christian Faith Centre Academy High School
6 Kyle Wiltjer Post 6’9 West Linn, OR Jesuit High School

JUNIOR MEN CELEBRATE CANADA DAY WITH BRONZE AT FIBA AMERICAS U18
Last Updated: July 04, 2010
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Canada's Junior Men's National Team (JMNT) captured the bronze medal in an over time thriller on Wednesday, June 30 by defeating Argentina 86-83 at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men. With an overall record of 3-2, the JMNT has successfully qualified for a spot at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men in Latvia.

The Canadian boys finished second in Group B in the preliminary round, including wins over Uruguay (76-52), Puerto Rico (100-83) and a hard fought loss to Brazil (78-83). In the semi-final round, Toronto native Myck Kabongo posted an impressive stat line of 32 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in Canada’s loss to USA (89-122) to set up the bronze medal match against Argentina.

Bronze Medal Match – Game Recap:
Kyle Wiltjer (West Linn, Ore.) led the JMNT in scoring with 27 points while Kabongo scored 15 points and Julian Clarke (Toronto) added 14 points off the bench.

"It’s a great feeling,” said JMNT Head Coach Greg Francis. “These guys battled Argentina, and for these guys to make a lot of shots it was not an easy game, and I am really proud they fought the way they did."

The 6-foot-9 Wiltjer shot 9-of-12 from the floor, including 5-of-6 threes, and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. As a team, the Canadians shot 45 per cent from beyond the arc and 47 per cent overall.

“Argentina is always tough and this game was no exception,” said Clarke, who shot 4-of-5 from three including timely three-pointers in the fourth quarter and in overtime.

“We really came through in the clutch as a team. If Kyle and I don’t hit those late threes without Myck kicking it out at the right time, Khem [Birch] blocking shots, Kevin Thomas working his butt off. Everyone played an important role.”

Khem Birch

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* 2012: Power forwards (3)

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Fitchburg, Massachusetts
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* Ht:6'8"
* Wt:180 lbs
* Class:2012 (High School)

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Kehm birch to pitt. Hats of to jaime dixon. People knocking his recruiting. 5 star player ? How about the 2nd ranked player in the country. Pitt hoops is exciting !

Eager for an early glimpse of the highest-rated hoops recruit ever to sign with Pittsburgh, hundreds of Panthers fans jammed into the Greentree Sportsplex on Monday night to watch forward Khem Birch make his Summer Pro-Am debut.

What they saw was an athletic, high-energy big man more ready to make an impact on defense than offense.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Birch blocked eight shots, including two from future teammate Dante Taylor. Birch also scored a modest four points and grabbed just two rebounds, no surprise considering the McDonald's All-American's defense has always been his greatest strength and up-tempo summer-league games are rarely conducive to big men who want the ball in the post.

"I'm a little nervous to be honest," Birch told the Post-Gazette. "I know what the expectations are and I am ready for them, but I just want to relax and play my game. I want to do the things I am good at and just get better."

How much of an impact Birch can make next season will be one of the most intriguing storylines in the Big East. Birch could make an already versatile Pittsburgh frontcourt flat-out scary if he's Big East-ready, but the Panthers have traditionally succeeded by being the rare junior- and senior-driven program.

Maybe Birch breaks that mold, blossoms as a freshman and opens the door for future McDonald's All-Americans to come to Pittsburgh. Or perhaps it takes a couple years for the 6-foot-9 forward's offense to catch up with his defense and he follows in the footsteps of past Panthers stars who didn't truly shine until they were upperclassmen.

It's silly to draw too many conclusions from a summer-league game, but it was several of Birch's future teammates who flashed the most promise on Monday night.

Sophomore forward Talib Zanna erupted for 28 points and 11 rebounds in his opening Pro-Am game of the summer. And incoming freshman John Johnson tallied 26 points and six assists, displaying impressive 3-point range in the process.

"Maybe, but Dixon allows his team is starting to look, well, more like Pitt. The emergence of freshman Khem Birch has certainly helped.

Birch scored eight points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked six shots in an 81-71 victory over Robert Morris on Sunday, the latest step in the highly touted forward’s development.

It’s only been three weeks, but the recruitment of Khem Birch has taken plenty of twists and turns since rumors first started that he was leaving Pittsburgh.

On Monday, it ended: Birch is headed to UNLV, a source told CBSSports.com.

The 6-foot-9 Canadian power forward chose the Runnin’ Rebels over Florida. Xavier, Gonzaga, New Mexico and others were also in the mix at one point
possible first round nba pick