During the Labour Day weekend, a basketball tournament was held in Delta, B.C. to commemorate the life of Duncan Anderson, a beloved coach who spent 37 years coaching and left a legacy that resonates in gyms and arenas across the lower mainland. The tournament consisted of 34 teams across six divisions playing in a 3v3 format under FIBA rules. The primary focus of the tournament was to raise funds for the Duncan Anderson Memorial Scholarship, which is being supported by Basketball BC.
John Anderson, the son of Duncan Anderson, spoke passionately about the scholarship, stating, “Our aim is to raise funds for the scholarship and expand the number of scholarships we can award. We want to celebrate his achievements and the impact he has had.” Coach Anderson’s exceptional focus on details allowed him to bring the best out of his players on and off the court, unleashing their full potential.
Many players who had the privilege to learn the X’s and O’s under Anderson have gone on to become coaches and share their knowledge in the programs they now lead. Several players from Anderson’s Delta Pacers roster in 1993, including Nick Day, Phil Deeks, and Onkar Bahia, became coaches. In honour of Anderson’s legacy, former players volunteered and organized the tournament, a testament to Anderson’s impact on his players. John Anderson expressed his thoughts on the event, saying, “We had the organizing committee with my brother, Onkar Bahia, and Bob Sidhu, but we also had a lot of my dad’s former players show up to help on the day. It was great to see everyone come together to put on this event and remember my dad.”
Over 140 players and 34 teams across six divisions participated in the tournament, with plans to expand the event in the future. The goal is to transform the tournament into a basketball festival that celebrates the sport and includes food trucks and activities for attendees. John Anderson shared his vision, stating, “We have already begun planning for next year. Our goal is to make it a two-day event with an elite division and a girl’s division.”
Ultimately, the tournament was not just a tribute to Duncan Anderson but also a demonstration of the power of basketball to unite people and strengthen communities. The passion and dedication of everyone involved, from the players to the volunteers, reflect the positive impact Duncan had on everyone he coached. The Duncan Anderson Memorial Scholarship will continue to honour his legacy and ensure that his impact on the basketball community endures for years to come.
