Basketball journey brings Rattlers’ Linklater back home

The dream for many athletes is to one day play for their hometown team.

For Michael Linklater, that dream became a reality on Saturday.

The Saskatoon-born basketball player was drafted by the Saskatchewan Rattlers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) in the open round of an eleven-round draft.

Linklater is ecstatic that professional basketball made its way to Saskatoon.

“When I found out I was drafted by the Rattlers I was really excited and happy, not really for myself but more so for our community and our city,” he said on Monday.

“To have a direct connection with people who are going to be coming to the game and seeing the excitement first-hand is going to be a big thrill for me.”

Linklater is well known in the Saskatchewan basketball community, having helped the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to it’s first national championship in 2010 before making the switch to FIBA 3×3 basketball.

Current Rattlers head coach and general manager Greg Jockims was also the head coach of the national champion Huskies.

Linklater said when he got the call from his former coach to suit up for the Rattlers’ inaugural season, he could not refuse the offer.

“It just really gave me the sense of family,” he said. “It speak volumes to the organization for recognizing hometown guys to build the team around.”

After finishing his university career, Linklater joined the FIBA 3×3 World Tour in 2012.

Linklater is the top ranked Canadian on the 3-on-3 circuit and no. 28 in the world. He said it is not uncommon for World Tour players to play professional basketball while fulfilling their 3-on-3 duties.

“There is a bit of a stipulation in their contracts where the teams do release them to compete in 3×3 tournaments,” he said. “Speaking with Greg there might be a weekend or two where the schedules will conflict but I’ll still be representing Saskatoon and Saskatchewan on the basketball level.”

The CEBL will tip off their inaugural season in a little over a month.

The league consists of six teams. The Rattlers will join three teams in Ontario, one in Edmonton and one in British Columbia.

Linklater said he likes the approach the new league is taking.

“What’s going to set this up for success is the route they have gone, making sure this is a Canadian league for Canadian players,” he said. “What basketball has given me is what I hope this league gives to future generations of basketball players.”

He also said he hopes to give back to the young kids who might look up to him.

“I remember being that young kid and looking up to other players,” he said. “I recall what it did for me when those players would acknowledge me and say ‘hi.’ I want to make sure I repay that to future generations.”

The Saskatchewan Rattlers start their season May 9 when they face the Niagara River Lions at SaskTel Centre.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Keenan Sorokan