Bearspaw trio bouncing up the basketball ranks
By: Jeremy Nolais
Jordan Bachynski
Bearspaw’s Bachynski family knows its way around a basketball court.
Mother Yolanda got the ball rolling, so to speak, starring for the Alberta provincial team about 25 years ago.
All three of her children would follow her footsteps onto Team Alberta — Jordan in 2006, Dallin in 2008 and Jessica earlier this year.
“We like to tease my husband that we are four-for-five,” Yolanda said.
“He played hockey growing up, so I guess that is OK as well.”
All three kids began playing basketball as youngsters. Jordan drew first interest from scouts as a larger-than-life talent at Calgary’s Centennial High School and began fielding recruitment inquiries from mid-level National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) schools south of the border.
However, instead of taking his game to the next level, the 7’2, 245-pound centre opted to follow his Mormon faith on a two-year mission to Florida.
There, he was met with a strict routine that consisted largely of studying scripture and participating in various church activities — he was only granted two phone calls home per year.
Dallin Bachynski played for the NCAA’s Southern Utah Thunderbirds last season. Photo submitted
“It was a very hard decision because I love basketball so much but I just had a feeling I had to go on a mission,” Jordan recalls. “So I went with that feeling and I don’t regret it at all.”
Jordan’s mission president did give him some latitude to continue participating in the recruiting process, and, as word of his ability and towering frame got around, interest from power-conference NCAA schools began to grow.
Eventually, the now 20-year-old signed on with the Arizona State Sun Devils and will first suit up for the team this fall.
He is believed to be the tallest player in the school’s storied history, which includes 13 NCAA Division 1 Basketball Championship tournament appearances and nearly 40 alumni selected as NBA draft picks.
“Looking at the team and where I’m at, I really think a great goal for us would be at least the (conference title),” Jordan said. “I am feeling great and really looking forward to this year.”
Sun Devils associate head coach Dedrique Taylor was involved in recruiting Jordan and is looking forward to seeing what he can do after spending two years away from the game.
“He’s an unbelievable kid, his maturity jumps off the page at you,” Taylor explained. “He’s a lefthander that can score and move well around the basket. Those are the guys that make the NBA.”
Jordan credits much of his success to the playful rivalry he shares with younger brother Dallin, who himself stands 7’0 and weighs roughly 230 pounds.
“We’ve always scrimmaged against each other. It’s a constant battle,” Jordan said.
Jordan Bachynski will suit up for the Arizona State men's basketball this season after going on a two-year mission. Photo submitted.
After winning three Calgary high school city championship titles with Centennial and Sir Winston Churchill, Dallin embarked on a different path than Jordan, signing with the NCAA’s Southern Utah University Thunderbirds.
As a freshman last year, Dallin averaged 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in limited action for the Thunderbirds.
“It was a tough year and I did not get as much time to play because I was going to go on a mission and the team had to develop the guys that would be there next year,” Dallin said.
“But as they say, you learn more from your losses — or your trials — than you do from your wins. So this last year, I learned a lot.”
Now, Dallin has just begun his period of religious devotion in Croatia.
The 18-year-old plans to ask for a release from Southern Utah and is uncertain where he wants to play when he returns to basketball.
“Mom and dad always said that if you work hard you will excel at whatever you choose,” Dallin said.
“Of course, you have to have some talent at what you choose, but putting in the extra time is what makes people great.
“I want to be great and I am not afraid to work harder and push harder than anybody else.”
And while Dallin and Jordan have already ventured into life after high school, the best may be yet to come from the baby of the bunch.
“I think Jess is the best of us all,” Jordan said of his 16-year-old sister. “She is just the best all-around player, she has the best shot and is just so focused.”
Jessica Bachynski is also drawing interest from scouts south of the border. Photo submitted
Jessica represented Alberta earlier this month at the 2010 Canada Basketball National Championships in Toronto, helping the provincial team to a fifth-place finish.
Her coach for that tournament, Dawn Smyth, said the talented forward is an intimidating presence on the court.
“She has got an unbelievable will to fight,” Smyth said. “One thing I think these coaches look for is someone with a work ethic. Jess takes feedback really well and implements it onto the floor. I think she has not only the structure but the skill level and the killer attitude to play at any level.”
Jessica said at first she didn’t take basketball seriously, playing mostly to appease her parents, but that all changed as her natural talent emerged.
“I kind of just started deciding for myself that I wanted it, and then you start playing a lot better,” she said. “I changed my attitude towards it and ended up loving it.”
And much like her older brothers, scouts have begun taking interest in Jessica’s ability.
“I kind of want to follow in my brother’s footsteps,” she said, pointing out Utah Valley University as her top choice after high school. “They are both such good role models for me.”
Jordan said openly communicating with his siblings about the often-daunting life decisions made during and after high school has made the transition easier on all three of them.
“Basketball is a huge part of our lives,” he said. “It’s something we are able to talk about and learn from one another.”
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Hey Jordan,
From one Calgarain to another, great game against UCLA! I attened the Janaury 29, 2011 game against UCLA and did not realize that you were on the team, so after the game I look you up on the Sun Devils’ website and sure enough it was you. What a pleasant surprise to see you play again, especially when you played one of your best games. Your team has a great opportunity to grow over the next three years to compete for a Nation Championship.
I recall seeing you for the first time at the Sugar Bowl. I was there to see my son played for Churchill. You still post up too far from the hoop, get some weight on that butt and plant it. Also work on that post up – step back jumper. Its your generation’s Jabar shot. If you want me to show you the practise routine to prefect the shot, call me 403.803.6488.
All the best, take care. I will try and get Cody down to see a game of yours.