Virginia commit Sharma named Canada’s National Player of the Year

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia recruit Ishan Sharma has been named the 2024 Canadian National Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-5 sharpshooter wrapped up his final year for Fort Erie by winning the 3-point shooting contest in the All-Canadian High School All-Star Showcase, and by leading Fort Erie to the Canadian high school national championship.

Sharma, who made 13 3-point shots in one game this season, is expected to make an immediate impact on UVA’s team.

“Ishan was a dominating force on Uplay Canada,” Josh Millican, a top Canadian basketball recruiting analyst, told JerryRatcliffe.com. “He’s a coach’s dream in terms of leadership and off-court character. He’s 6-5 and can score from anywhere, but he’s not a high shot-attempt guy. It’s within the offense. He doesn’t need 20 shots to be effective. He can get 8 to 10 shots and impact the game dramatically.

“He’s unbelievable with the ball in his hands. He’s a three-level scorer but doesn’t dribble the piss out of it. He’s a tactical playmaker in a sense he’s not beating guys with sheer will or athleticism … he’s thinking the game, finding your weaknesses and exposing them. He’s thinking two, three plays ahead and can’t be rattled by trash-talking.”