Long Island University’s improbable March Madness bid is powered by two Toronto guards whose bond and battle-tested paths have ignited a 24-10 season, turning a three-win program into a No. 16 seed facing Arizona amid a cultural exchange that defines their Cinderella run.
In a college basketball landscape dominated by blue bloods, Long Island University has emerged as the ultimate underdog story, and at its heart are two Canadians who have transplanted Toronto toughness to Brooklyn. Jamal Fuller and Malachi Davis, both from Toronto high schools, have not only led the Sharks to their first NEC championship and a March Madness berth but have also infused the locker room with an international vibe that transcends the court.
The transformation is staggering. Just two years ago, LIU managed only three wins in the 2022-23 season. Now, under coach Rod Strickland, the Sharks are 24-10 and dancing. Fuller, a sharpshooter who connects on 43.8 percent of his three-pointers, averages 16.5 points per game, while Davis, the redshirt senior guard, adds 14.4 points. Their synergy, forged at Central Technical School in Toronto, is evident in Davis’s no-look passes and Fuller’s aggressive finishes through contact—a chemistry that Fuller says “absolutely” translates to Division I.
Joining them are three more Canadians: fellow Torontonian Caleb Johnson, Winnipeg’s Shadrak Lasu, and Vancouver’s Max Ndlovu-Fraser, all role players who embody the team’s north-south pipeline. Johnson, from rival Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary, brings a “dog” mentality, according to Davis, proving the Toronto basketball scene’s depth.
This isn’t just a basketball story; it’s a cultural narrative. The Canadians have introduced their American teammates to Tim Hortons, poutine, and the art of pizza dipping sauces, while dispelling myths about igloos. “They’ll ask, like, ‘Oh, are there igloos?'” Fuller laughs, noting Toronto’s 3-million-strong population. Their pregame playlist features Drake, bridging national divides through music.
Yet, the on-court impact is what truly matters. As a No. 16 seed in the West Region, LIU faces No. 1 Arizona at 1:30 p.m. Friday in San Diego—a daunting task, but one the Sharks embrace. “Now the entire Sharks team is ready to Mountie up,” Fuller said, channeling Canadian pride. Strickland’s preparation has been instrumental, emphasizing that “with privilege, there’s pressure and every game is hard-earned and not given.”
Strickland’s methods are unorthodox yet effective. During scrimmages, he withholds calls to teach his team that “the game isn’t always going to be in our favor.” Brutal summer runs, as Davis recalled during the NEC press conference, forged physical and mental toughness. “He changed us for [recognizing] that,” Fuller added.
The Canadians’ journeys are emblematic of perseverance. Davis played junior college ball at Lake Land in Illinois, while Fuller started at the Division II Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Neither went from high school straight to Division I. “We had the longest journey,” Davis reflected. “We never came out of high school and went to D-I. We had to grind.”
This grind has positioned them as pioneers. “Now that we’ve gone to the tournament, you guys can do it too,” Davis declared. “We paved the way for you guys to come out here.” Their success opens a narrower pipeline for Canadian talent to reach America’s biggest stage, proving that mid-majors can be launchpads.
The 2026 NCAA tournament features 68 teams, with LIU’s inclusion marking a seismic shift for a program that once floundered. While the odds of upsetting Arizona are slim—No. 16 seeds have never beaten a No. 1—the Sharks’ mindset, forged in Toronto winters and Strickland’s demanding system, makes them a fascinating watch. Their story resonates beyond brackets: it’s about cultural exchange, resilience, and the power of shared history.
Fuller and Davis initially hoped for a Buffalo site to ease travel for their Ontario families, but San Diego will do. Their chemistry, honed on Toronto courts, remains the X-factor. “He can send me a no-look pass with borderline telepathy,” Fuller said of Davis. Such synergy is rare and could spark moments of magic against the Wildcats.
As the tournament unfolds, LIU represents more than an underdog; it’s a testament to how international perspectives can elevate a program. From explaining poutine to embracing Drake, the Canadians have made LIU a home away from home. Their run challenges the conventional wisdom that only elite recruits can thrive in March, highlighting instead the value of cohesion and character.
For fans following the madness, this Sharks squad offers a narrative rich with local pride and global connection. Whether they shock Arizona or not, Jamal Fuller and Malachi Davis have already redefined LIU basketball, proving that sometimes, the best stories come from the True North.
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