During Canada's great quarter-final 100-89 victory against Slovenia this week in the FIBA World Championships / World Cup, the Sportsnet television network gave us a real lesson in history. Very near the end of the game, the broadcasters were celebrating the tremendous play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a game-high 31 points in leading our National Men's Team into the semi-finals.
It was a great game, and his play was something special. Flashed on the television screen was a Canadian's record for most points in a World Championship game. Shai's 31 points put him fourth on the list. And who was #1, you ask?
Manitoba's own Carl Ridd scored 37 points in a game vs. The Philippines in the 1954 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro. It's easy to forget or overlook those who played before most of us were even born. However, that does not mean their accomplishments were any less significant, and we are glad that we were reminded of how dominant “King Carl” was in his time. He was the first Manitoban offered an NBA contract and the first Manitoban to be inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame (1980). He is a member of our Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame (1983) and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame (1983). We all should celebrate Carl and his many accomplishments.
More information about Carl Ridd can be found at our Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum and on his biography page on this website.