USports Most Likely to Breakout Series: Alberta’s Kyle Varner.

USPORTS Breakout Watch: Kyle Varner (University of Alberta)

If you followed Canada West hoops last season, you’ve probably already heard the name Kyle Varner. The German-born guard made an instant impact with the Alberta Golden Bears, putting up 11.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 1.6 APG on solid efficiency (42.7% FG, 35.7% 3FG). That was good enough to earn him Canada West Rookie of the Year – and he’s only just getting started.

From Germany to Canada

Varner’s basketball journey started in grade 6, following the footsteps of his older brother

“I started playing basketball for a team in grade 6. It was just playing for the same team as my older brother, so I was following in his footsteps. From there, I just fell in love with basketball, kept taking it more and more seriously, and kept rising through the ranks.”

He grew up in Germany, then made the move to Edmonton two years ago after high school. He spent a year hooping at Western Canada Prep Academy (WCPA) before landing at Alberta.

Playing at the College Level

Coming from Europe, Varner feels like his background gives him a unique perspective. He discussed the differences between the style of play in Europe and in Canada.

The biggest thing is being able to play off the ball — spacing, making reads, cutting. That’s a skill more prevalent in Europe. In general, how you play together as a team is just different.”

However, Kyle emphasized how his season at WCPA allowed him to adjust to the Canadian style of play. Varner still recognized how the transition to college ball can be a whole different animal.

The pace and physicality is different. Every play, you have much less time to make a decision, especially on closeout’s. You need to play off an advantage and maximize it quickly. Defensively, it’s also the physicality, I have had to guard bigger, stronger players than I was used to.

Learning from the Pro’s

This summer, Varner got valuable reps with the Edmonton Stingers in the CEBL. For him, it was less about stats and more about soaking up how pros operate.

“Learning how to be a professional. Watching guys like Sean East — how they approach practice, lifts, and take care of their bodies — was eye-opening. Seeing players in their seventh or eighth year still performing at a high level was inspiring.”

This Season’s Goals

After his rookie season, Varner is zeroing in on two things: becoming a tougher defender and a more reliable shooter.

“I’d like to continue improving defensively… Playing with the Stingers gave me the chance to guard a lot of high-level players and I want to bring that experience to Canada West and become a go-to defender… Shooting, too. I want to be a better three-point shooter and really make people have to run me off the line.”

Shooting-wise, Kyle doesn’t have a long way to go. He ranked 8th in Canada West last season in 3-pointers made (as a rookie!).

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With a Canada West ROY already under his belt and pro experience before even hitting his second season, The 6’6 guard is lined up for a breakout sophomore year. We look forward to covering Kyle throughout the USports Season.