Zubair Seyed, is the definition of a hooper who has seen it all. As you will see through this interview, Seyed has not only played at multiple levels, but has flourished at every level of hoops he has played at since high school.
This year in the OUA, Seyed has been one of the most proficient and efficient scores within the entire conference. He has led Ontario Tech to being recognized as one of the best teams throughout USPORTS.
Seyed is a model human being overall, and it was a pleasure having the chance to talk about his inspiring career thus far.
Early Days
1. When did you start playing, and what were some of the main influences that led to you wanting to play basketball at a high level?
I started playing basketball around the fourth grade. In the area I grew up in, basketball was really big. I looked up to the older guys who were playing at the time. I went to high school at St. Bernadette Catholic and stayed with one team. We ended up winning OFSAA Silver in my last year. I came up playing on the blacktop and hooping out in the city with my older brothers.
2. You’re remembered in Canadian high school hoops for your 52-point game against St. Mike’s. Do you feel like that game put more people on notice about your scoring and playmaking abilities? What was your mentality that senior season?
That senior season, a lot of kids and players were starting to go the prep route. That’s when hoops really started to boom—Orangeville and all those prep schools started around that time. The mentality that season was simple: win. Winning would put us on the map. I thought to myself, Go out there and play my best. In that game, we were up by 1, and I ended up fouling the guy. He hit two free throws, and the game was done. But playing against St. Mike’s—a team with D1 and pro-level players—put me on the map. Before that, I wasn’t ranked, but afterward, I was ranked in the 30s by North Pole Hoops.
3. What are your thoughts on the basketball scene in Canada? How do you think it can improve, and how do you feel it’s already improving?
Canadian hoops, in general, is getting better, especially with the media now. For me, one area of improvement is the formatting of the OUA and USports schedules. Playing Fridays and Saturdays makes it hard to attract fans. Integrating games within the week would bring in more people, and
effectively more money.
In high school, everything’s prep now—that’s the scene.
Collegiate Career
4. When you first committed to TMU (Ryerson), was playing at the college level an adjustment, or was the transition comfortable for you?
Ammanuel Diressa was my mentor. He’s a USports legend. One of the best coaches Iever had, Roy Rana, was also there. It was definitely a challenge, playing against fifth-year players as a first-year guard. The transition from high school to college was tough—the game is faster, and the guys are bigger—but I adjusted well because of the high school system I grew up in, plus the ability to shoot that I always had.
5. After playing at TMU, you transferred to Division 1 JUCO, Daytona State. What was your experience there? What did that experience do for your character?
Playing at Daytona was a movie. It’s one of the top JUCOs in Florida, and we played against high-major guys—some nights, we were up against NBA-caliber players. I held my own, starting and making the all-conference team. I had some great games there. It’s one of the best levels of basketball I’ve ever played. At the same time, JUCO is definitely the trenches. It’s a cutthroat game out in America. Even living-wise, it was tough—we were starving sometimes, and when it rained, our house would flood. But if you can get through a JUCO season, you know you love basketball
for real. That experience made me stronger as a player and a leader. We had guys from all over—Africa, Brazil, Puerto Rico, America. It showed me I could play at a high level with really good players.
6. Eventually, you reached your goal of playing D1 NCAA basketball at Utah Tech. How did your skills translate to that level?
When I got there, I realized how high the level was. It’s the highest level of basketball right under the NBA in America. My skills translated well—running a system, being scrappy, and bringing something unique to the court. Being in a D1 atmosphere helped me learn how to be professional and appreciate the resources I had. It taught me to focus on the present and not get stuck on “what ifs.”
7. What went into the decision to transfer back to Canada and play at the University of Fraser Valley?
I had some interest from smaller schools in Ontario, but a mentor out in BC, Adeel Sahibzada, encouraged me to try out UFV. They had a new coach, and it felt like a nice change of scenery. My first year was the COVID year, and my second year, we didn’t play, but we had a solid squad with guys like Jio Khan, Vick Toor, and Dylan Kinkley.
8. Being someone who has played at all levels of collegiate basketball, how would you compare the levels? What are some similarities and differences in skill, talent, coaching, and resources?
A huge difference at the highest levels is defense—how guys pick you up and the defensive strategies. It’s a lot harder to score at the D1 level, mostly because of the athleticism and resources. At places like Utah Tech, we could get into the gym at any time. At lower levels, it’s tougher for coaches who have full-time jobs and can’t dedicate as much time. Coaching at higher levels is a full-time job, so the resources and preparation are different.
9. What was the deciding factor in returning to the OUA level and playing for Ontario Tech?
It was about the guys they brought in. Before me, they got Ayub Nurhussein, who I’ve known since high school when he was at John Polanyi and we were at BTB Prep. They also got Keon Baker, who I knew. The assistant coach, [Sharmarke Mohamed], was around when I was growing up, and he reached out, saying [Deluxshan Pathmanathan] would be a great head coach. Ayub should’ve been a D1 guy at a high-major school, but his story is different. It feels like a team of underdogs. We did something special last year, and I believe we can do something ven more special this year.
10. How are you meshing with the new transfers this year, and whats the chemistry like at Ontario Tech?
We’ve been meshing really well. These guys are like my brothers for real. Last year left a bittersweet taste in our mouths, and just seeing everybody’s improvement has been huge. Guys like Ayub—he played in the CEBL this summer, and you can really see the growth. Keon, with his passing, kicking it out when he drives and trusting us. The new guys, like Avedes, are great—he’s going to be really good as he gets more experience. Rae, a JUCO product, is a dog, and we’re really cool as a team. The crazy thing is we haven’t even fully started hooping like that yet. Once we do, it’s going to be scary for real.
Skill Development
11. You’re known as a high-IQ player who excels both on and off the ball. This season, we’ve seen you in catch-and-shoot scenarios and making decisions out of the pick-and-roll. Have your skills translated to every level, or have you had to adjust your game at each level?
My skills have definitely translated through each level, but I’ve had to make adjustments. Being a guard at my height, you’ve got to be able to hit open shots. Keon and Ayub drive and attract a lot of attention, and that’s something I focused on in the summer—being ready to knock down those shots.
With the pick-and-roll, it’s all about repetition and reading. Being able to read the tag guy is key. If he helps too much on the big, you pass it to the guy. If he helps, you pass it to the big. It’s just repetition and reading at the end of the day.
12. As a smaller guard, how are you able to get to your spots so effectively, and what advice would you give to other smaller guards trying to gain minutes at any collegiate level?
As a small guard, you’ve got to be able to shoot and, of course, have a handle. You also need to be able to read the defense and be a dog. Whatever brings that out in you, find it and stick to it. For me, it’s taking charges—that helps me stay on the floor longer. Find that little thing you’re good at and keep doing it.
