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{{short description|Canadian basketball player}}
{{Short description|Canadian basketball player (1960–2019)}}
{{Infobox NBA biography
{{sources|date=November 2019}}
| name = Eli Pasquale
{{MedalTableTop}}
| image =
| width =
| caption =
| number = 13, 6
| position = [[Point guard]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 190
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1960|8|24}}
| birth_place = [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|11|4|1960|8|24}}
| high_school = [[Lockerby Composite School]]<br/>([[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], [[Ontario]])
| college = [[Victoria Vikes|University of Victoria]] (1980–1984)
| draft_year = 1984
| draft_round = 5
| draft_pick = 106
| draft_team = [[Seattle SuperSonics]]
| highlights =
* [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport|CIAU]] Player of the Year (1984)
* 3× CIAU First Team All-Canadian (1981-1984)
* 2× CIAU National Tournament MVP (1981, 1983)
* 3× CIAU National Tournament All-Star (1981, 1983, 1984)
* 5x CIAU National Champion (1980-1984)
* 5× [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association|CWUAA]] First Team All-Star (1981–1984)
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry|{{CAN}}}}
{{MedalCountry|{{CAN}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Universiade]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Universiade]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[Basketball at the 1983 Summer Universiade|1983 Edmonton]] | [[Canada men's national basketball team|National team]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[Basketball at the 1983 Summer Universiade|1983 Edmonton]] | [[Canada men's national basketball team|National team]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[Basketball at the 1985 Summer Universiade|1985 Kobe]] | [[Canada men's national basketball team|National team]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[Basketball at the 1985 Summer Universiade|1985 Kobe]] | [[Canada men's national basketball team|National team]]}}
}}
{{MedalBottom}}


'''Ilario Enrico "Eli" Pasquale''' (August 24, 1960 – November 4, 2019) was a Canadian [[basketball]] player and two-time [[Olympics|Olympian]].<ref name="cb_hof">{{cite web |title=Eli Pasquale — Athlete Induction Class of 2003 |url=https://assets-global.website-files.com/5d3752ecc5e950deedb7ab2b/5fc00a83d0b0247cbe1bd878_hof_elipasquale.pdf |website=Canada Basketball Hall of Fame |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=cb_hof}}</ref><ref name="bc_hof">{{cite web |title=Eli Pasquale |url=https://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/eli-pasquale/ |website=BC Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=bc_hof}}</ref><ref name="cw_hof">{{cite web |title=Eli Pasquale (MBB {{!}} Student-athlete) |url=https://www.canadawesthalloffame.org/post/eli-pasquale-mbb-student-athlete |website=Canada West Hall of Fame |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=cw_hof}}</ref> Considered one of the best basketball players in Canada's history,<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art">{{cite web |title=Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee Eli Pasquale Passes Away at 59 |url=https://www.basketball.ca/news/canadian-basketball-hall-of-fame-inductee-eli-pasquale-passes-away-at-59 |website=Canada Basketball |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=can_bask_art}}</ref><ref name="somers_art">{{cite web |title=Reflecting on when Karl Tilleman, Eli Pasquale, and Their Fellow Canadian University Teammates Took a Shot at Ruling the Basketball World |url=https://somerspoint.com/2023/04/24/reflecting-karl-tilleman-fellow-canadian-university-teammates-took-shot-ruling-basketball-world/ |website=Somers Point News |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=somers_art}}</ref> Pasquale was the starting point guard and co-captain of the [[Canada men's national basketball team]] during, arguably, Canada's greatest era of basketball.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cbc_art">{{cite news |last1=Chidley-Hill |first1=John |title=Eli Pasquale, Olympian and Canadian Basketball Hall of Famer, dies at 59 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/eli-pasquale-canada-basketball-hall-of-fame-dies-at-59-1.5348409 |accessdate=6 November 2019 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBC Sports |date=6 November 2019|ref=cbc_art}}</ref><ref name="bc_hof_art">{{cite web |last1=Beck |first1=Jason |title=Eli Pasquale: An Unbreakable Will – 2021 Inductee Spotlight |url=https://bcsportshall.com/curator-corner/eli-pasquale-an-unbreakable-will-2021-inductee-spotlight/ |website=BC Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=bc_hof_art}}</ref> During this time, Pasquale competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, two [[FISU World University Games|World Student Games]], four [[FIBA Basketball World Cup|FIBA World Championships]] and two [[Pan American games]].<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" />
'''Ilario Enrico "Eli" Pasquale''' (August 24, 1960 – November 4, 2019) was a Canadian [[basketball]] player. A 6-foot, 1-inch [[point guard]], he led the [[Canadian national men's basketball team]] during two [[Olympic Games]], three [[FIBA World Championship]]s, and two [[Pan American Games]].<ref name="cbc">{{cite news |last1=Chidley-Hill |first1=John |title=Eli Pasquale, Olympian and Canadian Basketball Hall of Famer, dies at 59 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/eli-pasquale-canada-basketball-hall-of-fame-dies-at-59-1.5348409 |accessdate=6 November 2019 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=CBC Sports |date=6 November 2019}}</ref>


In 1984, Pasquale was drafted by the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] as the 106th overall pick.<ref name="bc_bb_hof">{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://basketball.bc.ca/about/basketball-bc-hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-inductees/ |website=Basketball BC Hall of Fame |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=bc_bb_hof}}</ref><ref name="uvic_hof">{{cite web |title=Eli Pasquale |url=https://govikesgo.com/honors/uvic-sports-hall-of-fame/eli-pasquale/20 |website=UVic Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=uvic_hof}}</ref><ref name="gv_hof">{{cite web |title=All Inductees |url=https://www.gvshof.ca/inductees-2/all-inductees.html?start=64 |website=Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=28 October 2023 |ref=gv_hof}}</ref> Pasquale later played professionally in Argentina, West Germany and Switzerland.<ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="gv_hof" />
⚫
Born in [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], Pasquale grew up in [[Urban neighbourhoods of Sudbury#Gatchell|Gatchell]], [[Ontario]], a predominantly [[Italians|Italian]] neighbourhood of [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]]. He played his first organized basketball in Grade 8 on his school team, St. Francis School. By grade 10, Pasquale's height was a mere 5 feet, 3&nbsp;inches.


During university, Pasquale led the [[Victoria Vikes|University of Victoria]] to 5 straight national championships.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /> Pasquale was the university's all-time leading scorer when he graduated.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" /> In 1984, he was awarded the Mike Moser Trophy as the male Canadian university player of the year.<ref name="bc_hof_art" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /><ref name="mike_moser">{{cite web |title=Mike Moser Memorial Trophy (Player of the Year) |url=https://usports.ca/uploads/cis/Awards/sports_awards/2019_-_2020/MBKB/MBKB_-_OPOTY.pdf |website=U Sports |access-date=6 December 2023 |ref=mike_moser}}</ref>
Pasquale starred at the [[University of Victoria]], leading the Vikings to five straight [[Canadian Interuniversity Sport|CIAU]] championships.<ref name="cbc"/> He stands as the school's all-time leading scorer, was a three-time CIAU all-star, and has had his jersey number 13 retired. He was drafted by the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] 106th overall in the fifth round of the [[1984 NBA Draft]] and played in 3 exhibition games for the team before being released.<ref name="cbc"/> He played in the [[Amateur Athletic Union]] for Seattle and the Los Angeles Summer Pro League in 1985 and earned a try-out with the [[Chicago Bulls]], but failed to make the club. He then played professionally in Argentina in 1986, West Germany in 1989, and Switzerland in 1990.
Pasquale was also a three-time First-Team All-Canadian (1981-1984),<ref name="uvic_hof" /><ref name="gv_hof" /><ref name="ciau_all_can">{{cite web |title=Men's Basketball All-Canadian Teams |url=https://usports.ca/uploads/cis/Awards/All-Canadians/2019-20/Men_s_Basketball_All_Canadians.pdf |website=U Sports |access-date=6 December 2023 |ref=ciau_all_can}}</ref> was named the [[U Sports|CIAU]] national tournament MVP two times (1981, 1983),<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /><ref name="ciau_tourn_mvp">{{cite web |title=Jack Donohue Trophy (Championship MVP) |url=https://usports.ca/uploads/cis/Awards/sports_awards/2019_-_2020/MBKB/MBKB_-_MVP.pdf |website=U Sports |access-date=6 December 2023 |ref=ciau_tourn_mvp}}</ref> and was named as CIAU tournament all-star three times (1981, 1983, 1984)<ref name="ciau_tourn_all_stars">{{cite web |title=Men's Basketball Championship All-Stars |url=https://usports.ca/uploads/cis/Awards/All-Canadians/2019-20/Men_s_Basketball_Championship_All-Stars.pdf |website=U Sports |access-date=6 December 2023 |ref=ciau_tourn_all_stars}}</ref> and five-time first team [[Canada West Universities Athletic Association| Canada West]] all-star.<ref name="bc_hof_art" />


==International career==
Pasquale was a member of the Canadian national team at various levels over 15 years. He led the Canadians to a fourth-place finish at the [[Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Summer Olympics]] and a sixth-place finish at the [[1982 FIBA World Championship]]. He was also a prominent member of [[1983 Summer Universiade|1983 World University Games]] team that won the gold medal by defeating in the semi-finals the [[United States national men's basketball team|United States]] led by [[Charles Barkley]] and [[Karl Malone]] and in the finals [[Yugoslavia national basketball team|Yugoslavia]] led by [[Dražen Petrović]].<ref name="cbc"/>
Pasquale was a member of the Canadian men's national basketball team for over 15 years.<ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" /> Pasquale was the starting point guard and co-captain of this Canadian team in what was arguably Canada's greatest era of basketball.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" />


Pasquale represented Canada in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cw_hof" /> The 1984 Olympics were notable because Canada finished 4th overall, narrowly missing a medal.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="somers_art" /> In 1988, Canada finished respectably in 6th.<ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" />
At age 37, he returned to national team play for the [[1997 Tournament of the Americas]], after a five-year absence, to help the Canadians qualify for the [[1998 FIBA World Championship]].<ref name="cbc"/> However, he did not play in the World Championship.


This 1984 bronze-medal game constituted the only time in 80+ years where Canada had a legitimate chance of winning an Olympic medal in basketball.<ref name="somers_art" /> In this bronze medal game was highly competitive, being tied 18 times with 12 lead changes, with Canada being within one point with less than a minute of play remaining.<ref name="somers_art" /> Pasquale played well in this crucial game in Canadian basketball history, leading Canada in points (16) and assists (5), while also obtaining 6 rebounds.<ref name="somers_art" />
Pasquale was inducted into the [[Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 2003<ref name="cbc"/> and the [[BC Sports Hall of Fame]] in 2004. For the past 20 plus years he has operated Eli Pasquale Sports Group, a business that operates basketball camps for youths. He died on November 4, 2019 from cancer in Victoria, British Columbia.<ref name="cbc"/><ref>[https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/2019/11/05/eli-pasquale-basketball-canada-dies/]</ref>

Pasquale represented Canada in the 1983 and 1985 World Student Games.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" /> In the 1983 World Student Games hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, the Canadian team won the gold medal.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="cbc_art" /> This constituted one of the finest moments in Canadian basketball history, being the only time in which Canada has won the gold medal in an international basketball tournament.<ref name="fisu_art">{{cite news |title=Canada wins gold medal in basketball |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19830712&id=IIRUAAAAIBAJ&pg=5728,7923345&hl=en |access-date=28 October 2023 |date=12 June 1983 |ref=fisu_art}}</ref> In the semifinals of this tournament, Canada defeated a talented US team led by future NBA legends [[Charles Barkley]] and [[Karl Malone]].<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /> In the 1985 World Student Games, Canada won the bronze medal.<ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" />

Pasquale competed for Canada in four FIBA World Championships,<ref name="cw_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art" /> where in 1982, Canada placed 4th.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="gv_hof" /> Pasquale also competed for Canada in two Pan American games where in 1983, Canada finished fourth and in 1987, Canada finished 5th.<ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" />

After a 5-year absence, in 1997 Pasquale represented Canada in the Tournament of the Americas that qualified Canada for the 1998 FIBA World Championship.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="cbc_art" />

==Professional career==
In 1984, Pasquale was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 5th round as the 106th overall pick.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" /> He played three exhibition games with the team before being released.<ref name="bc_bb_hof" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" /><ref name="gv_hof" /> The following year, Pasquale nearly made the [[Chicago Bulls]], who were looking for someone to play in the backcourt beside Michael Jordan.<ref name="bc_hof_art" /> Pasquale had impressed the Bulls, but ultimately, they chose with American [[John Paxson]].<ref name="bc_hof_art" /> Pasquale was their final cut.<ref name="bc_hof_art" />

Pasquale played in the Amateur Athletic Union for Seattle and the Los Angeles summer pro league.<ref name="bc_hof_art" /><ref name="gv_hof" /> He played professionally in Argentina (1986), in West Germany (1989) and in Switzerland (1990).<ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="gv_hof" />

==University==
Legendary coach [[Ken Shields (basketball)|Ken Shields]] described Pasquale as "the face of UVic basketball".<ref name="cw_hof" /> Pasquale played for UVic for 5 years, leading the team to 5-straight national championships.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /> Pasquale is believed to be the first athlete in all of Canadian university sports history to win five consequtive national championships.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" /> He is only one of five athletes to win five national titles in Canadian university sports.<ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /> Pasquale and his UVic team were five-time Canada West champions as well, going 75-5 against Canada West teams in regular season play during his time at UVic.<ref name="cw_hof" />

Pasquale was the all-time leading scorer at UVic when he graduated.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" /> In 1984, he was awarded the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy as CIAU's outstanding men's basketball player.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /><ref name="mike_moser" /> Pasquale was a three-time First-team All Canadian (1981-1984),<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" /><ref name="ciau_all_can" /> a two-time CIAU national tournament MVP (1981, 1983)<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /><ref name="ciau_tourn_mvp" /> and a three-time CIAU national tournament all-star. (1981, 1983, 1984)<ref name="ciau_tourn_all_stars" /> Besides Pasquale, only five other athletes in Canada basketball history have received the CIAU national tournament MVP twice: Mickey Fox, [[Osvaldo Jeanty]], Michael Smart, [[Tyson Hinz]] and [[Philip Scrubb]].<ref name="ciau_tourn_mvp" />

Since the Canada West conference was formed in the 1972-73 season, Pasquale is the only five-time first team all-star in Canada West basketball history.<ref name="bc_hof_art" /><ref name="ush_cw_all_star">{{cite web |title=Basketball Award Winners - League: Canada West First Team All-Star |url=https://usportshoops.ca/history/award-winners.php?Gender=MBB&Award=cwteam1 |website=U Sports Hoops |access-date=15 July 2024 |ref=ush_cw_all_star}}</ref> Besides Pasquale, only five other athletes in basketball were four-time Canada West first team all-stars: [[Karl Tilleman]], [[J.D. Jackson (basketball)|J.D. Jackson]], Spencer McKay, Danny Balderson and [[Andrew Spagrud]].<ref name="ush_cw_all_star" />

In 1982, he was named the BC University Athlete of the Year.<ref name="bc_hof_art" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /> Twice, he was named UVic's top male athlete.<ref name="bc_hof_art" />

==Post career==
Pasquale was inducted into the Canada Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.<ref name="cb_hof" /> In 2021, he was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.<ref name="bc_hof" /> He was inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame in its 2020-21 induction class.<ref name="cw_hof" /> In 2005, he was inducted into the University of Victoria Athletic Hall of Fame.<ref name="uvic_hof" /> Similarly, in 2006 his jersey number, 13, was retired by the university, being only one of three athletes thus honored by the university.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="bc_bb_hof" /><ref name="uvic_hof" /> In 2014 he was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and in 2008 he was inducted into the Sudbury Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.<ref name="gv_hof" />

Additionally, the 1979-86 UVic Men's Basketball teams were inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame (2019-2020 induction class); the 1979-80 UVic team was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame (2020); and the 1982-1983 UVic team was inducted into the University of Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (2023), with Pasquale being recognized as a team member of each of these team inductions.<ref name="cw_hof_team">{{cite web |title=Victoria Vikes 1979-86 (MBB – Team) |url=https://www.canadawesthalloffame.org/post/victoria-vikes-1979-86-mbb-team |website=Canada West Hall of Fame |access-date=3 November 2023 |ref=cw_hof_team}}</ref><ref name="uvic_hof_team">{{cite web |title=Team 1982-83 Men's Basketball |url=https://govikesgo.com/honors/uvic-sports-hall-of-fame/team-1982-83-mens-basketball/64 |website=UVic Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=3 November 2023 |ref=uvic_hof_team}}</ref><ref name="bc_hof_team">{{cite web |title=1979-80 UVic Vikings Men’s Basketball |url=https://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/1979-80-uvic-vikings-mens-basketball/ |website=BC Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=3 November 2023 |ref=bc_hof_team}}</ref>

In retirement, Eli focused his time on his young family and his immensely popular basketball camps.<ref name="bc_hof_art" /> Beginning in 1985 and right up to his passing in 2019, he ran youth development camps all over BC, particularly in Victoria.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="gv_hof" /> Thousands of BC kids received their start in basketball through Eli’s camps.<ref name="bc_hof" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="gv_hof" />

==Personal life==
⚫
Pasquale was born on August 24, 1960 in [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]], Ontario, Canada.<ref name="cb_hof" /><ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="gv_hof" /> He grew up in Gatchell, [[Ontario]], a predominantly [[Italians|Italian]] neighbourhood of [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]].<ref name="gv_hof" /> He played his first organized basketball in Grade 8 on his school team, St. Francis School.<ref name="gv_hof" /> By grade 10, Pasquale's height was a mere 5 feet, 3 inches.<ref name="gv_hof" />

On November 4, 2019, Pasquale passed away from esophageal cancer.<ref name="can_bask_art" /><ref name="cbc_art" /><ref name="bc_hof_art" />


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Basketball players at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1988 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Basketball players at the 1987 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people]]
[[Category:BBC Monthey players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Argentina]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in Argentina]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in Germany]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in Germany]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate basketball people in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Canadian men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Canadian men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:1982 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:Olympic basketball players of Canada]]
[[Category:1990 FIBA World Championship players]]
[[Category:Canadian sportspeople of Italian descent]]
[[Category:Olympic basketball players for Canada]]
[[Category:SAM Basket players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Greater Sudbury]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Greater Sudbury]]
[[Category:Pan American Games competitors for Canada]]
[[Category:Pan American Games competitors for Canada]]
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[[Category:Seattle SuperSonics draft picks]]
[[Category:Seattle SuperSonics draft picks]]
[[Category:Victoria Vikes basketball players]]
[[Category:Victoria Vikes basketball players]]
[[Category:Universiade medalists in basketball]]
[[Category:Summer World University Games medalists in basketball]]
[[Category:Universiade gold medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:FISU World University Games gold medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Universiade bronze medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:FISU World University Games bronze medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1983 Summer Universiade]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1983 Summer Universiade]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1985 Summer Universiade]]
[[Category:Canada men's national basketball team players]]

Revision as of 11:13, 15 July 2024

Eli Pasquale
Personal information
Born(1960-08-24)August 24, 1960
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
DiedNovember 4, 2019(2019-11-04) (aged 59)
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolLockerby Composite School
(Sudbury, Ontario)
CollegeUniversity of Victoria (1980–1984)
NBA draft1984: 5th round, 106th overall pick
Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics
PositionPoint guard
Number13, 6
Career highlights and awards
  • CIAU Player of the Year (1984)
  • 3× CIAU First Team All-Canadian (1981-1984)
  • 2× CIAU National Tournament MVP (1981, 1983)
  • 3× CIAU National Tournament All-Star (1981, 1983, 1984)
  • 5x CIAU National Champion (1980-1984)
  • 5× CWUAA First Team All-Star (1981–1984)
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Representing  Canada
Universiade
Gold medal – first place 1983 Edmonton National team
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Kobe National team

Ilario Enrico "Eli" Pasquale (August 24, 1960 – November 4, 2019) was a Canadian basketball player and two-time Olympian.[1][2][3] Considered one of the best basketball players in Canada's history,[1][4][5] Pasquale was the starting point guard and co-captain of the Canada men's national basketball team during, arguably, Canada's greatest era of basketball.[2][6][7] During this time, Pasquale competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, two World Student Games, four FIBA World Championships and two Pan American games.[2][3][7]

In 1984, Pasquale was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics as the 106th overall pick.[8][9][10] Pasquale later played professionally in Argentina, West Germany and Switzerland.[4][6][10]

During university, Pasquale led the University of Victoria to 5 straight national championships.[2][3][9] Pasquale was the university's all-time leading scorer when he graduated.[1][4][8] In 1984, he was awarded the Mike Moser Trophy as the male Canadian university player of the year.[7][9][11] Pasquale was also a three-time First-Team All-Canadian (1981-1984),[9][10][12] was named the CIAU national tournament MVP two times (1981, 1983),[2][9][13] and was named as CIAU tournament all-star three times (1981, 1983, 1984)[14] and five-time first team Canada West all-star.[7]

International career

Pasquale was a member of the Canadian men's national basketball team for over 15 years.[3][4][8] Pasquale was the starting point guard and co-captain of this Canadian team in what was arguably Canada's greatest era of basketball.[2][6][7]

Pasquale represented Canada in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.[1][2][3] The 1984 Olympics were notable because Canada finished 4th overall, narrowly missing a medal.[1][3][5] In 1988, Canada finished respectably in 6th.[3][4][8]

This 1984 bronze-medal game constituted the only time in 80+ years where Canada had a legitimate chance of winning an Olympic medal in basketball.[5] In this bronze medal game was highly competitive, being tied 18 times with 12 lead changes, with Canada being within one point with less than a minute of play remaining.[5] Pasquale played well in this crucial game in Canadian basketball history, leading Canada in points (16) and assists (5), while also obtaining 6 rebounds.[5]

Pasquale represented Canada in the 1983 and 1985 World Student Games.[2][3][7] In the 1983 World Student Games hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, the Canadian team won the gold medal.[2][3][6] This constituted one of the finest moments in Canadian basketball history, being the only time in which Canada has won the gold medal in an international basketball tournament.[15] In the semifinals of this tournament, Canada defeated a talented US team led by future NBA legends Charles Barkley and Karl Malone.[2][6][9] In the 1985 World Student Games, Canada won the bronze medal.[3][7]

Pasquale competed for Canada in four FIBA World Championships,[3][4] where in 1982, Canada placed 4th.[1][10] Pasquale also competed for Canada in two Pan American games where in 1983, Canada finished fourth and in 1987, Canada finished 5th.[4][6][8]

After a 5-year absence, in 1997 Pasquale represented Canada in the Tournament of the Americas that qualified Canada for the 1998 FIBA World Championship.[1][4][6]

Professional career

In 1984, Pasquale was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 5th round as the 106th overall pick.[1][6][8] He played three exhibition games with the team before being released.[8][7][10] The following year, Pasquale nearly made the Chicago Bulls, who were looking for someone to play in the backcourt beside Michael Jordan.[7] Pasquale had impressed the Bulls, but ultimately, they chose with American John Paxson.[7] Pasquale was their final cut.[7]

Pasquale played in the Amateur Athletic Union for Seattle and the Los Angeles summer pro league.[7][10] He played professionally in Argentina (1986), in West Germany (1989) and in Switzerland (1990).[4][6][10]

University

Legendary coach Ken Shields described Pasquale as "the face of UVic basketball".[3] Pasquale played for UVic for 5 years, leading the team to 5-straight national championships.[1][8][9] Pasquale is believed to be the first athlete in all of Canadian university sports history to win five consequtive national championships.[2][7] He is only one of five athletes to win five national titles in Canadian university sports.[4][7][9] Pasquale and his UVic team were five-time Canada West champions as well, going 75-5 against Canada West teams in regular season play during his time at UVic.[3]

Pasquale was the all-time leading scorer at UVic when he graduated.[1][4][8] In 1984, he was awarded the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy as CIAU's outstanding men's basketball player.[2][9][11] Pasquale was a three-time First-team All Canadian (1981-1984),[2][8][12] a two-time CIAU national tournament MVP (1981, 1983)[2][9][13] and a three-time CIAU national tournament all-star. (1981, 1983, 1984)[14] Besides Pasquale, only five other athletes in Canada basketball history have received the CIAU national tournament MVP twice: Mickey Fox, Osvaldo Jeanty, Michael Smart, Tyson Hinz and Philip Scrubb.[13]

Since the Canada West conference was formed in the 1972-73 season, Pasquale is the only five-time first team all-star in Canada West basketball history.[7][16] Besides Pasquale, only five other athletes in basketball were four-time Canada West first team all-stars: Karl Tilleman, J.D. Jackson, Spencer McKay, Danny Balderson and Andrew Spagrud.[16]

In 1982, he was named the BC University Athlete of the Year.[7][9] Twice, he was named UVic's top male athlete.[7]

Post career

Pasquale was inducted into the Canada Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.[1] In 2021, he was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame.[2] He was inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame in its 2020-21 induction class.[3] In 2005, he was inducted into the University of Victoria Athletic Hall of Fame.[9] Similarly, in 2006 his jersey number, 13, was retired by the university, being only one of three athletes thus honored by the university.[2][8][9] In 2014 he was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and in 2008 he was inducted into the Sudbury Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.[10]

Additionally, the 1979-86 UVic Men's Basketball teams were inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame (2019-2020 induction class); the 1979-80 UVic team was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame (2020); and the 1982-1983 UVic team was inducted into the University of Victoria Sports Hall of Fame (2023), with Pasquale being recognized as a team member of each of these team inductions.[17][18][19]

In retirement, Eli focused his time on his young family and his immensely popular basketball camps.[7] Beginning in 1985 and right up to his passing in 2019, he ran youth development camps all over BC, particularly in Victoria.[2][6][10] Thousands of BC kids received their start in basketball through Eli’s camps.[2][6][10]

Personal life

Pasquale was born on August 24, 1960 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.[1][4][10] He grew up in Gatchell, Ontario, a predominantly Italian neighbourhood of Sudbury.[10] He played his first organized basketball in Grade 8 on his school team, St. Francis School.[10] By grade 10, Pasquale's height was a mere 5 feet, 3 inches.[10]

On November 4, 2019, Pasquale passed away from esophageal cancer.[4][6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Eli Pasquale — Athlete Induction Class of 2003" (PDF). Canada Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Eli Pasquale". BC Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Eli Pasquale (MBB | Student-athlete)". Canada West Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee Eli Pasquale Passes Away at 59". Canada Basketball. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Reflecting on when Karl Tilleman, Eli Pasquale, and Their Fellow Canadian University Teammates Took a Shot at Ruling the Basketball World". Somers Point News. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Chidley-Hill, John (6 November 2019). "Eli Pasquale, Olympian and Canadian Basketball Hall of Famer, dies at 59". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Beck, Jason. "Eli Pasquale: An Unbreakable Will – 2021 Inductee Spotlight". BC Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Hall of Fame Inductees". Basketball BC Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Eli Pasquale". UVic Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "All Inductees". Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Mike Moser Memorial Trophy (Player of the Year)" (PDF). U Sports. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Men's Basketball All-Canadian Teams" (PDF). U Sports. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c "Jack Donohue Trophy (Championship MVP)" (PDF). U Sports. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Men's Basketball Championship All-Stars" (PDF). U Sports. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Canada wins gold medal in basketball". 12 June 1983. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Basketball Award Winners - League: Canada West First Team All-Star". U Sports Hoops. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Victoria Vikes 1979-86 (MBB – Team)". Canada West Hall of Fame. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Team 1982-83 Men's Basketball". UVic Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  19. ^ "1979-80 UVic Vikings Men's Basketball". BC Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 3 November 2023.

Sources

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