Hometown basketball hero Michael Linklater joins the Saskatchewan Rattlers

Saskatoon's Michael Linklater is a baller.

Consider the resumé: Linklater anchored the Mustangs basketball team at Saskatoon's Mount Royal Collegiate, graduated to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies — helping the team claim its first and only national championship — and is now one of the best three-on-three basketball players in the world.

Now, Linklater is a Rattler.

"I'm excited for the community," he told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

Linklater is Nehiyaw from Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan. He grew up in the inner city of Saskatoon and fell in love with the game at the age of 11.

There's one last shot and I want to [take] it, and then I'll be happy to hang the sneakers up.-  Michael Linklater 

The Canadian Elite Basketball League's Saskatchewan Rattlers — Saskatoon's latest professional basketball team — recently drafted him as they prepare to begin their inaugural season at home on May 9 against the Niagara River Lions.

Linklater's B-ball roots run deep

The draft for the Canadian Elite Basketball League is, to say the least, informal.

Rattlers coach and general manager Greg Jockims didn't have to reach out to Linklater's agent to get this deal done. The two, in fact, already knew each other. Jockims coached Linklater both at Mount Royal and the U of S.

Linklater said that Jockims just called him up one day.

"He reached out to me and asked me if I was interested in playing and I said, 'Absolutely.'"

Linklater's enthusiasm alone won't make the Rattlers a success. Saskatoon has seen professional teams like the Storm, the Slam and the Hawks come and go.

Linklater thinks the Rattlers have a fighting chance to make it work on two fronts.

"It's a Canadian league and there are hometown players that people know. I think one of the biggest draws is going to be fans wanting to support people they know," he said.

"The downfall with the other leagues was that it was a bunch of Americans flown in."

A player's league 

Linklater also sees some big advantages for the players. The Canadian Elite Basketball League schedules games in what is the off-season for many players. So, Linklater said, it will be seen as a good chance for players to remain sharp and fit.

"A lot of big American cities … because they have the numbers, they have what are called pro-am leagues within their cities," he said.

That means "[NBA] Division 1 players — guys who are still playing pro overseas — they all come together … and it helps to develop the local talent. I think this is what [the Canadian Elite Basketball League] is going to be doing for Canada and for Saskatoon."

In a way, that's exactly what Linklater is doing. He'll hit the hardwood with the Rattlers, without giving up on his three-on-three hoops dreams.

That version of the game is now an Olympic sport, and Linklater has a good shot at being there for Team Canada.

"There's one last shot and I want to [take] it, and then I'll be happy to hang the sneakers up," he said.