Éli Jolin wins Player of the Year after leading Falcons to championship

A six-foot-seven guard from Rouyn-Noranda, Que., who helped secure a 64-62 Ontario championship win, has been named the top preparatory basketball player in Canada.

Éli Jolin of the Fort Erie International Academy (FEIA) Falcons earned Player of the Year honours from the National Preparatory Association (NPA) after the 2025-26 season.

The award places Fort Erie at the centre of Canada’s top prep basketball circuit, where players train for university scholarships and professional careers. The recognition follows a season in which the Falcons claimed the provincial title and competed against elite programs across Canada and the United States.

Jolin, a shooting guard, will attend Santa Clara University next season. He led the Falcons through a schedule that included national-level competition and an upset championship victory over Ridley College of St. Catharines. He also earned first-team all-star honours in both the NPA and the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association.

Jolin also received the Most Improved Player honours in the Grind Session, a U.S.-based prep league that features top academy programs.

Scouting firm Northway assessed his potential as extending to the professional level, citing his development and physical growth.

“FEIA is known for its talent and, coming from Quebec, I wanted to play against the best in Canada,” Jolin told Fort Erie Radio.

“At Fort Erie, everybody has big goals and is fully committed, so every practice and every workout is competitive. Being around one of the best coaching staffs has really helped my development. We have a big winning culture,” said Jolin.

The Falcons’ season included a narrow championship win and a later playoff loss at the national level, reflecting the competitiveness of the prep circuit. The program faces roster turnover next year as several players move on to university teams.

Head coach Kemy Osse identified Jolin as a central figure in the program’s standards and approach.

“Eli sets a standard for this program and he encapsulates everything about FEIA’s culture,” Esse told Fort Erie Radio.

“He comes from a great family, great work ethic and the staff loved coaching him. He has a very bright future ahead,” said Esse.

The Falcons will prepare for another season in the NPA with a revised roster, while Jolin joins a U.S. university program that competes in NCAA Division I basketball.

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