Ethan Wiebe is set to continue his basketball career while also getting an elite level education as he announced he'll be joining the University of Manitoba Bisons.
Coming to basketball at a young age, Wiebe says he's taken some time to reflect on his start in the sport he loves. "I think it started around when I was in grade 5, this cousin of mine, Nick Friesen, he teaches locally, I think he was watching a basketball game during one of our gatherings. I sat down and watched with him and from there, I slowly got more into it. My mom signed me up for Winkler Basketball and it's been history every since."
To say Wiebe was a natural would by his own admission, be a complete falsehood. "I was terrible," he says with a laugh. "I was not very good. Eventually, I started watching more NBA and I followed Steph Curry, his shooting, his dribbling, I just tried to model my game after him. It also helps that I got a little taller and that made me change my style. I had to work a lot for it and I was never really the best on my team, until this year."
After finding the game, it didn't take long for Wiebe to fully invest and he says he earned some breaks along the way. "I started taking it seriously in grade 6. I remember asking the basketball coach from middle school at the time, if I could join the team a grade early. He opened tryouts for me and eventually, I did make the team a year early."
Throughout the years of hard work, dedication and development, it never dawned on Wiebe that he could walk the path to higher education while also playing the sport he's loved for so long. "It was very recently that I realized that I could get an education through this. Maybe a month ago, I fully realized what opportunities this could hold for me."
Being recruited was an experience but Wiebe and his family are very pleased it all worked out with the U of M. "It all happened fast. Coach Kirby Schapp came to our house to talk to my family. There were other schools that were interested but none really showed the interest that U of M did. I guess he really wanted me."
Having a program like U of M go the extra mile meant a lot to both Wiebe and his family. "My family is so happy. They never wanted to force me into anything, they didn't want to pressure me, they wanted it to be my choice. They were just happy to support me through whatever my decision ended up being."
Ethan Wiebe is the first GVC Mens player to be added to the Bisons roster since Jon Goosen and Rick Dersken in the 1982-83 season, a fact that Wiebe is still wrapping his head around. "No, I don't think it's settled in just yet," he says with a smile. "It hasn't really filled in yet. It's happened so fast, all I can say is I'm thankful to God for the opportunity that He's given me here."
As he prepares for the future, Wiebe says he's used to being a student athlete but this is going to be a whole new level. "I sure hope so," he says with smile. "I don't know, it's going to be a lot of work, but I think I can do it."
When it comes to his future in the classroom, Wiebe has his eyes set on something specific. "I'm going to do U-1 but I think I'm going to go into education."
It's a bright future both on the court and in the classroom for the humble star from Winkler, Manitoba.