Few players in modern prep basketball have risen faster—or shined brighter—than Shaedon Sharpe, the Canadian phenom whose Grind Session journey helped propel him from an unranked prospect to a top-10 NBA draft pick. Born May 30, 2003, in London, Ontario, Sharpe’s path from local standout to Portland Trail Blazers star is a story of rapid growth, elite mentorship, and undeniable talent.
Early Beginnings in Canada
Sharpe first drew attention at H.B. Beal Secondary School, where he led his hometown squad to an OFSAA AAA appearance and established himself as one of Canada’s next great prospects. His fluid scoring ability, explosive athleticism, and natural feel for the game quickly separated him from his peers.
Shaedon Sharpe with the fast break dunk
But Sharpe wanted to test himself against the best. That decision brought him to the United States—and to the Grind Session.
A Breakout Star on the Grind Session Circuit
When Sharpe transferred to Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Arizona, his career took off. Under head coach Kyle Weaver, he became the program’s go-to scoring threat, averaging:
- 21.4 points per game
- 6 rebounds per game
Those numbers, paired with high-level consistency against elite prep competition, made him one of the brightest stars on the Grind Session.
Sharpe’s development accelerated thanks to his work with UPlay Canada on the AAU circuit, where he was mentored by the late Dwayne Washington, one of the country’s most respected youth coaches. By 2021, his dominance on the Nike EYBL circuit pushed him from an unranked player to the consensus No. 1 prospect in the 2022 class—a meteoric rise rarely seen in modern recruiting.
Sharpe played alongside and against the very best in the Grind Session, sharpening his game against future NCAA and NBA talents. His highlight-reel dunks, effortless shot creation, and big-stage poise made him must-see basketball at every stop.
Recruiting: Kentucky Lands a Generational Talent
On September 7, 2021, Sharpe committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, choosing John Calipari’s program over Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma State, and the G League Ignite. He became Kentucky’s first No. 1 recruit since Nerlens Noel in 2012.
Shaedon Sharpe with the two hand stuff
Although Sharpe graduated early and initially planned to redshirt before debuting in 2022–23, he ultimately never suited up for the Wildcats. After months of speculation, Calipari announced in February 2022 that Sharpe would not play, and the young star soon declared for the NBA Draft.
NBA Journey: From Top-10 Pick to Rising Star
Sharpe entered the 2022 NBA Draft as one of the class’s most intriguing prospects. On June 23, the Portland Trail Blazers selected him with the seventh overall pick, making him one of two Canadians taken in the first round that year (joining sixth pick Bennedict Mathurin).
Early Challenges and Breakthrough Moments
- July 2022: Suffered a labral tear in his left shoulder during NBA Summer League, sidelining him for the remainder of the event.
- October 19, 2022: Made his NBA debut, scoring 12 points in a win over the Sacramento Kings.
- March 29, 2023: Delivered a historic performance—30 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists—joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Luka Dončić as the only teenagers to ever post such a stat line.
Sharpe’s combination of vertical explosiveness, three-level scoring, and creativity quickly made him one of Portland’s foundational pieces.
Setback and Comeback
- February 9, 2024: Underwent abdominal surgery.
- April 2024: Ruled out for the remainder of the season.
- September 30, 2024: Cleared for full basketball activity heading into training camp.
Sharpe bounced back strong, appearing in 72 games (52 starts) during the 2024–25 season and averaging:
- 18.5 points
- 4.5 rebounds
- 2.8 assists
His surge in production cemented him as one of the NBA’s brightest young wings.
A Franchise Cornerstone
On October 19, 2025, the Trail Blazers made their commitment clear—Sharpe signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension, marking him as a long-term centerpiece of Portland’s rebuild.
Representing Canada on the International Stage
Before his rise to NBA star, Sharpe proudly represented Canada Basketball at the 2019 FIBA U16 Americas Championship in Brazil. He averaged:
- 13 points
- 3.7 rebounds
- 2.3 assists
and helped Canada secure the silver medal.
A Grind Session Legend Whose Story Continues
Shaedon Sharpe's climb—from overlooked Canadian guard to Grind Session superstar to NBA franchise cornerstone—is one of the most remarkable journeys in recent prep basketball history. His transformation during his Grind Session years laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Shaedon Sharpe with the one handed dunk
Today, Sharpe is not just an alumnus of the Grind Session—he is one of its greatest success stories.
And with a new contract, a healthy return, and Portland’s full confidence behind him, the next chapter is only beginning.
