"I have seen a lot, done a lot”: Kyle Landry provides experience, veteran leadership for the Ottawa BlackJacks

At 34, Landry is the oldest player on the team. He is also the most experienced, with a professional career spanning over 10 years. That is not even including his four-year NCAA career and various stints with the Canadian national team. 

The 6’9” forward will be a veteran presence on an Ottawa team full of youth – including a number of local players fresh out of the U Sports scene getting their first taste of professional basketball. Landry’s role as a team leader is something that he says he embraces. 

“I’m excited for it. I did 10 years in Europe. I did four years of NCAA. I have seen a lot, done a lot,” said Landry.

He played his college hoops at Northern Arizona before becoming a Canadian basketball export to Europe. The Calgary-native has spent his fair share touring various countries and leagues, including stops in Belgium, Russia, and the Czech Republic.

Landry credits his ability to be a ‘jack of all trades’ in continuing his already extended professional basketball career. He prides himself on being an all-around player that can contribute as a shooter, rebounder, and passer, as well as a deft individual and team defender when called upon.

“Being able to see what the team needs at the time and doing my best to fill that role. If I need to be more of a scorer for a certain game or situation, I can score more. If other guys are going, then I look at what I can do to help them get easier shots, or [get] a rebound or a stop.”

Communication is a strong suit for Landry on the court, built from years playing with countless teammates including three members of the BlackJacks.

Landry played with both Scrubb brothers – Thomas and Phil – on the Canadian national team during international play. He even played with BlackJacks head coach Osvaldo Jeanty – a basketball journeyman himself during his playing days – while trying out for Giants Nördlingen in Germany in 2008. 

There exists on-court playing experience between several other players on the Ottawa roster, including eight from the Carleton University system. Those ties will be critical in building early chemistry in the lead-up to the tournament this month.

“As Coach Osvaldo put out there, most of the guys are from Ottawa, they played for either Carleton or Ottawa University so they have spent a lot of time together. They know each other very well,” said Landry. “We all have a history together and I think we will be able to make things work.”

Landry has experience with coming together quickly with new teammates from his time with Canada Basketball and the competition window system introduced by FIBA. 

“With the Canadian team in these new windows, we have done very well together. I think there’s a good blueprint for us to be able to perform well [for the BlackJacks].”

In 2018, Landry moved from Europe back to Canada and made the shift to 3x3 basketball, which is a half court, three-on-three style of the sport. 3x3 favours quick decision making and the ability to win individual matchups on the court. Landry has competed nationally and internationally in 3x3, joining college teammate and Canadian hoops sharpshooter Steve Sir in their bid to qualify Canada for the Tokyo Olympics.

It allowed for Landry to be with his family, competing only on short trips rather than being away in Europe for up to 10 months a year. He is excited to shift back to the five-on-five game however and can bring some of what he learned in 3x3 along with him.

“I think just being a little bit more aggressive. In five-on-five, there is a whole lot less space but things also tend to move at a little slower pace.”

If he has a message for his younger BlackJacks teammates, Landry said it would be to stress the importance of professionalism. Part of that is always being conscious of what you are doing as well as doing whatever it takes to contribute to your team. It is a lesson Landry has followed throughout his career.

“Always look what you can do for the team. Team success is one of the biggest things in Europe. If you have good numbers and you’re playing for a good team, bigger teams are going to notice you. But if you have big numbers and you are on a really bad team, at times teams will overlook you.”

Landry and the BlackJacks are competing at the CEBL Summer Series, from July 25 to August 9 in St. Catharines. They are playing their third game this Friday against Fraser Valley Bandits. You can watch the game on CBC Sports, CBC Gem App, Twitch and TSN 1200.