DRIVE Basketball :: Player Spotlight : Mac Fairbairn

(Pictured: Mac takes the ball strong to the hoop during exhibition play. Photo's courtesy of Paul Yates, Vancouversportspictures.ca.)

Player Spotlight: Mac Fairbairn

Once in a while a player comes along with the size and athleticisim to excel at the next level. As well as a player who has the work ethic and desire to be the very best. These are the qualities that separate Mac Fairbairn from the rest of the field. Former Argyle Head Coach and current SFU Assistant Coach Glen Chu praises his players capabilities. “Mac is an extraordinary athlete that has uncanny ability to get the basket. He is a competitor that brings toughness and intensity to every practice and game. Mac started as a sophomore on an Argyle squad that produced four seniors currently playing in the CIS.” That’s an accomplishment in itself. This season the 6’4 Argyle product has averaged a stellar 24ppg and 8rpg while playing virtually every position for the Argyle Piper’s.

His versatility and toughness is something that he developed at an early age. Growing up Mac excelled at multiple sports including basketball and Rugby. However, it wasn’t until he got cut from the grade 8 A team that he decided to take ball seriously. That spring he joined 3D BasketballAcademy and then made the Regional team. Growing up around talented players from the NorthShore such as Tyler Kepkay, Sinclair Brown, and Sean Burke Mac had no choice but to improve. Playing with and competing against this talent has allowed Mac to develop into the player he is today. “When I think of Mac - I think of the NorthShore finals where we played Handsworth in their gym in front a packed house. We were down 16 at half and I remember looking over at Mac and telling him we needed to him to step-up in the second half - he was instrumental in our comeback and even scored 6 of the 8 points in overtime to lead us to victory. He was FEARLESS” proclaims Chu. “Mac still has a lot to work on if he plans to make an impact at the CIS level, but I firmly believe with his work ethic and determination that it will only be a matter of time before his game evolves to the next level.”

After graduating 4 seniors last year this season was dubbed to be a “rebuilding” year for the previous AAA Champions. However, Mac was having none of that. Leading a charge that included beating cross-town rivals Carson Graham was just the start of the rebuilding process for the Pipers. He has the work ethic and desire to take his team back to the provincial prominence. “I get to school at 7 and work on stationary ball handling and moves until class at 8. At lunch I shoot 250 pull-ups and jumpers. After school I either go up to the elementary school my mom teaches at and work on my dribbling again, or go home and shoot free throws outside. After that we have team practice from 8-10.” With Mac’s impressive work ethic you can expect to see some positive results sooner then later. Mac credits his success thus far as a player to his 1st basketball coach and mentor. “Glen Chu was the first coach to really push me and make me a better player. I went to a 3D camp in grade 8 and it made me start to think about focusing on basketball. He's helped me as a player tremendously. Last year he was my coach and I was fortunate to be part of a great team. Other big influences have been my mom and my dad.”

Mac recently completed his Junior year after his squad was knocked out of the Howe Sounds. For his outstanding play Mac was named to the league's 1st all-star team. This summer you can expect more of the same from the multi-talent guard from the NorthShore. He’ll be in the weight room to add size to his already impressive physique while getting into the gym for a healthy diet of jump shots. Mac has one thing on his mind and that’s to become the best player he can be. We all look forward to watching his progress.

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