Unsworth brother reunite on U of S basketball court

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Thursday, 05 November 2009 19:11

By Allison Werbowetsky Clint and Chris Unsworth have always been competitive. Being only one year apart in age, the two small-town boys from Piapot grew up as friends as well as each other’s foe and confidante on the basketball court. They have both used their size and natural talents to make it all the way to playing university-level ball. Standing well over six-feet tall, the Unsworth brothers are referred to as the “twin towers.” Twenty-two-year-old Clint, the oldest, is six-foot-nine and his little 21-year-old brother isn't far behind at six-foot-eight. Their father, Art Unsworth, who also dabbled in the sport years ago, says it was only natural for them to play. As soon as his sons hit high school and began to show a real interest in basketball he built a net inside the barn on their family ranch. “There were many nights when I had to yell at them out there to get in here and go to bed. They would’ve stayed up all night playing if they could. Basketball just came naturally to them,” he said. “When we were younger growing up on the farm, that was really the only option we had as far as sports,” Clint added. This is Clint’s fifth and final year with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. He started this season sitting out most of the pre-season games with an injury, but says he will be up and running again soon. As a Husky, Clint competed at Nationals in Halifax and has won two bronze medals in Canada West. The Huskies are ranked 10th out of 43 Canada Interuniversity Sport (CIS) teams across Canada so far this season. “The team that we have this year is a very talented team, and if we work hard we can go a long way,” Clint said. “I’ve certainly enjoyed my five years here, but I’m ready to move on with life,” he added. Chris started playing in Grade 7 and found out quickly that he not only had a knack for it, but he loved it too. He played a couple of years for Maple Creek Composite High School before transferring to Medicine Hat to pursue basketball further. “To be at a competitive level you have to play competitive basketball, and Medicine Hat is a bigger centre than Maple Creek,” Chris said. “You don’t pursue something this far unless you enjoy it and love the game,” he said. “You have to love the game to put in that kind of effort, miles, money and everything else that goes with it,” he added. Chris’ hard work paid off, and he was recruited to play for the University of Calgary Dinos right out of high school. Playing varsity basketball is a “huge commitment,” he said. “We miss one to two days of school per week, every week, and that’s class time you have to make up on your own. There’s no special break because you’re an athlete.” However, after taking a year off school last year, Chris is now reunited with his brother at U of S. “I decided I wanted to play with my brother for his last year. A sort of one last shot together,” he said. It’s been four years since the Unsworth brothers have played together, but both are ready to pick up where they left off. “We always knew what the other person would do and that was beneficial. And then when we played against each other, it was always very competitive. We push each other to be better, and that shows in the game with great chemistry. It’s good to be a family again,” Chris said. “I always looked up to my brother, but at the same time I wanted to be better than him. It’s just natural competitiveness,” he continued. Clint admitted that he never felt like his little brother was ever riding his coattails, even when he realized he may take a backseat to Chris’ skill. “Overall, I’d say he’s more talented, but we’ve both had to work hard to get where we are. It doesn’t bother me,” he said. Including this year, Chris has three years left as a Husky. He is still unsure whether he will pursue a career in basketball or another option after he graduates. He is also tossing around the idea of becoming a scuba instructor. “It’s one of his too many hobbies,” Art said, chuckling. Both Chris and Clint are taking agriculture at U of S. Although Clint isn’t entirely sure what he’s going to do next year, “it will be agriculture-based,” he said.