When an athlete’s competitive career ends, what is left behind? How do you measure impact or evaluate legacy? There are stats, of course; numbers that reflect a game-to-game influence. There are, if you’re truly fortunate, wins and playoff successes. But, perhaps more important than anything, are the stories of those who were firsthand front-row witnesses to just what you meant to your team.
For UNBC men’s basketball great Sam Raphael the numbers are there. The banners are plenty. But, according to those who suited up in the green and gold with him, it was the team-first, relentless, unwavering leadership and commitment that made Raphael a slam-dunk induction into the Timberwolves Wall of Honour.
With a British Columbia double-A provincial title to his name, Raphael made the jump from Duchess Park Secondary to his hometown Timberwolves prior to the 2008-2009 BCCAA campaign, bringing with him a well-earned reputation for enticing athleticism and suffocating defense.
In limited minutes for the 12-6 T-wolves, he averaged 6.7 points and four rebounds per game, but impressed UNBC coach Mike Raimbault with his commitment and hunger to grow his role moving forward.
“His first year was a bit of an adjustment to the level and to university life,” said Raimbault. “He grew so much that year and really put himself in a position to impact our group the following year. His hard work paid off because he was a huge part of our group in his second season.”
“Sam was special in all the right ways. He was extremely gifted athletically, but he brought a strong work ethic, intelligence, relentless competitive spirit, and selfless team-focused attitude,” said teammate Dennis Stark. “He immediately fit in and helped grow our team culture.”
The 2009-2010 season is well-known in the northern BC community, as the Timberwolves went a stunning 17-1 throughout the BCCAA regular season and Raphael became a crucial cog to the UNBC gameplan at both ends of the court.
“Sam made this big jump from his freshman year to his sophomore year, where he was an integral part of our championship run,” said UNBC star Inderbir Gill. “He really is, without a doubt, one of the toughest players I ever had the privilege to play with. He is also one of the nicest people I met in Prince George. His smile truly lit up the room and he was so fun to be around.”
Raphael averaged 7.8 points 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while playing major minutes in the Timberwolves storybook season. UNBC would beat VIU 84-65 to claim the BCCAA provincial Championship and defeat the SAIT Trojans 96-63 to earn the 2010 CCAA national title. To go along with the two banners, Raphael would be named UNBC Best Defensive Player for his diligent work to defend.
“Sam was responsible for our major defensive assignments and matchups. He would guard primary scorers at almost all positions for large portions of the game,” said Raimbault. “He would create offense for us through his defense, he’d score in transition, and made timely three-point shorts. Same was extremely unselfish and accepted his role of providing toughness to the group by defending and rebounding.”
The 2010-2011 campaign saw another uptick in Raphael’s role, with every minute well-earned through the intangibles he brought to the court. Following the CCAA title, Raimbault had moved on and been replaced by Todd Jordan, who leaned on his athletic swingman to play a lead role for the program. Raphael averaged 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists as the T-wolves went 16-2 and advanced all the way to the BCCAA championship game.
“Sam’s biggest attribute was probably that he was a competitor. When the lights came on during game nights, he was all-in,” said Jordan, who coached his fellow Prince George product for three seasons. “Defensively, rebounding, and truly battling on every possession. He was really tough attacking the basket off the dribble, and he became a solid three-point shooter. He was our best defender every year, and he became very good on the offensive end.”
Well-recognized, by then, for his defensive acumen, his coach’s appreciation for his burgeoning offensive ability would prove to be crucial to another special UNBC season. In the newly-renamed Pacific Western Athletic Association, the 2011-2012 Timberwolves would go 13-3, good for second in the conference standings. Raphael enjoyed the finest season of his career, averaging 12.2 points, good for top-20 in the league, to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
He was named a PacWest Second Team All-Star for his efforts, as well as UNBC Most Outstanding Player and Best Defensive Player at the conclusion of the year. However, his best basketball was saved for a playoff run that would add more hardware to his trophy case.
The Timberwolves advanced through to the playoffs, beating Vancouver Island University 69-61 to claim the second provincial banner in program history. Despite coming up short at the CCAA National Championships, Raphael was named an All-Star at the PacWest Provincial Tournament, and a CCAA National Tournament Second Team All-Star.
“Sam was, of course, our defensive stopper, but he was a major impact guy as a slasher on the offensive end. He would guard the best player on the other team, because he was our most competitive guy,” said Jordan. “He was a major factor in us winning the PacWest title, guarding VIU’s star Jacob Thom, who was a nightmare to deal with. But unsurprisingly, Sam did a great job and is a big reason for the banner on the wall.”
Heading into his senior season, the Timberwolves made the jump from the collegiate level to the Canada West conference, where they’d compete with the biggest universities in the country. Raphael would be tasked with carrying a heavy burden, leading a young roster against CIS competition.
As expected, the T-wolves’ win-loss record took a step back from the historic level it had maintained for years in the college ranks, but their senior guard wasn’t about to back down from any challenge.
“That was tough, starting in the CIS, but Sam’s Leadership stood out and showed me what it means to play at a high level,” said guard Billy Cheng, who was in his second season in 2012-2013. “Sam was vocal and led by example. He took his offense and on-ball defense to a whole new level, which was really inspiring to witness. Although we were a young team playing against much bigger universities, Sam never backed down and showed up every game regardless of the competition. That is what the mindset of being a Timberwolf is all about.”
For the 6-16 but history-making Timberwolves, Raphael averaged 14.4 points per game, good for top-20 in the entire conference, to go along with 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and a 40.6 per cent on three-pointers – a top-15 rank in CW, and a signal of how far he had come to round out his game.
Unsurprisingly, he was named UNBC Best Defensive Player, Most Outstanding Player, and was the first winner of UNBC’s Male Athlete of the Year. He concluded his career top-10 in program history in points, and top-five all-time in rebounds. The Prince George product remains the only three-time winner of the program’s Best Defensive Player Award.
“Sam was a five-year Timberwolf and a local guy who gave his heart and soul to competing for the program while he was here. He set an example as a competitor and brought a lot of very positive leadership qualities to the team that have helped to set a cultural foundation for the program,” said Jordan. “He’s the type of guy you wanted to go to battle with because he’d put it all out there and play with his heart every night.”
One of the greatest teammates and leaders in UNBC history, Raphael outworked the competition on the way to one of the best Timberwolves careers of all time. Perhaps the final word should go to one of his fellow T-wolves, who witnessed, first-hand, the Sam Raphael legacy being built in real time.
“He completely embodied what Timberwolves Athletics is all about. He proved himself, fully, at both the college level and the university level,” said Stark. “Sam is part of the reason this program was promoted to U SPORTS, and also proved to the rest of the conference that UNBC belonged. He is a local product. He is a UNBC alumni. Sam had an incredible career, and his impact is still being felt. An incredibly deserving inductee.”
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