In the last Can Ball Report post of 2009, we want to wish our readers a specials Happy New Year as well as leave a few great stories to ring in the new year with, or to try to make sense of through a possible hangover New Year's Day.  Happy New Year everybody!

So with the 2010 almost upon us (or already upon us if you are reading this Jan 1), we at The Can Ball Report here on Raptors HQ would like to wish all of our readers a very happy, successful and eventful New Year.  We thank all of you for checking us out daily and reminding us why we do what we do here on the site.  There is lots to look forward to in 2010 from a Canadian basketball standpoint with the icing on the proverbial cake being the FIBA World Championships coming up this summer where both the Senior Men and Women have qualified for.  For now, we have left you a few links from this past week so enjoy your time with family and friends and tune in regularly in the new yeat for the low down on all things Canadian basketball. 

Nash is CBCSports.ca Athlete of the Decade
Basketball star Steve Nash of Victoria is CBCSports.ca's choice for Canada's Athlete of the Decade, writes Paul Jay.

Triano top sports newsmaker - Niagara Falls Review - Ontario, CA

Here are some stories on Canada and the coming World Championships ...

The Canadian Press: Canada one of six countries to qualify all four teams in 2009 to worlds

Canada's strong year on the hardcourt - The Globe and Mail

Another episode of the season long video diary of Findlay Prep on Flagrant Fouls.  You'll notice Canadians Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson in the video ... Findlay Prep- The Season: Episode #7 | Flagrant Fouls

A great story on Toronto baller Papa Oppong journey to Eastern Kentucky ... The Richmond Register - After a roundabout journey, Oppong finds a home at EKU

Oshawa, ON native Kendra Seto was America East Conference Rookie of the Week ... Women's Basketball : University of Vermont

A great interview with Miranda Ayim, star of the Pepperdine women's basketball team ... Malibu Times > News > Sports > Miranda Ayim, not a typical athlete
 

And lastly, here is a story that I did for SLAMonline on the worst sneaker of the decade ... SLAM ONLINE | " Decade’s Worst: Sneaker