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TORONTO - Between Canadian players making headlines in the NBA and the recent success of the Toronto Raptors, NBA legend Bill Walton said these are heady days for basketball in Canada.Its truly remarkable how far, in just 30 years, Canadian basketball has come, Walton said.The NBA MVP and basketball Hall of Famer was in Toronto on Thursday to help launch ticket sales for the Canadian university mens Final 8, which will be held at Ryerson University for the first time.What (the Raptors) have been able to do, sell-out crowds every night, currently in first place . . . But more importantly, what (the CIS championship) is all about is developing the homegrown talent in local programs, grassroots, getting the foundation going so everything will rise at the same time, Walton said.Walton addressed a large crowd of student athletes at Ryersons Mattamy Athletic Centre in an engaging presentation that lasted over 30 minutes. He spoke at length about two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, poking fun at the Victoria native while holding him up as an example of what hard work can do.To be a champion in life, like Steve Nash, it makes no difference how big you are if you cant play like a giant, Walton said. Of all the players that Ive had the privilege of watching, no single player has elicited more oohs and aahs than little Stevie, who . . . I was Steves size when I was born. Im faster today, and Im 62 years old, Ive had 37 orthopedic operations. Ive got a new knee, Ive got a new spine, and Im faster today than Steve ever was.The Ryerson Rams mens team, ranked No. 3 in the CIS, earns an automatic berth to the Final 8 tournament, March 12-15, as host. Roy Rana, who took over as Rams head coach six years ago, said hosting the tournament in Toronto has been a long time coming.Ive been a part of the fabric of the sport in this city for a long time, its never happened here, Rana said. When I took this job six years ago. . . I said You know what, I really believe that this university and this program was a jewel in the citys crown, and I wanted to put some shine on it.To be here six years later in this building, speaking about the national championship, about hosting a national championship is incredibly powerful, its an emotional moment for me. This season is going to be a very special season for our guys.Walton credited Canadas success story partly to the globalization of the NBA that former commissioner David Stern launched in the early 1990s. There are 13 Canadians on NBA rosters this season, behind to only the United States.There is no end of Canadian role models in the sport, Walton said.To have witnessed Steve Nash over the course of his brilliant career, I just love Steve and what hes been able to do as a shining star, as a beacon of hope, as a moral compass to us all, Walton said. As I was a young child many years ago, I had my heroes, and people are looking at Steve Nash, theyre looking at these current Raptor players, theyre looking these Ryerson Rams, at these (Canadian) coaches whove given everything for someone else. . .Walton was asked about Nash being forced to skip what would have been his 19th — and likely final — season in the NBA. Nash is sidelined with the nerve damage in his back that has plagued him for the past few seasons.Dont pronounce him dead. Because Steve is just getting started, Walton said. Ultimately Steve will be one of those rare people who will be better in his post-playing life and career than he ever was as a player.As a player, he was unparalleled, he was unmatched, he was just fantastic. Be happy for him, be proud of him, encourage him and support him and thank him for what hes done to make our world a better place on and off the court.Ryersons Mattamy Athletic Centre — the former Maple Leaf Gardens — will host the CIS tournament, and will also be the basketball venue for next summers Pan and Parapan American Games.Its a fitting venue as the building hosted the first Basketball Association of America game in 1946, between the Toronto Huskies and New York Knickerbockers. The BAA merged with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the NBA.Forty-seven schools from the four CIS conferences will compete for an eventual spot in the Final 8. Michael Bennett Jersey . General Manager Sam Presti said the three-time All-Star had knee swelling that would not subside, and the procedure was intended to solve the problem. 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Scott Robertson has taken charge of Crusaders followwing Todd Blackadders departure for Bath He said: I have had a great time playing in France and Japan, but the opportunity to be part of a New Zealand Super Rugby team is too good to pass up.ddddddddddddI love the intensity and tempo of Super Rugby and the New Zealand teams are leading the charge in that respect at the moment, so I cant wait to be a part of that.Robertson added: Digby is a massive talent, who we believe still has plenty of top class playing years left in him.We are excited about what he can do for this team, with his remarkable ability to create opportunities and score tries. Also See: Blackadder, Matson in at Bath Rugby on Sky Follow @SkySportsRugby Pundits ' ' '