On March 14, 2026, Father Henry Carr hosted the second annual Dillon Brooks Cup (Est in 2025).
This year’s event was like no other event held at Father Henry Carr or any school within the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). The entire school and community came together to celebrate and honour the addition of Dillon Brooks’ number 24 to the Wall of Fame, the number he wore during his tenure at Father Henry Carr under Coach Melnik.
Through the respect that alumnus Dillon Brooks has earned in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and amongst his teammates, Dillon Brooks and the entire Phoenix Suns basketball team attended this event.
School Principal Mr. Malfitano, and Father Henry Carr staff, Ms. White, Ms. Murad, Ms. Louis, Ms. Gazzaruso, Ms. Mazzucco, Ms. De Mederios, Ms. Plummer, Mr. C. Yammine, Mr. B. Yammine, Mr. Matti, Ms. Tamra, Mr. Pileggi and Mr. Miekhel worked diligently to prepare this very momentous and special event for alumnus Dillon Brooks.
Principal Mr. Malfitano worked with the Phoenix Suns organization and Head of Phoenix Suns Security and player personnel to ensure the safety and privacy of the team.
The Brooks family, 17 Phoenix Suns players, Phoenix Suns Head Coach and team management, Associate Director Mr. Della Mora and TCDSB personnel were in attendance at Father Henry Carr to celebrate the significant occasion.
The ceremony included speeches from Mr. Derek Boyce, School Principal Mr. Malfitano, Coach Melnik and Dillon Brooks, meet and greet with Phoenix Suns players, photos, a Dillon Brooks tribute video, Dillon the Villain T-shirts and the raising of the Number 24 Dillon Brooks banner.
The event drew media from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including the Phoenix Suns team media personnel, which was featured on their own personal media outlets—a first in TCDSB history.
Associate Directors Mr. Boyce and Mr. Della Mora were in attendance for the event. Mr. Boyce had the opportunity to share some of his recollections of his time coaching Dillon Brooks.
Thank you to the TCDSB Communications Department, Nicole McInerney, Elric Pereira and Sydney Gibbs, for their contribution to the facilitation of this event.
The event also featured a game between two very well-established prep programs, the Father Henry Carr Crusaders and the King’s Heights Knights.
During his speech, Dillon thanked School Principal Mr. Malfitano and especially Coach Melnik, whom he has spoken at length about for his dedication, work ethic and commitment to helping students reach their basketball dreams. Associate Director Derek Boyce, who also coached Dillon Brooks, coined Coach Melnik as the “coach they trusted with players,” who helped place Canada on the world map for basketball.
Dillon Brooks has continued to be a major sponsor of the Father Henry Carr prep program, a partnership that was established in 2024 during School Principal Mr. Malfitano’s first year at the helm of the school. His sponsorship has continued with financial donations, Nike sponsorship and appearances.
The Father Henry Carr Senior Prep team, which resurfaced under the guidance and leadership of Superintendent Ms. Cifelli in 2025, was recently crowned the 2026 Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) Trillium Senior Basketball Champions, a first in the history of Father Henry Carr and Coach Melnik’s tenure. Father Henry Carr is also the only TCDSB school to win this championship. In fact, Father Henry Carr became the first high school to win both an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Championship (in 2016) and a prep championship.
In addition, the junior team competed in two leagues. They made it to the OSBA D League Final Four and simultaneously won the Toronto District Catholic Athletic Association (TDCAA) Senior High School Championship, representing the TDCAA at OFSAA.
Father Henry Carr is extremely grateful and blessed for the contribution and attendance of the Phoenix Suns organization, alumnus Dillon Brooks and the Dillon Brooks family.
