Elijah Fisher, 12, a Toronto basketball phenom to watch

Elijah Fisher is a6-foot-2 basketball phenomwho'swidely considered the topplayer to watch for the high school class of 2023.

But right now, he's only 12.

"I've never had a kid, or a player, or a student athletethis young that's been able to compete and not show signs of being nervous orbeing out of place," said his coachRo Russell, the basketball coordinator at Elijah's school,Crestwood Preparatory College in North York.

"He fits right in as if he's an 11th grader or 12th grader," he added.

Elijah, who's in Grade 7, was the first middle school student to play and score in a senior varsity game for theCrestwoodLions earlier this year.

"I know I'm at the same skill as them, and it makes me better," Elijah said.

Elijah Fisher on why he loves basketball

8 years ago

Duration 1:07

North York student Elijah Fisher, 12, is the top-ranked player for his age by a number of scouting organizations.

Ranked number one

It's not surprising he's already caught the eye of a number of scouting organizations andAmerican ranking websites, where he's often the top-ranked player for his future high school graduation class.

"He's been to all the camps, all the tournaments, and he's always come out number one," said Russell.

The goal, Russell added, is to have Elijahhead to a major NCAA Division 1 university and then the NBA.

He comes from a basketball family his dad, mom, aunt, and uncles all played but Elijahwasn't a natural on the court at first.

"When he started he could not play, he was not good, no," said his mom,Thelia Turnbull. But after a lot of work including regularly waking up at 5 a.m. to train something clicked, and he fell in love with the sport.

"From there, it was magical to watch," said Turnbull.

Balancing school and basketball

When he's not shooting hoops, Elijahis just a "normal kid," according to his mom. He still has chores and a regular bedtime at home, she said. "He's not a superstar yet," Turnbull added. "Not in the household."

Elijah is also getting mostly A's in school, and said his academic workiseven more important to him than basketball.

"If Iget a good education, if I don't make it to the NBAI have a backup plan," Elijah said.

It's possible he might be one of the best ever.- North York coachRo Russell on basketball phenom Elijah Fisher

But if the predictions are right, he probably won't need a plan B.

Elijah's coach thinks he could one day join theranks of some of the biggest Canadian basketball stars,like AndrewWiggins,TristanThompson, and the Raptors'Cory Joseph.

"We see him following in the footsteps of those great players that have come out of Canada in recent years, and who knows it's possible he might be one of the best ever," said Russell.