Beyond Basketball: UPEI’s Kamari Scott makes a positive impact

Kamari Scott’s smile is more than just an expression - it’s a big part of his identity. The fifth-year guard for the UPEI Panthers men’s basketball team has carried the nickname “Smile” since his childhood in Mississauga, ON, thanks to his infectious energy and ever-present grin.

But behind that signature smile is a determined, hard-working athlete who has earned his place both on and off the court.

“I’ve been through a couple of finals,” said Scott.

“I’ve been to nationals. So, a lot of the guys look up to me,” 

Now based in Charlottetown, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 19.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season. 

As a recipient of the 2025 Athletes on Track Bursary, Scott is not only proving his talent but also setting an example for young athletes looking to chase their dreams.

Athletes on Track, a collaborative program between U SPORTS and the Black North Initiative, awards $5,000 to eight exceptional Black student-athletes in U SPORTS. In addition to financial support, recipients gain mentorship in career development, public speaking, and personal growth.

Scott said that as soon as he learned he was one of the successful recipients, he texted UPEI’s Athletic Director, Jane Vessey, to thank her for her support in his application.

“I was very happy. I showed my mom right away – I was like ‘Mom, I won!’,” he said.

As a kid, Scott started his sports journey in soccer. But by the age of 11, he decided it was too slow-paced for his liking. Drawn to scoring and playing defence, he switched to basketball.

The transition was an easy one as Scott grew up shooting hoops on his street with his older brother, cousins, and childhood friend A.J. Lawson, who now plays for the Toronto Raptors. He was also inspired by his uncle who played at Humber College when Scott was a child.

In fact, his uncle’s coach at the time was Darrell Glenn, who now leads the UPEI Panthers as Head Coach.

“It’s crazy to look back and see that he’s coaching me now,” said Scott.

Scott said Glenn’s coaching philosophy played a significant role in his decision to play at UPEI.

“He’s a player’s coach,” he said.

“You can have a sit-down conversation with him about anything. It’s not just Xs and Os. He cares about your life and how you’re doing.” 

Off the court, Scott has a variety of interests. After receiving a colouring book for Christmas last year, he started using it as a meditative hobby.

“It makes me focus on attention to detail,” said Scott.

“I relate it back to basketball because I have to pay attention to the smallest key details in a game, like our plays, so the colouring makes me stay in the lines.”

Cooking is another passion of his because he said he grew up watching his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. His go-to dishes include spaghetti, pasta with alfredo, and, most recently, Jamaican stew with chicken and rice. When he’s not in the kitchen, he enjoys playing pool with teammates, grabbing wings at the local pub, or watching YouTube videos about cars and basketball.

Now approaching the end of his Bachelor of Business Administration, Scott reflects on his academic journey. Having been homeschooled in prep school in the United States since grade 11, he said the transition to in-person learning at UPEI was tough. However, by his third year, he found his rhythm and went on to earn Academic All-Canadian status in his fourth year — an achievement he is very proud of. And looking ahead, his goal is to play professional basketball overseas.

For young athletes, his message is simple: believe in yourself and trust your journey.

“If you feel like you’re not going anywhere or not improving, just keep going,” he said. 

“The days will get better.”