Saskatoon hoopers Michael and Amari Linklater team up on Amazing Race

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Michael Linklater has travelled the globe playing basketball. He was competing again on his most recent trip — but it was a whole new type of game, with a son as his teammate.

Michael, 41, and son Amari, 19, are teammates in Season 10 of The Amazing Race Canada. The reality TV show competition, which debuts on July 2 on CTV, features teams of two racing across the country and competing in challenges in a variety of communities.

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The members of the winning team receive $250,000 in cash, a pair of 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV RS vehicles and a trip around the world.

Here are five things to know about Michael and Amari Linklater:

1 — Both are hoopers

Michael has been a familiar face in Saskatoon basketball circles for more than two decades. In high school, he starred at Mount Royal Collegiate. He helped the University of Saskatchewan men’s squad win its only national title. He was a member of the Saskatchewan Rattlers’ championship squad in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. And he has represented Canada on the FIBA 3×3 World Cup circuit.

Amari was a standout at Aden Bowman Collegiate, represented Saskatchewan at the North American Indigenous Games, and is currently playing at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton.

2 — Setting positive examples

The two practise their culture and live what they describe as a healthy, sober lifestyle. Michael’s mother was part of the Sixties Scoop and his grandparents were residential school survivors. He saw early in his life the impact addictions can have, and has been determined to be a role model.

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3 — Father and son

In some ways, the two are very similar. At the same time, Michael is 41 years old and Amari is 19.

Michael’s pet peeve about Amari: “Reminding him to clean his room,” he says. Amari’s pet peeve about his dad? “He’s always busy.”

If they were to win, Michael says, he would invest the money and support his family. Amari, on the other hand, says he’d buy shoes and travel.

4 — Strengths and weaknesses

Both describe their physicality as a strength for the competition. The types of challenges that could cause them trouble? Michael says he’s claustrophobic. Amari has a fear of bugs.

5 — Thunderchild FN members

The Linklaters are members of Thunderchild First Nation, located approximately 115 kilometres northwest of North Battleford. The first Indigenous father-son duo in the show’s history, they are attempting to become the first team from Saskatchewan to win The Amazing Race Canada.

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