Arizona State Has A Lot To Offer In The Eyes Of Labonte

William Labonte RHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2025

OKOTOKS, AB - What is not to like about Arizona State for a 16-year-old baseball player in Canada?

“It’s Arizona weather, you can’t go wrong with that,” Will Labonte reasoned about what stood out on his college visit to Tempe that ended in an offer and commitment to the Pacific 12 university. “You can be outside all year long. Here in Canada, you go inside in October/November and then back outside in March.

“It will be nice to play year ’round. The facilities are underneath the stadium with easy access which is nice. It’s just a good fit for me.”

Labonte pointed to his coaches with playing a role in finding a home at ASU.

“Both of my coaches played college baseball in Arizona and had very good connections with the assistant coach there who was head coach at Central Arizona College,” Labonte related in reference to Anthony Gilich. “They saw videos of my in-game performance and at the Future Games. After that I went on a visit and that’s where I got my offer.”

The first phone call came on Aug. 1, with the visit taking place on Aug. 14.

“They like my ability to compete,” explained Labonte, who had offers from Portland, Missouri State and Utah while also talking to Michigan. “When I’m on the mound I don’t care who I’m facing, it doesn’t change my approach. I’m always attacking the strike zone.”

Born in Montreal, Labonte moved to Calgary, Alberta this year and the decision to go west to play high school baseball at Okotoks Dawgs Academy has proven beneficial.

“In Montreal I was always a good player but knew there were a lot better pitchers in the states,” Labone said. “When I got invited here I realized I have a shot at playing college baseball but had to work to get it.

“I have a couple friends that went there and talked to the coaches about me and invited me on a visit to throw a bullpen to show what I was all about,” the 5-10 170-pounder explained. “I’m an only child and my parents were able to accommodate their jobs and move there with me.”

An improved game has come with the territory.

“I gained a lot of velo this summer,” related the third-rated 2025 in Alberta. “I started summer sitting 85 and one month in went to hitting 88-89-90, topping at 92. That’s when it all started. I was always in control of my offspeed but a couple miles per hour were missing. Now it’s there.”

Participation in the Future Games for Team Canada was major in his recruitment.

“The Future Games is really really a great event,” Labonte said. “I’ve never been to an event with that many scouts attending and watching every game. It’s a special place with beautiful weather and beautiful facilities. It definitely helped. Lots of schools talked to me after seeing me there and that put pressure on other schools.”

To find a home at Arizona State is notable for the second-ranked junior right-handed pitcher in Alberta.

“The feeling was something special,” Labonte said of making a commitment. “To go to a big school like ASU, it’s special for me. I’m really proud of myself. But I’m not done yet. The work starts now. I don’t take anything for granted.”

That is good news for Arizona State when it comes to the hard-working Labonte, a 4.0 student interested in getting into a business program but also considering medicine.

“I’m a good academic student,” Labonte noted. “I don’t cause trouble, I just go about my business as a professional. I’ll get on campus and do my best to help the team. I really like to play for a team, not just myself. That’s something I hope happens at ASU.”

There is more that the 16-year-old is looking forward to at Arizona State, which had eight players taken in the most recent Major League Baseball Draft.

“High level moments,” Labonte said. “That’s what college baseball is good for, tight games in championships. At ASU I might get a chance to play in the College World Series. That’s a big goal of mine. I also want to take my game to the next level and, hopefully, play professional baseball.”