Ottawa fifth-year guard Johnny Berhanemeskel was named recipient of the Moser. The 6-2 Ottawa native was named OUA player of the year and a first-team conference all-star, as well as an All-Canadian honoree for the second time, having been named to the second-team in 2014. An elite, three-point shooter, Berhanemeskel was named to the OUA first-team all-star squad four consecutive seasons. He led the OUA conference in scoring with 23.2 points per game, which ranked third nationally, which dishing 4.5 apg to tie for third in Ontario. He led the Gee-Gees reach the top of the national rankings for the first time in program history and take first place overall in the OUA with an 18-1 record. Berhanemeskel closed his career with 2000 regular season points – the third highest in OUA history and the most among guards. He played in every game over his five seasons and holds a career scoring average of 19.0 points per contest. “Johnny has been an incredible player, leader and teammate for our program. He improved every single year that he has been with the team and has capped it off with a truly amazing season,” said Gee-Gees coach James Derouin. “We are lucky to have him and are thrilled that he was named the program’s first ever CIS player of the year.” The other finalists were UNB guard Javon Masters, McGill forward François Bourque and Victoria forward Chris McLaughlin.
Carleton’s Thomas Scrubb was named recipient of the defensive player of the year award for the second consecutive season. The three-time OUA defensive player of the year, two-time OUA first-team all-star and 6-6 forward from Richmond, B.C., was also voted to the first all-Canadian team. The fifth-year MBA student led the Ravens in rebounds with 7.6 rpg and anchored a defensive unit that ranked first in the country in fewest points allowed (56.4 per game) and rebound margin per contest (+14.3), second in opponents’ field goal percentage (34.2) and fifth in opponents’ three-point FG percentage (28.8). He also averaged a team-high 17.2 ppg, a CIS-best 50% success rate from three-point range, 0.7 spg, 3.6 apg, and 0.4 bpg. He helped the Ravens capture their fifth consecutive CIS title. “Tommy’s drive and determination to shut down the best players each night is a testament to his discipline and work ethic,” said Ravens coach Dave Smart. “Defence is his personal challenge in every game and every practice. On his worst day, Tommy is a solid and fundamental defender and on his best day, he is scary good, while still consistently producing on the offensive end.” Other nominees included Ritchie Kanza Mata of Dalhousie, Dele Ogundokun of McGill and Ben Baker of Saskatchewan.
Brock’s Johneil Simpson was named recipient of the Peters Mullins Trophy as national rookie of the year. The 6-5 guard and Toronto Vaughan Road Academy product, started all 19 league contests while finishing sixth in OUA and 13th in CIS scoring with 19.2 ppg. The sport management student, who was selected OUA rookie of the year, shot 39.6% from the field, including 36.0% from beyond the arc, and 84.7% from the charity stripe. He ranked among CIS rookie leaders in points (364), minutes (634 or 33.4 mpg), minutes per game (33.4), field goals made (131), three-pointers made (41) and free throw percentage. He also collected 108 rebounds (5.7 per game), 27 assists (1.4 apg), 22 steals (1.2) and eight blocks. “Johneil had a very strong rookie season for us,” said Badgers coach Charles Kissi. “He was a tough matchup for most opponents with his ability to create shots, score and just by his pure athleticism. It is going to be exciting to watch him help the program grow over the next four years. He is going to develop into one of the top players in CIS.” Other nominees included Acadia guard Ben Miller, Laval wing Alexandre Leclerc and Calgary guard Lars Schlueter.
Ottawa’s James Derouin was named recipient of the Stuart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy as national coach of the year. In his fifth year at the helm Derouin was named OUA coach of the year after steering the Gee-Gees to an 18-1 record and first place in the OUA North division, the best winning percentage in uOttawa history. It also marked the team’s first OUA overall title since 1975. The Gee-Gees, who reached No. 1 in the national rankings for the first time in program history this season, were the best offensive team in the country in league play scoring 94.5 ppg, and also ranked first in field goal percentage (50.6) and turnovers ratio (+10.4 per game), second in three-point shooting (41.0%), while maintaining the seventh best defensive record in CIS (69.2 ppg). Under Derouin’s guidance, the Gee-Gees have moved from an 11-11 regular season record in his first year to being ranked third or better in the CIS Top 10 poll for 28 consecutive weeks, including four weeks at No. 1. The team has claimed an OUA championship and CIS silver and bronze medals along the way. The 39-year-old holds a career regular season record of 77-28 (.733) and became the fastest coach in uOttawa basketball history to reach 50 league wins. He was captain of the Gee-Gees for both the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, and then spent six years on the garnet and grey sideline as an assistant coach before working with UBC until 2010. “It is fantastic to see James recognized nationally,” said Colin Timm, interim Director of Sports Services. “In just five seasons as head coach, he has developed a culture of success both in the classroom and on the court that has developed some of the best talent in the country. His leadership and ability to recruit both the best coaches and student-athletes will ensure the stability and success of our program for the long-term.” Other nominees included New Brunswick’s Brent Baker, McGill’s David DeAveiro and Calgary’s Dan Vanhooren.
Joining Berhanemeskel and Thomas Scrubb on the all-Canadian first-team were Victoria’s Chris McLaughlin (Victoria); Javon Masters (New Brunswick); and Philip Scrubb (Carleton). …………………………………………………… McLaughlin, a fifth-year 6-10 post and social sciences student from Oakville, Ontario, was chosen player of the year in the Canada West conference. He averaged 19.8 ppg, finishing second in the conference in scoring, and 10.0 rpg, finishing third in the conference in rebounding. He averaged 33.2 mpg and notched nine double-doubles, while leading the Vikes to a 15-5 record. “I am very proud of what Chris has accomplished in his five years at UVic,” said Vikings coach Craig Beaucamp. “This is a fitting tribute to a true fifth-year player who developed and improved over the course of his career. … Many people forget how hard Chris worked to become the player he is now. We are talking about a guy that averaged five minutes a game in his first two years and this year he was a dominant player in the Canada West this year.” …………………………………………………… Masters, a 2nd-year guard and arts student from Kitchener, Ontario, was chosen player of the year and a first-team all-star in the AUA. He averaged 25.1 ppg. He led the country in free throws made with 161 and finished second in the Atlantic conference in field goals made with 158. He also finished third overall in the AUS in assists with 94, while leading the Varsity Reds to their first regular season AUA title since 1967. “It’s been no coincidence that UNB has steadily improved over the last two seasons since the arrival of Javon Masters,” said Varsity Reds coach Brent Baker. “The Kitchener native’s dynamic open court play and the ability to finish in traffic have garnered him the nation’s scoring title in back-to-back years. Consistency is the hardest thing to achieve in sport and for Javon to produce as he does on a nightly basis is truly remarkable in itself. His off-season work is what truly differentiates him from other players.” …………………………………………………… Philip Scrubb, a 5th-year guard and commerce student from, Richmond, B.C., and three-time Moser winner, earned his fourth consecutive first-team selection. He averaged 16.6 ppg, while being named an OUA first-team all-star for the fourth consecutive season. He led OUA making 55 three-pointers, and was fourth in the conference shooting 48.7% from beyond the arc. He ranked third in the OUA with 4.5 assists per game, led the conference with a 4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, and shot 90% from the free-throw line.
The
All-Canadian second team featured Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson (Calgary); Jahmal Jones
(Ryerson); Tyler Scott (Prince Edward Island); Tommy Nixon (U.B.C.) and François
Bourque (McGill). …………………………………………………… Ogungbemi-Jackson, a 5th-year
guards and arts student from Winnipeg, Manitoba, He averaged 19.3 ppg, while
finishing his career with 1,799 points. He was fourth in the conference with
386 points in 20 games, adding 103 assists (third in Canada West) and 130
defensive rebounds – the fourth-best total in the conference this year. He
finishes his career in the top three on the Dinos’ all-time list in scoring,
field goals, three-point field goals, free throw percentage, defensive
rebounds, assists, steals, games played, games started, and minute played.
…………………………………………………… Jones, a 5th-year guard and business technology
management student from Mississauga, Ontario, was a first-team OUA all-star for
the fourth consecutive season, He averaged 17.2 ppg, led the conference with
5.4 apg and ranked tied for third with 1.7 spg. steals per game. But perhaps
nothing demonstrated his growth at the guard position more than posting a
career low in turnovers and a career best 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio.
…………………………………………………… Scott, a 3rd-year 6-2 guard and business
administration student from Halifax, averaged 23.9 ppg, while being chosen a
first-team AUS all-star. …………………………………………………… Nixon, a 5th-year
guard and kinesiology student from Vancouver, B.C., He averaged 20.8 ppg to
lead the Canada West conference. He was chosen a first-team Canada West
all-star while leading the Thunderbirds to the league’s Final Four. He notched
45 points in a game again Trinity Western, the third-highest point total in UBC
history. …………………………………………………… Bourque, a 2nd-year forward and
economics student from Terrebonne, Que., was chosen the RSEQ player of the year
after averaging 10.4 ppg and 8.9 rpg. In league play, he topped the RSEQ in both
offensive and defensive rebounds while being chosen a first-team all-star.
Joining Simpson on the all-rookie
team were Ben Miller (Acadia); Lars Schlueter (Calgary); Alexandre Leclerc
(Laval); and Luke Allin (Wilfrid Laurier). …………………………………………………… Miller, a 6-2
guard and an arts student from Winnipeg, Manitoba, averaged 9.3 ppg while being
chosen AUS rookie of the year. He started all 20 games for the Axemen and finished
fourth overall in the conference in three-point shots made, sinking 42. He also
averaged 4.4 rpg and finished 10th overall in total assists with 61. “Ben
Miller came to Acadia as a highly rated point guard, and he proved to be all
that a more, continually exceeding the expectations of the Axemen coaching staff,”
said Axemen coach Kevin Duffie. “He is a tremendous competitor with a
day-to-day work ethic that is top notch. Ben has a great feel for the game and
exceptional court vision, allowing him to make his teammates better. He has
made a seamless transition from high school to the CIS and has had an impact on
both sides of the ball all season long.” …………………………………………………… Schlueter, a 6-8
forward and arts student from Ulm, Germany, averaged 9.3 ppg, and ranked in the
top 20 in Canada West in three-point field goal percentage. He started every game
for the Dinos and scored in double digits nine times. “When freshmen enter the
CIS, usually they are either not ready physically, not prepared technically for
the speed of play, or not ready mentally to handle the responsibility of a
starting role, let alone the academic demands of university,” said Dinos coach
Dan Vanhooren. “Lars has surpassed all of these assumptions. He is physically
ready and at 6’8” a tremendous asset on the perimeter or in the post. He sees the
game well and has been taught, not only how to space a ball screen, but to
rotate well defensively. He is a high percentage shooter with a quick
enough release to handle the speed of our game and can run the floor very well.
He is also a gem for us administratively and has shown a strong ability to
manage his time well and perform in the classroom. Overall, he is a perfect
recruit for any CIS program and we are fortunate to have him with ours.”
…………………………………………………… Leclerc, a 6-6 forward and recreation student from
Saguenay, Que., averaged 11.5 ppg. He was chosen the RSEQ rookie of the year
and ranked in league’s top 10 in points per game, free-throw percentage,
three-point percentage and three-pointers made. …………………………………………………… Allin, a
6-7 forward and arts student from Chatham, Ont., averaged 7.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg
while starting 18 of 20 OUA games. Allin finished second in the conference in
three-point shooting efficiency as he connected on 49.3 percent of his attempts,
including 7-7 from the arc in a win over Toronto.