Briercrest forward Jude Shepherd-Hills was named CCAA player of the year. The 6-4 forward and 5th-year psychology major from Saskatoon, Sask., (Saskatoon Basketball Academy) was the ACAC south player of the year. Shepherd-Hills “embodies everything the CCAA looks for in a Player of the Year—excellence on the court, leadership within his team, and a commitment to both athletic and academic success. His ability to impact the game in so many ways, from scoring and rebounding to defending and facilitating, has made him an invaluable piece of Briercrest College’s incredible season.” said national men’s basketball convenor Jonathan Lambert. “Beyond the stat sheet, Jude’s dedication to his teammates, his mentorship off the court, and his contributions to the basketball community set him apart. His legacy as Briercrest’s all-time leading rebounder and a model student-athlete is well-earned.” Clippers coach Shane Sowden said “I am extremely proud of not only the player Jude has turned into but more so what kind of man he has become over the past few years. His leadership skills and willingness to sacrifice personal stats for the good of the team this year has been on full display. Jude’s willingness to buy into our team philosophy has had a tremendous influence on the rest of the team. Jude’s work ethic and dedication to improve each year is evident in the season he has had on the court and in the team’s 19-1 record.” Shepherd-Hills started all 19 conference games he played, for an average 28.2 mpg. He hit 116-230 (.504) from the floor, 28-97 (.289) from the arc and 58-74 (.784) from the line, while garnering 205 boards, including 35 on the offensive glass and a 10.8 rpg, 28 fouls (fouling out once), 49 assists, 34 turnovers, a 1.4 asst/to ratio, 3 blocks, 39 steals and 318 points, for a 16.7 ppg.
Mount Saint Vincent coach Danny De Palma was named the CCAA Coach of the Year. De Palma led the Mystics to an 18-0 regular season record and a runner-up finished in the conference’s postseason tournament. Since assuming the Mystics helm in 2021, “De Palma’s impact on the Mount Saint Vincent University men’s basketball program has been nothing short of remarkable. Leading the Mystics to an undefeated regular season in one of the most competitive ACAA campaigns to date is a testament to his leadership, preparation, and commitment to excellence. His ability to develop talent, foster a strong team culture, and support his athletes beyond the court makes him a truly deserving recipient” of the laurels said national men’s basketball convenor Jonathan Lambert. The other nominees were: Geoff Pippus (Camosun); Shane Sowden (Briercrest); Omar Miles (Humber) and Michael Chmielewski (Jean-de-Brebeuf).
Joining Shepherd-Hills on the All-Canadian team (all were first team all-conference selections) were: …………………………………………………… David Finch (Camosun), a 6-5 wing and 3rd-year sports management major from Vancouver, B.C. (North Vancouver Argyle). Finch started all 22 Pac West games, playing an average 28.8 mpg. He hit 128-298 (.430) from the floor, 44-124 (.355) from the arc and 39-49 (.796) from the line, while garnering 136 boards, including 21 on the offensive glass and a 6.2 rpg, 53 fouls (fouling out once), 71 assists, 46 turnovers, a 1.5 asst/to ration, 8 blocks, 15 steals and 339 points, for a 15.4 ppg. …………………………………………………… Kameron Bender (Vancouver Island), a 6-3 guard and 3rd-year arts major from Tustin, California (Higley High), was the Pac West player of the year. He started 21 of 24 conference games, playing an average 28.2 mpg. He hit 151-314 (.481) from the floor, 29-92 (.315) from the arc and 104-138 (.754) from the line, while garnering 113 boards, including 22 on the offensive glass and a 4.7 rpg, 65 fouls (fouling out 4 times), 84 assists, 69 turnovers, a 1.2 asst/to ratio, 14 blocks, 44 steals and 435 points, for an 18.1 ppg. …………………………………………………… Keenan Miller (Keyano), a 6-5 guard and 4th-year business administration/sport management major from Columbia, Missouri, was the ACAC North player of the year. “Keenan is one of the most efficient players we’ve had at Keyano,” Huskies coach Jeremy Wielenga said. “He does it at both ends of the floor. He shows his leadership through his play each and every night.” Miller started 20 ACAC regular season games, playing an average 28.8 mpg. He hit 121-236 (.513) from the floor, 35-74 (.473) from the arc and 88-105 (.838) from the line, while garnering 72 boards, including 15 on the offensive glass and a 3.6 rpg, 45 fouls (fouling out twice), 45 assists, 72 turnovers, a 0.9 asst/to ratio, 4 blocks, 17 steals and 365 points, for an 18.3 ppg. …………………………………………………… Brock Dewsbery (Saint Mary’s University), a 6-3 guard and 5th-year arts/psychology major from Raymond, Alta. (Raymond). Dewsbery started 20-21 of ACAC games, playing an average 31.5 mpg. He hit 163-338 (.482) from the floor, 22-90 (.244) from the arc and 107-128 (.836) from the line, while garnering 114 boards, including 20 on the offensive glass and a 5.4 rpg, 50 fouls, 54 assists, 43 turnovers, 8 blocks, 27 steals and 455 points, for a 21.7 ppg. …………………………………………………… Malik Grant (Humber), a 6-6 forward and 4th-year recreation & leisure major from Brampton, Ont. (AI Black, Kilgore JC in Texas and the University of New Brunswick), was the OCAA player of the year. He started all 18 conference games, playing an average 29.7 mpg. He hit 116-248 (.468) from the floor, 30-85 (.353) from the arc and 30-43 (.698) from the line, while garnering 125 boards, including 24 on the offensive glass and a 6.9 rpg, 12 fouls, 77 assists, 37 turnovers, a 2.1 asst/to ratio, 12 blocks, 21 steals and 292 points, for a 16.2 ppg. …………………………………………………… Mark Stoop (Durham), a 6-6 forward and 4th-year mechanical technician – elevating devices major from Oshawa, Ont. (Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic), was the OCAA East division player of the year. He started all 18 conference games, playing an average 27.9 mpg. He hit 85-181 (.470) from the floor, 9-41 (.220) from the arc and 19-28 (.679) from the line, while garnering 153 boards, including 43 on the offensive glass and an 8.5 rpg, 25 fouls (fouling out once), 44 assists, 26 turnovers, a 1.7 asst/to ration, 32 blocks, 28 steals and 198 points, for an 11.0 ppg. …………………………………………………… Mazin Tiea (St. Clair), a 6-7 forward and 4th-year protection, security & investigation major from Windsor, Ont. (W.C. Kennedy Collegiate), was the OCAA West division defensive player of the year. He started all 16 league games he played, for an average 25.8 mpg. He hit 109-176 (.619) from the floor, 0-1 from the arc and 42-60 (.700) from the line, while garnering 139 boards, including 52 on the offensive glass and an 8.7 rpg, 37 fouls, 16 assists, 24 turnovers, a 0.7 asst/to ratio, 46 blocks, 21 steals and 260 points, for a 16.3 ppg. …………………………………………………… Edouard Gauthier (Jean-de-Brebeuf), a 6-5 guard and 2nd-year social sciences major from Blainville, Que, was the RSEQ player of the year. He started all 16 RSEQ games, playing an average 29.4 mpg. He hit 115-256 (.449) from the floor, 43-120 (.358) from the arc and 52-63 (.825) from the line, while garnering 116 boards, including 32 on the offensive glass and 7.3 rpg, 24 fouls, 40 assists, 46 turnovers, 11 blocks, 29 steals and 325 points, for a 20.3 ppg. …………………………………………………… Isaac Pierre-Louis (Jean-de-Brebeuf), a 6-5 guard and 3rd-year social sciences major from Montreal, Que. He started all 16 RSEQ games, playing an average 28.6 mpg. He hit 93-178 (.522) from the floor, 8-32 from the arc and 60-77 (.779) from the line, while garnering 110 boards, including 16 on the offensive glass and a 6.9 rpg, 46 fouls (fouling out twice), 39 assists, 30 turnovers, 11 blocks, 24 steals and 254 points, for a 15.9 ppg. …………………………………………………… Guillaume St-Pierre (Sherbrooke), a 6-6 guard and social sciences/mathematics major from Sherbrooke, Que. He started all 16 RSEQ games, playing an average 34.1 mpg. He hit 126-293 (.430) from the floor, 48-128 (.375) from the arc and 42-64 (.656) from the line, while garnering 125 boards, including 11 on the offensive glass and a 7.8 rpg, 33 fouls, 58 assists, 73 turnovers, 8 blocks, 18 steals and 342 points, for a 21.4 ppg. …………………………………………………… Bryce Corless (Holland), a 6-5 forward and sports & recreation major from Quispamsis, N.B. (and the University of Prince Edward Island). He started all 16 ACAA games he played, playing an average 31.8 mpg. He hit 118-257 (.459) from the floor, 37-107 (.346) from the arc and 49-63 (.778) from the line, while garnering 110 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass and 6.9 rpg, 36 fouls, 44 assists, 31 turnovers, a 1.4 asst/to ratio, 8 blocks, 39 steals and 322 points, for a 20.1 ppg. …………………………………………………… Jaydan Smith (Mount Saint Vincent), a 6-1 guard and general studies major from Beechville, N.S., was the ACAA player of the year. He started all 18 ACAA games, playing an average 32.9 mpg. He hit 109-288 (.378) from the floor, 52-158 (.329) from the arc and 37-43 (.860) from the line, while garnering 89 boards, including 14 on the offensive glass and a 4.9 rpg, 23 fouls, 83 assists, 30 turnovers, a 2.8 asst/to ratio, 2 blocks, 38 steals and 307 points, for a 17.1 ppg.