HALIFAX — Carleton guard Connor Wood took home the 2017 U SPORTS men’s basketball Player of the Year award on Wednesday night.
A fifth-year native out of Guelph, Wood became the fifth player in Ravens history to take home the award, and first since the 2013-14 season. He was also named U SPORTS Championship MVP in the 2016 tournament.
Other major award winners were Ottawa’s Caleb Agada (Defensive Player of the Year), Laurentian’s Kadre Gray (Rookie of the Year) Carleton’s Dave Smart (Coach of the Year) and Dalhousie’s Kashrell Lawrence (Student-Athlete Community Service award winner).
Mike Moser Memorial Trophy (Player of the Year): Connor Wood, Carleton
Wood put up a career-high 19.2 points per game this season, while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor. He was also second in the nation in three-pointers, with 76, while his 50.3 percent conversation rate from the perimeter ranked third.
During his time at Carleton, Wood has won four national championships while being named a tournament all-star twice.
Wood was humble during his acceptance speech, acknowledging his teammates, coaches and family as contributors to his success.
Defensive Player of the Year: Caleb Agada, Ottawa
Agada took home the award for a second consecutive season after ranking third in the nation in steals, with 49. He also averaged 6.4 rebounds per game. A fifth-year wing, he finished his career with 578 rebounds and 1137 points in regular season play.
Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Kadre Gray, Laurentian
With his acceptance, Gray became the first Voyageurs rookie to be honoured at the national lever since the inception of the Rookie of the Year award in 1987-88.
The talented guard finished second in the country in total points, as well as free throws made and was ranked in the top 10 in field goals made, with 141.
Stuart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy (Coach of the Year): Dave Smart, Carleton
Smart took home the award for an eighth time, and fifth time in the past eight years. The Ravens held the country’s top ranking for all 14 U SPORTS polls, winning by an average of 33.4 points per game.
Smart took the time to acknowledge his fellow head coaches during his acceptance speech
“For those who are coaching at this level [U SPORTS], I know I look at all of you with unbelievable respect, because I know you’re doing it for the right reasons, you’re in the sport for the right reasons, and you’re doing it for the kids and the student athletes and their future.”
Ken Shields Award (Student-Athlete Community Service): Kashrell Lawrence, Dalhousie
Lawrence, a fifth-year forward, has served as a captain of the Tigers for the past three seasons. He is also vice president of Dalhousie’s varsity council.
Along with the above, he is a strong advocate for mental health and is member of the Tiger’s executive team for SAMHI—the Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative.
Lawrence had a message for the next generation of varsity athletes during his acceptance speech.
“To young athletes, get involved, show your face, it doesn’t take too much time and it means that much,” he said, making a large gesture.
2017 U SPORTS Men’s Basketball First Team All-Canadians:
- Guard Connor Wood, fifth year, Carleton
- Guard Conor Morgan, four-year UBC
- Guard Adika Peter-McNeilly, fifth-year Ryerson
- Forward Kevin Bercy, fourth-year, StFX
- Guard Thomas Cooper, fifth-year, Calgary
2017 U SPORTS Men’s Basketball Second Team All-Canadians:
- Guard Kaza Kajami-Keane, fifth-year, Carleton
- Guard Dele Ogundokun, fourth-year, McGill
- Guard Javon Masters, fourth-year, UNB
- Guard Caleb Agada, fifth-year, Ottawa
- Forward Shane Osayande, fourth-year, Saskatchewan
All-Rookie Team
- Guard Kadre Gray, Laurentian
- Forward Eddie Ekiyor, Carleton
- Guard Scott Kellum, Victoria
- Forward Jamaal Potopsingh, UNB
- Guard Kendrick Jolin, McGill
