By David Kent. The University of the Fraser Valley’s Sam Freeman, fifth year guard from Coquitlam, BC has been named the 2012-13 Male University Outstand player by Basketball British Columbia. Freeman was honored at the organizations’ annual Hall of Fame and Awards Gala, at the Langley Events Centre this past Saturday night (April 20th).
Freeman who was named to the 2013 Canada West men’s basketball first all-star team, was the heart and soul of the men’s basketball team, along with Kyle Grewal, Surrey, BC, Freeman has grown each year alongside the program, from the team’s first post season berth in 2010 to their second straight Canada West “Final Four” this past March at UBC. Freeman has been a vital part of the Cascades success from his rookie year to his senior year where he has burst onto the scene leading UFV in scoring in 13 of the 24 regular season games. The Arts major led UFV in scoring with a 21.2 points per game, second best in Canada West. The veteran broke the school single game scoring mark on January 18th (2013) when he scored 41 points against the University of Calgary, in an 88-84 loss. The previous single game mark was set by Grewal, when he scored 35 points against the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men in the CIS national championship bronze medal match, last March, in Halifax.
Freeman started 20 of the Cascades 22 games this season recording 103 rebounds, 36 assists and 26 steals. His clutch three point shots earned him a 41 percent rating as he made 70 of 170 attempts. His 3.2 average per game was tops in Canada West. Freeman is UFV all-time leading scorer with 1,611 career points, 15th on Canada West’s all-time leaders list. Sam is second all-time in Canada West with 252 career three point baskets and seventh with an average of 2.239 three point baskets per game.
“I am very happy Sam was selected by BC Basketball selection committee,” commented Adam Friesen, UFV Head coach. “All year long he has been dependable and his leadership on the court has been nothing short of amazing.”
Aieisha Luyken, a fourth year guard from Mission, BC was a finalist for the BC Female University Outstanding Player. She led the Cascades in scoring with 294 points for a 13.4 point per game average. The veteran Kinesiology major led UFV in assists with 100, steals with 52 and recorded 77 total rebounds. Aieisha averaged 30 minutes per night while starting 21 of the 22 regular season games. Luyken was selected to the Canada West women’s basketball “Elite 10” all-star team. Luyken joins Samantha Hill (2007-08) and Tessa Klassen (2011-12), as Cascades that have been selected to the Canada West all-star team.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Simon Fraser University Clan was the recipient of the outstanding female basketball player award.
Cascade Media Note: The UFV Cascades Athletics Department and Cascade Family would like to congratulate Coach Allison McNeill on her induction into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame. Coach McNeill has been a friend of UFV and the Cascades holding her last three Team Canada spring camps at Envision Athletic Centre. The Cascade fans often see Allison and Mike at their Canada West games at the Envision Athletic Centre. Congrats Allison.
Photo Credit: Tree Frog Imaging
For further information on BC Basketball’s Hall of Fame and Awards Gala contact Lawrie Johns, Executive Director, 604-455-2812 email: ljohns@basketball.bc.ca