Huskies win pair of CW awards
Stephon Lamar has nailed one last three to close out the season.
Lamar was named Canada West’s men’s basketball’s most valuable player Thursday. It’s the third straight year that a University of Saskatchewan point guard has won MVP, after Jamelle Barrett did so in 20011 and 2012.
Meanwhile, third- year Huskie Ben Baker — a versatile two-way guard — was named Canada West defensive player of the year.
“I’m happy that both those guys are getting recognized,” U of S head coach Barry Rawlyk said Thursday.
“It’s well deserved. Both of them, obviously, played vital roles in the whole team scheme this year.”
Lamar led the Canada West in scoring with 22.9 points per game and 59 three-pointers in his first CIS season after transferring from the California junior college ranks. Prior to that, he played one NCAA Div. I season at Pacific.
He finished second in CIS scoring and fifth in assists (105). He was also named a Canada West first-team allstar for his efforts.
Lamar, a six- foot- one, 175-pound guard from San Diego, scored 30 or more points in five of the 21 games he played this season, hitting the 40- and 37-point mark in the regular season.
He has two years of CIS eligibility remaining.
“Stephon has made a profound impact on our team in his first season in the Canada West,” Rawlyk said, adding that Lamar’s value as a leader should not be overlooked.
Lamar led the Huskies to a 16-6 conference record and top offence (85.7 points per game) in the Canada West.
Baker top defensive player
Turning heads in his third season to become defensive player of the year, the Aden Bowman product Baker takes pride in his defensive play.
“That’s kind of how I earned minutes and it kind of just became a requirement for me in order to play my first couple of years on the team.” Baker said Thursday. “It just kind of carried over from then.”
He called the CW nod “huge.”
“Obviously, I was pretty excited when I first heard and pretty surprised too.”
It didn’t surprise Rawlyk, though.
“No, really,” he said. “I’m happy for him. He’s a great competitor. The fact he’s able to get that recognition is really nice.”
Known across the Canada West for his grittiness and competitive spirit, Baker finished fifth in the conference with 47 steals and 13th in rebounds with 7.4 per game. The six-foot-three Saskatoon native accumulated 36 offensive rebounds and 127 defensive rebounds. He also helped the Huskies hold opponents to just 77.8 points per game.
Also a threat to score, Baker averaged 13.4 points per game to make an impact in all aspects.
“Sometimes you think of this reward of a defensive specialist, or whatever, but he’s truly a two-way player,” said Rawlyk, adding that Baker’s versatility allowed the Huskies to use him in every position on the floor as he successfully limited every opposing player he has been assigned to guard.
Baker, who has two years of CIS eligibility remaining, is eager to bounce back from this year’s disappointment.
“It’s kind of mixed emotions (winning the award) after the way we ended the season,” Baker said, adding that he would trade the trophy in for a spot in the Canada West Final Four.