Watson named AUS Defensive Player of Year

Defensive Player of the Year: Paul Watson, Cape Breton University

The Atlantic University Sport men's basketball defensive player of the year is 3^rd-year forward Paul Watson of Cape Breton University.

An Arts & Community Studies student from Mississauga, ON., Watson led the CAPERS with 9.3 rebounds per game which were good enough for 3^rd in the AUS. Watson was also third in the AUS with 2.1 steals per game. This is Watson's first AUS major award win and he is the third CAPER to win the defensive player of the year award. The 6'7 Watson follows Phil Nkrumah (08-09, 09-10 & 10-11) and Meshack Lufile (15-16) as the only CAPERS to win the award.  

Watson had this to say about winning the award, "It means a lot to win defensive player of the year and defence is always something I've taken pride in. I'm happy to win this award but the job isn't done yet."

Head Coach Matt Skinn said "Paul has proven himself to be an incredibly versatile defender in the AUS. With his length and athleticism, he is capable of guarding all positions on the floor. His numbers reflect his unique ability. As a league leader in rebounds, steals, assists and minutes, we rely on him every game to stuff the stat sheet and help in our pressure defence. Paul is an all-around student-athlete, excelling on and off the floor."

All-Star & All-Rookie Teams – Osman Omar, Paul Watson, Eugene Kankue & Ibrahim Gosselin-Diawara

2^nd-Year guard Osman Omar (Mississauga, ON) was named an AUS 1^st-Team All-star. Omar led the CAPERS & AUS in scoring with 21.9 points per game. Omar set a new single-season points record for CBU with 437 points. Omar also averaged 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Defensive player of the year Paul Watson was also named a 2^nd-Team AUS All-star. Watson averaged 9.8 points and 4 assists per game to go along with his outstanding defensive stats.

First-year players Ibrahim Gosselin-Diawara (Longueuil, QC) and Eugene Kankue (Ottawa, ON) were named to the AUS All-Rookie team.  Gosselin-Diawara averaged 8.3 points and 4 rebounds per game in his rookie campaign. Kankue averaged 11.6 points and 2.3 assists per game.

The CAPERS make their return to the AUS playoffs this weekend in Halifax. Watson said " We have our first playoff game on Friday and I couldn't be more excited. It's my first time in the playoffs, so I'm really looking forward to making some noise and putting people on notice about CBU."

When asked about what it means for CBU to be back in the playoffs Coach Skinn commented "We are excited about our opportunity to go to the AUS playoffs. I think the team is focused on the task at hand, and ready for the challenge that the tournament and our opponent presents. As a group, we will have to be prepared physically and mentally to give our best effort, and give our best game to StFX while enjoying the moment." 

The CAPERS first game is Friday at 6.30pm as they take on the St.Francis Xavier University X-Men.

2019 Subway AUS Men's Basketball Championship

Presented by G-Series

HOSTED BY ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SPORT
(at Scotiabank Centre)

TICKET INFORMATION:

Ticket packages go on sale Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 11 a.m.

Single session tickets go on sale Monday, February 25, 2019 at 11 a.m.

All tickets can be purchased by contacting the Ticket Atlantic Box Office at 902-451-1221 or visiting www.ticketatlantic.com.

MEN'S Ticket Package Prices (includes all 5 men's games):
 
Floor: $110.00
Adult: $80.00
Student/Senior: $45.00
Youth (12-under): $15.00

"SUPER" Ticket Package Prices (includes all 10 games - 5 men's AND 5 women's):
 
Floor: $160.00
Adult: $115.00
Student/Senior: $65.00
Youth (12-under): $25.00

For the women's championship ticket and schedule information, click here.

2019 MEN'S TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

Note: Seedings are based on the final regular season standings.