The OUA announced its men's basketball All-Stars for the 2010-11 season ahead of this weekend's Wilson Cup OUA Final. For the uOttawa Gee-Gees, it was third-year guard Warren Ward, London, Ont., first-year guard Johnny Berhanemeskel, Ottawa, Ont., and fifth-year forward Nemanja Baletic, Ottawa, Ont., all receiving an all-star nod.
Warren Ward led the Gee-Gees in scoring with 16.80 points per game. Despite a slow start to the season and a hamstring injury, Warren was able to return to the form that secured him as a First-Team All-Star this season, and a Second-Team All-Star selection last season. In his last five games of the regular season, Ward averaged a cool 23.2 points per game, including a career-best 41 points at Toronto on February 12, 2011.
"Warren's progress as the season's gone on has been pretty remarkable. I just couldn't be happier with that. Anyone who has been to our games has seen a total transformation in his effort defensively, his effort on the glass and his willingness to pass the ball and share with his teammates. He's been a leader and I am thrilled we have him for another two years," said head coach James Derouin of Warren's First-Team All-Star selection.
Johnny Berhanemeskel is without question the best rookie to ever suit up for the garnet and grey. The Ottawa native was selected to the OUA All-Rookie Team and eclipsed a number of Gee-Gees records this season including most points by a rookie (352), most three-pointers by a rookie (66), and highest scoring average by a rookie (16 PPG).
"He's part of one of the rarest rookie classes probably in OUA history where you have three rookies that would win Rookie of the Year any other year. I still consider him a rookie of the year, he's just so coachable and just does what he's told, and that's how it is with Johnny, it's been great. He's already an established scorer and star in this league, and a guy we have for four more years and that's very exciting for us," said Derouin.
Lastly, fifth-year forward Nemanja Baletic, Ottawa, Ont., is the OUA East recipient of the Ken Shields Award, awarded to the player who demonstrates outstanding achievement on the court, in the classroom, and community involvement. The Human Kinetics Master student generously donates his time and energy to various worthwhile causes here in Ottawa from working with kids at Roger's House to being a health and physical activity consultant with The Ottawa Hospital's On Track program.
Derouin remains forever impressed with Nemanja's ability to balance life and basketball: "It's amazing that he is able to do all that. His time management and commitment to those other things besides basketball make him special. His nomination is well deserved and his resume speaks for itself. Having a student-athlete like that representing the University of Ottawa and our team is pretty cool because really that's what it's all about."
Derouin finished by saying that he is very proud of these three players and believes it is testament to their successes as a team.
2010-11 OUA MEN'S BASKETBALL MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
East Player of the Year
Tyson Hinz - Carleton
East Rookie of the Year
Phil Scrubb - Carleton
East Defensive Player of the Year
Cole Hobin - Carleton
East Ken Shield Award
Nemanja Baletic - Ottawa
East Coach of the Year
Dave Smart - Carleton
East First Team All-Stars
Tyson Hinz - Carleton
Warren Ward - Ottawa
Cole Hobin - Carleton
Andrew Wasik - Toronto
Jahmal Jones - Ryerson
East Second Team All-Stars
Drazen Glisic - Toronto
Phil Scrubb - Carleton
Dejan Kravic - York
Dan Bannister - Queen's
Elliot Thompson - Carleton
East All Rookie Team
Phil Scrubb - Carleton
Johnny Berhanemeskel - Ottawa
Jahmal Jones - Ryerson
Jordon Gautier - Ryerson
Nikola Misljencevic - Queen's
