Feb. 27, 2025 - Canada West has announced its 2024-25 men's and women's basketball all-star and all-rookie team selections which includes a number of Manitobans who had outstanding seasons.
The all-star unveil celebrates another year of incredible performances by student-athletes on the hardcourt, as the conference gears up for "final four" semifinal games this upcoming weekend.
The women's semifinals will feature No. 4 Fraser Valley at No. 1 Saskatchewan and No. 3 Alberta visiting No. 2 UBC.
On the men's side, No. 1 Victoria hosts No. 4 Calgary while No. 2 Manitoba welcomes No. 3 UBC.
The conference will announce its major award recipients for basketball on Thursday, March 7.
WBB | Belmore, Grassick repeat as first team all-stars
A pair of Saskatchewan based standouts headline the women's first team, with both Jade Belmore (Regina) and Gage Grassick (Saskatchewan) named Canada West all-stars for the third straight season.
Belmore, who is the reigning CW Player of the Year, earned her third straight first team nod after another dynamic campaign. She led the conference in scoring for the second straight year while averaging a stellar 19.4 points-per-game, the fourth highest mark in the nation. Grassick was close behind with 18.4 PPG while also leading CW in assists-per-game (6.0) and 3-PT percentage (41.4%). It's Grassick's second consecutive first team honour.
UBC's Mona Berlitz was also named to the first team after an explosive offensive season where she was fourth in conference scoring with 16.6 PPG. The forward from Schrobenhausen, Germany led UBC to an 18-2 record and top spot in the Pacific Division, building on her second team all-star nod last year.
Sharp shooting Alberta guard Annacy Palmer was recognized with a first team nod after helping lead the Pandas to an 18-2 record. Always a threat from beyond the arc, Palmer was third in the conference with a 39.8% 3PT pct.
Rounding out the first team was Fraser Valley's Julia Tuchscherer. An all-rookie team member in 2022, Tuchscherer earns her first all-star nod after an impactful season at both ends of the court. She led the conference with 34 blocks while also finishing third in FG percentage (53.5%).
The second team was comprised of Abigail Becker (Victoria), Myriam Kone (Calgary), Maddy Gobeil (UFV), Logan Reider (Saskatchewan), and Olivia Weekes (UBC) (from Manitoba). Becker led the conference in rebounds-per-game (10.6), while Kone was fifth in conference scoring after averaging 16.1 PPG. It's the third straight all-star nod for Gobeil and the second for Weekes.
Earning third team nods were Claire Signatovich (Alberta) (from Manitoba), Mya Proctor (Calgary), Shemaiah Abatayo (Trinity Western), Cara Misskey (Regina) and Nora Luca (Mount Royal). It's the fourth straight all-star nod for Signatovich, who is the two-time reigning CW Defensive Player of the Year. Abatayo was second in conference assists with 90, while Misskey was fourth with 74. Luca was unstoppable on the glass, bringing down the second most rebounds 187 boards.
The future of the conference shines bright with five talented freshman honoured on the All-Rookie team. UBC's Keira Daly was a key piece for the Thunderbirds offence while averaging 15.8 PPG, the seventh highest mark in the conference. Regina's Izzi Fust (from Manitoba) asserted herself as a game breaker for the Cougars, including hitting a memorable game winning three against Mount Royal back in November. Tsuki Tsuzuki (UBCO), Colette Van der Hoven (TWU) and Darya Rom (Manitoba) rounded out the all-rookie nods.
MBB | Offensive stars highlight first all-star team
There's no shortage of offensive flare in this year's first team selections, led by Calgary's Nate Petrone, who received his second straight first team honour. The heart-and-soul of the Dinos offence led the entire nation with 484 points in 20 games, averaging a conference best 24.2 PPG while shooting over 56% from the field.
Brandon's Sultan Haider Bhatti made the jump to the first team after being a second team all-star last year. The Laval product was second in conference scoring with 20.4 PPG and led the Bobcats to a miraculous late season push to the playoffs.
Manitoba's Mason Kraus earned his second CW all-star nod, placing on the first team for the first time after leading the 16-4 Bisons to the top of the Prairie Division. He was joined on the first team by UBC's Adam Olsen, who enjoyed a fantastic sophomore season after being named to the all-rookie team a year ago.
The undefeated Victoria Vikes landed two all-stars, led by first team selection Renoldo Robinson. The Montreal native was a handful for opposing teams at both end of the court, picking up 43 steals (4th most in CW) and putting back 15.3 PPG. Teammate Ethan Boag was a second team selection.
Winnipeg's Shawn Maranan earned his third straight second team all-star nod, joined on the team by first time all-stars Dario Lopez (UFV), Isaac Simon (Alberta) and Josh "Juice" Belvin (Trinity Western).
The third team was comprised of Noah Wharton (Calgary), Keivonte Watts (Mount Royal), Nikola Guzina (UBC), Jerric Palma (Trinity Western) and Angelo Mbituyimana (Lethbridge). It's the third career CW all-star nod for Wharton, and the second for Watts.
The Alberta Golden Bears placed two on the all-rookie team with Kyle Varner and Nash Semuniuk being recognized. The pair were instant impact makers for the Bears, finishing second and third on the team in points-per-game, respectively. UNBC's Isaiah Bias jumped right into the T-Wolves lineup and averaged over 22 minutes per game while placing fourth on the team in points-per-game. Diego Presingular (MacEwan) and Nylan Roberts (UBC) rounded out the all-rookie team.
Anticipation builds for final four showdowns
Four can't miss semifinal games are on tap for CW hoops fans to enjoy this weekend.
The women's bracket will feature No. 1 Saskatchewan hosting No. 4 UFV in a rematch of last year's semifinal. No. 2 UBC will welcome No. 3 Alberta in the other semi in what should be a barn burner.
On the men's side, No. 1 Victoria looks to continue their undefeated season at home against No. 4 Calgary, while No. 2 Manitoba welcomes No. 3 UBC to Winnipeg (Saturday at 7:00 pm at UM IGAC) for a semifinal showdown.
Keep up to date with all the action, with playoff schedule, recaps and highlights available by visiting WinTheWest.ca.
Fans can ensure they don't miss a moment of the action by streaming all matches on Canada West TV - Powered by BioSteel.
Canada West Women's Basketball All-Star and All-Rookie Teams
2024-25 CW Women's Basketball - First Team All-Stars
Jade Belmore / Wing / Regina Cougars / 4th Year / Regina, Sask.
Mona Berlitz / Forward / UBC Thunderbirds / 3rd Year / Schrobenhausen, Germany
Gage Grassick / Guard / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4th Year / Prince Albert, Sask.
Annacy Palmer / Guard / Alberta Pandas / 3rd Year / Edmonton, Alta.
Julia Tuchscherer / Forward / Fraser Valley Cascades / 4th Year / Chilliwack, B.C.
2024-25 CW Women's Basketball - Second Team All-Stars
Abigail Becker / Centre / Victoria Vikes / 4th Year / Parksville, B.C.
Maddy Gobeil / Guard / Fraser Valley Cascades / 5th Year / Kamloops, B.C.
Myriam Kone / Guard / Calgary Dinos / 3rd Year / Edmonton, Alta.
Logan Reider / Guard / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3rd Year / Saskatoon, Sask.
Olivia Weekes / Guard / UBC Thunderbirds / 4th Year / Winnipeg, Man.
2024-25 CW Women's Basketball - Third Team All-Stars
Shemaiah Abatayo / Guard / Trinity Western Spartans / 4th Year / Vancouver, B.C.
Nora Luca / Forward / Mount Royal Cougars / 4th Year / Calgary, Alta.
Cara Misskey / Guard / Regina Cougars / 4th Year / Warman, Sask.
Mya Proctor / Guard / Calgary Dinos / 5th Year / Calgary, Alta.
Claire Signatovich / Forward / Alberta Pandas / 5th Year / Winnipeg, Man.
2024-25 CW Women's Basketball - All-Rookie Team
Keira Daly / Guard / UBC Thunderbirds / 1st Year / Hamilton, Ont.
Izzi Fust / Forward / Regina Cougars / 1st Year / Winnipeg, Man.
Darya Rom / Guard / Manitoba Bisons / 1st Year / Winnipeg, Man.
Tsuki Tsuzuki / Guard / UBC Okanagan Heat / 1st Year / Calgary, Alta.
Colette Van der Hoven / Guard / Trinity Western Spartans / 1st Year / Maple Ridge, B.C.
Canada West Men's Basketball All-Star and All-Rookie Teams
2024-25 CW Men's Basketball - First Team All-Stars
Sultan Haider Bhatti / Forward / Brandon Bobcats / 4th Year / Laval, Que.
Mason Kraus / Guard / Manitoba Bisons / 4th Year / Winnipeg, Man.
Adam Olsen / Guard/Forward / UBC Thunderbirds / 2nd Year / Surrey, B.C.
Nate Petrone / Guard / Calgary Dinos / 4th Year / Calgary, Alta.
Renoldo Robinson / Guard / Victoria Vikes / 3rd Year / Montreal, Que.
2024-25 CW Men's Basketball - Second Team All-Stars
Josh Belvin / Guard / Trinity Western Spartans / 5th Year / Long Beach, Calif.
Ethan Boag / Forward / Victoria Vikes / 4th Year / Victoria, B.C.
Dario Lopez / Forward / Fraser Valley Cascades / 4th Year / Madrid, Spain
Shawn Maranan / Guard / Winnipeg Wesmen / 5th Year / Winnipeg, Man.
Isaac Simon / Guard / Alberta Golden Bears / 3rd Year / Regina, Sask.
2024-25 CW Men's Basketball - Third Team All-Stars
Nikola Guzina / Forward / UBC Thunderbirds / 4th Year / Vancouver, B.C.
Angelo Mbituyimana / Guard / Lethbridge Pronghorns / 5th Year / Calgary, Alta.
Jerric Palma / Guard / Trinity Western Spartans / 5th Year / Richmond, B.C.
Keivonte Watts / Guard / Mount Royal Cougars / 5th Year / Utica, N.Y.
Noah Wharton / Guard / Calgary Dinos / 5th Year / Brampton, Ont.
2024-25 CW Men's Basketball - All-Rookie Team
Isaiah Bias / Guard / UNBC Timberwolves / 1st Year / Vancouver, B.C.
Diego Presingular / Guard / MacEwan Griffins / 1st Year / Winnipeg, Man.
Nylan Roberts / Forward / UBC Thunderbirds / 1st Year / Abbotsford, B.C.
Nash Semeniuk / Guard / Alberta Golden Bears / 1st Year / Kelowna, B.C.
Kyle Varner / Guard / Alberta Golden Bears / 1st Year / Munich, Germany