UPEI’s Deontay (D.J.) Smith named CIS Rookie of the Year

UPEI's Deontay (D.J.) Smith was named Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Rookie of the Year today in an official release by the CIS. Smith will be presented with the Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy-CIS Rookie of the Year at the All-Canadians Awards Presentation on March 9 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Smith, a native of North Preston, Nova Scotia is the first UPEI athlete to receive the honour and only the second from the AUS conference. Smith also received a nod to the all-rookie All-Canadian team and was dubbed the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Rookie of the Year for the 2012-13 season during the conference banquet held on February 28 in Halifax.

The UPEI guard finished fifth in league scoring with 17.3 points per game and started all 20 games. He was also named an AUS first team all-star, finished second in the conference for assists (4.4 per game) and seventh in league rebounding with seven per game. He reached double figures in 18 of 20 games this season, including eight 20-plus point efforts.

'We are very proud of D.J. for receiving the AUS Rookie of the Year award, but adding the CIS national award is a step greater and such a thrill for him and the team,' said Tim Kendrick, UPEI Head Coach. 'For UPEI to have a player like D.J. as part of the men's basketball team, it's a true honour. He's a real tribute to himself, he's a great basketball player, and a fine young man.'

UPEI congratulates D.J. on this impressive national award!