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BUFFALO — The Canisius men’s basketball program recently announced its 2016-17 season team awards, which were presented April 6 at the team’s “End of the Year” banquet, which was held at Pearl Street Grill and Brewery.
The awards, which were formally presented by head coach Reggie Witherspoon, were voted on by the members of the team.
2016-17 Most Improved Player Award – Kiefer Douse
Senior guard Kiefer Douse was voted the team’s “Most Improved Player” for the 2016-17 season by his teammates. Douse played in all 34 games, where he made 33 starts, and he finished the year ranked fourth on the team in scoring average with 10.9 points per game. The Brampton, Ontario native ended up leading the MAAC in largest increase in scoring average, besting his 2015-16 scoring mark by 7.7 points per outing. He scored in double-figures 18 times during the season, highlighted by his career-high 22-point effort in the win at Saint Peter’s Feb. 6. Douse ended his senior campaign averaging 4.4 rebounds per game and he shot 50.2 percent from the field, which ranked eighth in the MAAC.
2016-17 Charles Eppolito “Unsung Hero” Award – Malike Johnson
Freshman guard Malik Johnson was named the Charles Eppolito “Unsung Hero” for the 2016-17 campaign. The first Canisius freshman in school history to start 34 games in a season, Johnson averaged 3.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in his first season in Canisius Blue and Gold. The native of Richmond, Virginia became the ninth freshman in program history to be named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team, and he ended his first season on Main Street ranked fourth in the conference with his 4.4 assists per game. His 148 total assists on the season rank as the most for a Canisius freshman since the 2006-07 season.
2016-17 Father Demske Academic Award – Spencer Foley
Freshman guard Spencer Foley was voted as the team’s 2016-17 Father Demske Academic Award winner. Foley boasts a grade point average of 3.75 as an undergraduate in the College’s sport management program. On the floor, Foley played 30 games where he averaged 4.0 points per game. He scored a career-high 15 points off the bench in a home win over Siena Jan. 2 and 29 of his 39 makes from the field came from 3-point range.
Canisius ended the 2016-17 season with an overall record of 18-16 to go with a 10-10 mark in MAAC play. The Griffs, who posted a winning season for the fourth time in five years, earned their fourth CIT appearance in March.
