(FREDERICTON, NB) For the second consecutive season, the Atlantic University Sport men’s basketball Rookie of the Year is a UNB RED.
First-year guard Marcus Barnes was named AUS Rookie of the Year on Thursday, ahead of the AUS Basketball Championships, in Halifax.
“I am truly honour to win this award,” said Barnes. “I feel like I had a really successful rookie year, and I’m just grateful that my hard work and performance has been recognized.”
Barnes follows teammate Norm Burry, who was named the 2022 AUS Rookie of the Year.
This season, Burry was named an AUS 2nd Team All-Star while Barnes was also named to the conference’s All-Rookie Team.
“I’ve really enjoyed my first-year university experience at UNB,” said Barnes. “The program here, along with the culture, are things that I have really enjoyed and have contributed to my success.”
The 6’3” Barnes started 17 games for the REDS this past season and played in all 20 of the team’s regular season contests.
He led all AUS rookies in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game, along with 4.9 rebounds per game and 2.9 assists per game.
“Marcus is a special young player,” said REDS’ head coach Joe Salerno. “After seeing him live for the first time last spring, when we started the recruiting process, we knew he could make a big impact in his first season.”
“I plan to continue my hard work, and aim to help UNB to greater heights during my time here,” said Barnes. “I see this as a great beginning, and I cannot wait to keep up the work.”
Barnes now becomes the AUS nominee for the Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy as U SPORTS Rookie of the Year.
The only other UNB men’s basketball player to be named national Rookie of the Year was standout Javon Masters, who earned the honour in 2014.
“The experience Marcus got playing as much as he did this season is going to pay off in the long term,” said Coach Salerno. “We look forward to him continuing to be successful, not only as an athlete, but in the classroom as well. Hopefully, during his time at UNB, he can help us to an AUS title.”