Acadia basketball forward named to Team Canada

Owen Klassen
Owen Klassen

Acadia University today congratulated third-year kinesiology student Owen Klassen for being named to Canada’s men’s basketball team set to compete at this year’s 26th Summer Universiade, August 12 - 23 in Shenzhen, China. Klassen, from Kingston, ON, was the Acadia Axemen’s varsity basketball leading scorer and honoured as the team’s most valuable player this past season.

“Acadia University is very proud of Owen’s accomplishments with the Axemen, realized by this tremendous honour,” said Kevin Dickie, Acadia’s Director of Athletics. “Owen truly exemplifies all of the outstanding qualities any CIS university would hope for in their student-athletes, on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.”

This past season, Klassen was third overall in scoring in the Atlantic University Sport men’s basketball conference with an 18.3 points per game average and captured the rebounding title with an average of 9.6 rebounds per game. Owen also recorded a conference high 37 blocks in 20 games. Named as an AUS second team All-Star, the 6’ 10’’ forward led the Axemen to the conference final and a berth in the CIS Final Eight.

Klassen will be joining top university players from across Canada, including the reigning CIS most valuable male athlete, Tysen Hinz, from the CIS champion team Carleton Ravens. Klassen’s inclusion on the team makes him one of the top 12 men playing university basketball in the country. Off the court, Klassen is an excellent student and is a community volunteer with projects such as Camp Triumph, a camp for children with a sibling or parent with a chronic illness or disability started by former Acadia varsity basketball player Jordan Sheriko.

“This is a testament to the hard work and countless hours Owen has put in,” said Stephen Baur, head coach of Acadia’s men’s basketball team. “Owen is a wonderful ambassador for Acadia University and will be for Canada as well.  His work ethic, personality, and character have allowed him to excel in all aspects of life.  The Acadia family is looking forward to watching him represent Canada this summer.”

"It's exciting to get a chance to join some of the country’s best players in representing Canada at the international level,” said Klassen. “I have been waiting for this opportunity for awhile and I'm planning to make the most of it. I appreciate the support of Acadia University as well as my family and friends that have helped me achieve this."

About Acadia
Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s premier post-secondary institutions. With its nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate research initiatives, small classes, and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers students an experience that includes academic achievement combined with personal growth and development. Acadia also offers distance learning, certificate programs, language training and other university extension programs through Open Acadia. For more information about Acadia University, visit our website at www.acadiau.ca.

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