2024 ACAC Women's Basketball Players of the Year
Edmonton, AB (February 29, 2024) –
North Female Player of the Year | Hineaupounamu Nuku | Lakeland Rustlers:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Hineaupounamu Nuku of the Lakeland Rustlers has been selected as the 2023 - 2024 ACAC Women’s Basketball North Division Player of the Year.
Nuku spearheaded the Lakeland Rustlers to an impeccable 20-0 season, showcasing her talents as the starting point guard. Averaging 14.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.8 steals per game, she dominated the court. Leading the ACAC in total assists, assists per game, and assist-to-turnover ratio, Nuku's impact was undeniable. She started all 20 games, playing an average of 27.2 minutes per game while also tasked with defending the opposing team's top players.
"Throughout the season, Hineaupounamu has been a dynamic playmaker, pivotal to our team's success," remarked Chris King, Lakeland’s head coach. "Her vibrant energy and magnetic personality infuse every gym session with excitement. Her growth in her freshman season has been remarkable."
Hailing from Tauranga, New Zealand, Nuku is currently pursuing a Business Administration diploma at Lakeland. Her basketball pedigree includes captaining New Zealand's U15 Oceanic team and earning an All-Star 5 designation at the FIBA Oceania Championships Tournament in 2018.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Women’s Basketball Championship hosted by St. Mary’s University in Calgary, AB. The Player of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Basketball Alberta.
South Female Player of the Year | Sandra Garcia-Bernal | Red Deer Queens:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Sandra Garcia-Bernal of the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens has been selected as the 2023-2024 ACAC Women’s Basketball South Player of the Year.
Garcia-Bernal had a remarkable season for the RDP Queens, playing effective basketball at both ends of the court. The five-foot-six guard tied for the team lead with 11.4 points per game. This season, she recorded an incredible 130 steals, which ranked first. Over her five year basketball career, Garcia-Bernal accumulated 406 steals, which is the most in ACAC Women’s Basketball history. NAIT’s Shea-Lynn Noyes, who played from 2012-2017, is second with a total of 350 steals.
“Sandra is very deserving of the ACAC Women’s Basketball South Player of the Year Award. She has been a leader for the Queens on and off the court,” says Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life. “Sandra has demonstrated incredible talent and a level of hard work that has been rarely matched. As she graduates from the RDP Queens Basketball program, Sandra has established high standards for future student-athletes to follow. She will be missed.”
Garcia-Bernal averaged 33.9 minutes per game and was relied on in all situations. The Educational Assistant student shot 44.3% from the field, 27.8% from three-point range and 81% from the free-throw line. She also contributed 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
The student-athlete from Valencia, Spain helped to lead the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (17-4) to second place in the ACAC Women’s Basketball South Division during the regular season.
With an opportunity to advance to the Women’s Final Four Basketball Tournament, the RDP Queens had a tremendous second half against the St. Mary’s University Lightning, but they couldn’t fully close the gap in the playoffs. Garcia-Bernal gave the Queens an opportunity to win. She led both teams with 23 points and five steals.
Garcia-Bernal was also named to the ACAC Women’s Basketball First All-Conference team.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2024 ACAC Women’s basketball Championship hosted by St. Mary’s Lightning in Calgary, Alberta. The Player of the Year award is proudly sponsored by Basketball Alberta.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Alan Rogan, Lakeland Rustlers
Athletic Director
780-853-8405
Alan.Rogan@lakelandcollege.ca
Randy Stewart, Red Deer Athletics
Manager, Athletics and Student Life
403-342-3449
randy.stewart@rdpolytech.ca
Kayla Blacquiere, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca