By RENALDO DORSETT
Tribune Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
HEADED into his senior season, Trevon Grant looks to emerge as a leader for the Acadia Axemen basketball programme.
Through six preseason contests thus far, Grant has averaged 12 points and 5.8 rebounds per game to lead the Axemen to a 4-2 record in exhibition play.
The 6'2 guard opened preseason play with a 10-point, 11-rebound double double in a 96-87 win over McMaster University. He also scored 17 points in a 95-83 win over McGill and added 15 points and seven rebounds in a win over Bishop's Gaiters.
The Axemen close out the preseason Thursday against the Nipissing Lakers and tip off the regular season November 4.
They finished 2-1 in both preseason tournaments, the Calgary Cup and House Laaughton Tournaments respectively.
Grant appeared in 16 games last season, with six starts. He averaged 10.6 points per game on 42 per cent shooting from the field and 42 per cent from three-point range. He also averaged 6.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.
In January, Grant had a streak of three consecutive games with at least 20 points and also posted four double doubles.
Prior to Acadia, Grant played two seasons with the Holland Hurricanes, culminating in an integral role in the programme's back-to-back ACAA championships.
His lengthy résumé at Holland includes being named the 2015-16 ACAA men's basketball player of the year and first team All-Canadian in the CCAA. At the Hurricane's Athletic Awards Banquet, he was also named the 2015-16 Holland College Male Athlete of the Year.
During the offseason, he detailed the advantages of Canadian collegiate basketball in an interview with Tribune Sports.
"Unlike the United States where there is a lot more competition because a lot of the guys are going straight to the NBA, in Canada we have some good talent and a lot of competition. I know in the US you can only play one year and you go right into the NBA.
"The good thing in Canada is that you have the option of playing for five years and then you're done. So anytime you think you're ready, you can leave and play pro. But at least they give you five years of eligibility in school, which allows you time to develop your skills before you move on."
Acadia eventually lost in the semi-final of the Atlantic university Sport Championships in a hard fought 78-75 decision to the Dalhousie Tigers.
Grant said he looked forward to making a contribution towards their successful run at the national tournament this time around.
"We have all of the pieces that we need to win. Our starting five is good and I know that I can come off the bench and help out as well. That is what they are looking for me to do when we get back next year."
He advised other aspiring Bahamian basketball players to explore Canada and not be as single minded on the United States.
"This is a better chance for players like us, who the coaches in the United States have not given us a chance to play for them, to go to Canada and perform," Grant said. "The competition over there is extremely good, so it's a plus too. So I would encourage more Bahamians to go for it."
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