By Bilal Siddiqui
Fast starts, scorching scoring runs, and impressive individual performances highlight the Men’s OUA basketball season six weeks in. It was a wild first month, with four teams still undefeated, including three in a stacked OUA East. Players have ramped up the intensity and pace of play on the court in the early going – likely a product of last years phantom season.
With the holiday schedule freeze upon us, it’s a good time to check in on some individual performers who lit up the early part of the season. The season is still young, so expect some names to separate themselves as we enter the playoff and championship push in 2022. But with a third of the season wrapped up, we figured we’d spotlight the top ballers in the province who have set us up with a tasty MVP race down the stretch.
Honourable Mention:
Before we get to the five, we have a quick name we wanted to mention but couldn’t fit into our list.
Thomas Kennedy
School: Windsor Position: Forward Stats: 21.4 PPG (5th), 13.9 RPG (1st), 3.3 APG (18th), 1.6 BPG (8th), 53% FG (6th)
Kennedy is the most dominant big man in the OUA. As a rookie, he established his reputation as a board crasher, and is now on pace to lead the circuit two seasons in a row. But his offensive game took strides every season. He’s now well among the OUA leaders in points per game and even added some playmaking to his crafty skillset. Kennedy forms a strong veteran trio with Tesloth Simon and Shakael Pryce. They’ll look to navigate Windsor past a rough early season skid as they enter the playoff push.
And now, without any further delay, lets get into this list.
Omar Shiddo
School: Western Position: Guard Stats: 29.7 PPG (1st), 2.8 RPG, 4.7 APG (6th), 40% FG (20th), 33% 3PT (9th)
The Mustangs down-to-the wire heartbreaker vs Lakehead might have killed the vibe entering the festive break, but it shouldn’t distract anyone from the blistering scoring run Omar Shiddo is on right now. Pacing the OUA with a staggering 29.7 PPG, Shiddo unlocks his offensive potential with consistent shooting and a hunger to score. He currently leads the OUA in three-point attempts per game. He makes them at a top-10 rate too. His range creates space for teammates and keeps Western’s offence afloat.
Shiddo’s leadership and veteran experience is critical to this young Western team. With so many rookies and fresh faces tasting OUA spotlight for the first time, Shiddo comfortably handles scoring and playmaking responsibilities. Even with the talented Tyson Dunn as his teammate, Shiddo finds himself near the top of the OUA for assists per game (both he and Dunn are 6th and 4th respectively). The combo guard’s advanced skillset and vision is amplified by his deadly three-point shot, as he regularly finds teammates for easy looks if he can’t find them himself.
The Brampton native will need to maintain his offensive ascent to capture the MVP. Despite many strong opponents in the OUA this season, Shiddo’s scoring splurge gets more noticeable by the week.
Ali Sow
School: Laurier Position: Guard Stats: 27.3 PPG (2nd), 6.0 RPG (25th), 4.8 APG (5th), 2.0 SPG (T9th), 46% FG (14th), 40% 3pt (4th)
An MVP level player must handle expectations, and Ali Sow’s ledger isn’t short of them. Selected 4th overall by the Ottawa BlackJacks of the CEBL in the 2021 U SPORTS Draft, the Ottawa native made his name as a lethal perimeter threat. He finished 2nd in OUA scoring two seasons in a row.
This season, he’s picked up where he left off, once again sitting near the top of OUA scoring. But his all-around game has taken another step this season, with the veteran laden Laurier team relying on his playmaking and board crashing from the point guard position to influence games during a tough early season schedule.
A matchup with currently undefeated Brock didn’t phase Sow, who dropped casual 30 bombs in back-to-back games. His first double-double of the season at Windsor probably had CEBL evaluators giddy on his future development. He took over the game offensively, finishing with 31 points, 10 assists and eight boards in a dominant road victory. But it’s his comfort with the ball in his hands that makes the point guard an ideal leader for this Golden Hawks squad.
Jordan Henry
School: McMaster Position: Guard Stats: 22.7 PPG (3rd) 3.3 RPG , 5.5 APG (2nd), 1.8 SPG (T17th), 54% FG (5th)
Is Jordan Henry the most exciting player in the OUA? That’s obviously debatable, but it’s easy to make an argument after watching him play. Henry single-handedly makes McMaster a contender, as he’s the only player in the OUA sitting top-three in points and assists per game (although Ali Sow and Omar Shiddo are close behind).
Henry’s exudes elegance and confidence on the court, and McMaster relies on his ball dominant style to keep the offence humming. He’s an intuitive passer, as he rarely makes mistakes despite his creative skillset. This has McMaster leading the circuit in turnover margin in the early going. Those things can add up down the line, and lead to wins in tightly contested playoff games.
His performance to start the year was truly impressive, shaking off a stomach-turning one-point loss to Lakehead by dropping 32 the next night in a double-digit victory. It’s the coolness he displays on the court that makes the Pickering, ON native’s game pop off at first glance. A truly gifted offensive weapon, Marauder fans should be tuning in for every home game this winter to watch one of the OUA’s best point guards do work.
Lloyd Pandi
School: Carleton Position: Forward Stats: 18.7 PPG (11th), 9.7 RPG (4th), 2.7 APG (25th), 2.0 SPG (T9th), 60% FG (1st)
Where else will you find MVP candidates than at Carleton? It’s back to business for the Ravens where shades of their unbeaten run from 2016-2018 incentivizes their 6-0 start this season. It’s Lloyd Pandi leading the way this time, with the local kid gathering national attention with Carleton’s powerhouse influence.
Pandi suited up for the Niagara River Lions in the 2021 CEBL season, averaging 7.6 PPG en route to being named the leagues 2021 U SPORTS Player of the Year. His versatility is what sets him apart on Carleton’s talented roster – Pandi is top 25 in nearly every offensive and defensive category this season. Basketball IQ is integral to Carleton’s system, and Pandi flourishes with a disciplined offensive approach and smart shot selection. His absurd 60% success rate from the field leads the OUA. He becomes a menace from the wing, especially when he activates his underrated playmaking and ball handling skills. This is all without breaking the Ravens’ top ranked defensive system.
Carleton will continue to lean on Lloyd Pandi as they start 2022 with a massive (and must see) game versus the undefeated Ottawa Gee-Gees, their crosstown rivals.
Cole Syllas
School: Queen’s Position: Guard Stats: 21.4 PPG (6th), 8.2 RPG (5th), 3.4 APG (17th), 1.4 BPG (9th), 2.0 SPG (T9th), 50% FG (10th)
Truly was a shame that Cole Syllas’ rookie season was cut short by the pandemic. The Queen’s Gaels’ towering point guard has emerged from underrated to star player. His dominance of the stat sheet has led to dominance on the court for Queen’s, who enjoy their first 5-0 start since 2016.
Luckily, the long layoff proved inconsequential for arguably the most well-rounded point guard in the OUA this season. While Syllas offensive numbers across the board range from very good to elite, where he really separates himself is on the defensive side. Never mind the massive frame for a point guard, making him a defensive mismatch for virtually every opponent, he’s viscously productive too. Syllas is top 10 in both blocks and steals, and when you add that to a gifted floor general, his play style becomes a headache for opposing coaches to game plan against.
The schedule picks up from here, so Queen’s hopes ride with his 2-way game. The curtains for the Cole Syllas show will continue to rise if the Gaels’ continues their ascent this season and share the spotlight with the likes of Carleton and Ottawa.
There’s still plenty of time for someone on this list (or even someone not on this list) to separate themselves and become the true MVP front runner. But the OUA is ripe with pressing talents and title contending challengers. Considering a few guys only have a handful of opportunities left to make noise at this level, it will likely be a photo finish to 2022. For the playoffs, and the MVP.
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