Sports

Facing bigger, faster, and stronger competition in the ultra-competitive Canada West men’s basketball league,  UBC Okanagan Heat coach Semeniuk has paired his 6’8” recruit, Julian Asselstine, with a 6’9” 225lbs post out of Brentwood College.

Ben Hindson, a dual sport athlete (basketball and rugby), has decided not to follow in the footsteps of both his brother and father, and has decided to play basketball.

Photo: Contributed - David Nicholls, Island Sport News

The UBC Okanagan Heat's new recruit - Ben Hindson (left.)

Hindson’s father, Robert Hindson, or ‘Ro’ as he is more commonly known in rugby circles, will be inducted this August into the BC Rugby Hall of Fame for his long and outstanding career playing for Canada’s rugby team.

Hindson will use both his size and his rugby training to be the low post player that the Heat will need in Canada West.

Hindson says he thinks he will be a big presence down low, especially on the defensive end of the court.

"This is what coach Semeniuk is looking for me to do next year," says Hindson of what he plans to bring to the court.

“Ben is very astute in understanding his role for the program,” says coach Semeniuk.

“I’m looking for the classic post; a big guy that will eat up space controlling the paint and boards for us. Hopefully he will be able to grab a rebound, make a solid outlet pass, and start the break for us.”

In Hindson’s senior year at Brentwood he averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game, leading his high school team to a bronze medal at the AA Provincial Championships.

This finish earned Brentwood its first ever provincial basketball medal.

“Ben was arguably the best big man we saw this year and was a dominant force at the AA provincials where he was selected as a first team all-star.  He has only been playing the game for a few years, but he has excellent basketball instincts and controlled games for us at the defensive end of the floor this season," says his high school coach Blake Gage.

"At 6'9 he has good size, a long wing span, and nice timing which allowed him to consistently challenge shots. By the end of the season he was savvy enough to know when to step in and draw offensive fouls as well," says Gage, a former pro basketball player.