Men’s Basketball Announces 2021 Team Awards

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Lake Superior State men’s basketball head coach Steve Hettinga has announced the recipients of the team’s awards for the 2021 season on Wednesday, April 14. 

Junior forward Kemon Bassett, a junior transfer from Schoolcraft Community College, was named the Lakers Most Valuable Player. Bassett, who was named All-GLIAC First Team, led the Lakers in his first season with the team with 15.2 points per game. At the close of the GLIAC regular season, Bassett ranked tenth in points per game among his conference peers. Bassett started 18 of the team’s 19 games and averaged 28.3 minutes on the floor for LSSU. Bassett’s 52.8 field goal percentage ranked second on the team and finished the regular season ranked fourth among all GLIAC players in shooting percentage. The Detroit, Mich. native ranked second on the Lakers in rebounds with 7.4 per game and finished the regular season in the top ten of the category in the GLIAC. 

Bassett posted double-figures in points in 15 of the team’s 19 games this season and recorded five double-doubles during the 2021 season. The forward was named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week twice this season (Jan. 13 and Feb. 1). 

Freshman guard Blake Cassidy received the Most Improved Player award. A native of Pellston, Mich, Cassidy appeared in 12 games for the Lakers in his first collegiate season. As the season went on, Cassidy was relied on by Coach Hettinga including a season-high 20 minutes in the Lakers game against Ashland on Feb. 26. Cassidy scored a personal-best nine points in the game, as the guard netted three three pointers. The freshman finished his first collegiate season averaging 4.9 minutes per game and 2.3 points per game with a 39.1 shooting percentage and a 42.9 mark from three.

Junior guard Justin Fischer earned the Bud Cooper Coaches Award. Fischer, a native of Sterling Heights, Mich., started all 19 games this season for the Lakers. The junior finished the season averaging 30.9 minutes on the floor each game while also leading the team in rebounds (7.6). Fischer ranked second among his teammates in assists per game (2.7). With a 53.8 shooting percentage during the 2021 season, Fischer led all Lakers and ranked fifth among all GLIAC players at the close of the season in the category. Fischer also ranked in the top ten among his GLIAC peers in rebounds as he was tied for sixth at the conclusion of the 2021 season. 

Junior guard David Wren, who played his first season for the Lakers after spending two years at Schoolcraft Community College, was named the team’s Best Newcomer. Wren, who started all 19 games, finished his first season with the Lakers ranking third on the team in points per game with 13.0. The Ypsilanti, Mich. native totaled a 47.4 shooting percentage and a 37.8 three point percentage while also ranking third on the team in rebounds per game (3.8). 

Redshirt sophomore forward Tristen Mysen was the recipient of the Tom Thornton Award, which is presented to the student-athlete who persevered, never gave up, and was a great teammate. Mysen, a biology/pre-med major, appeared in 10 games this season for LSSU which included a season-high nine minutes against Northern Michigan on Jan. 31. Mysen recorded four points against the Wildcats.

Junior guard C.J. Robinson is the program’s first recipient of the Chris Buell Award. The award is presented to the student-athlete that best exemplifies toughness and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the betterment of the team. Robinson started all 19 games for the Lakers during the 2021 season and led the team in minutes per game with 32.5. The Clarkston, Mich. native led the Lakers in assists per game with 2.9 and averaged 6.4 points per game in his third year as a Laker. Robinson’s best game of the season came on Feb. 6 against Davenport as he recorded 14 points in the Laker win while also adding eight assists, four steals, and three rebounds. For his play this season, Robinson was named to the All-GLIAC Defensive Team. 

For more information, visit lssulakers.com