2026 ACAC Men's Basketball Rookies of the Year
Edmonton, AB (March 4, 2026) –
NORTH MEN'S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, MALIK EDWARDS:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Malik Edwards of the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder Men’s Basketball team has been selected as the 2026 ACAC North Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year.
Edwards delivered an impressive first season in the ACAC, starting all 20 games for the Thunder and averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while logging 35 minutes per contest. As a rookie, he quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff, taking on a significant role on both ends of the floor and consistently competing against some of the conference’s top veteran talent.
Beyond his scoring ability, Edwards showcased his versatility and composure, contributing 46 assists and 34 steals while maintaining a strong presence on the defensive end. His all-around production and steady play were instrumental in helping Concordia finish 8-12 and battle their way into the postseason, clinching the final playoff spot in the North Division.
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Edwards is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at CUE. His seamless transition to the collegiate level and immediate impact have positioned him as a foundational piece of the Thunder program moving forward. This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2026 ACAC Men’s Basketball Championship hosted by the Lakeland Rustlers in Lloydminster, beginning March 5th.
SOUTH MEN'S BASKETBALL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, MARLEY KENION:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Marley Kenion of the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks has been selected as the 2026 ACAC South Division Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Year.
Kenion was selected as Kodiaks student athlete of the week and also chosen as the ACAC Player of the game on several occasions throughout the season. His love for the game helped lead his team to a second place finish in the competitive ACAC South Division.
“Since Marley joined the program, he has shown daily what it takes to be a competitor at this level with his dedication and dynamic skillset,” says Kodiaks Head Coach Ryan Heggie. “Marley is versatile, he plays and defends multiple positions. He has also been a leader on our team through his consistent compete in both games and practices. Marley plays with passion and that skill helps make him and his teammates better because of it!”
“Marley has stepped into a leader role and his passion for the game has earned him this recognition,” says Todd Caughlin, Kodiaks Athletics Director. “We are proud of Marley earning this honor in a very tough south men’s basketball division!”
Kenion is a first year student athlete enrolled in Child and Youth Care and hails from Coventry, England by way of Raymond, Alberta.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2026 ACAC Men’s Basketball Championship hosted by Lakeland College in Lloydminster, 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
Emily Peterson, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
emilyp@acac.ab.ca