Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – After scoring the second-most points by a rookie in all of U SPORTS in 2024-25, Griffins men's basketball point guard Diego Presingular was rewarded with a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie team, announced Thursday.
He makes history as the first Griffins men's basketball player to earn a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie team.
Presingular is also the first Griffins men's basketball player in eight years to earn recognition from the conference, following Denzel James, who was a Canada West third team all-star in back-to-back seasons (2014-16).
The Winnipeg, Man., native was leaned on more and more in the latter stages of the season as the Griffins dealt with injuries. He finished third in scoring at MacEwan (11.8 points/game), while also leading the team in time on court (30.7 minutes/game).
His 235 points made him the second leading scorer amongst rookies in U SPORTS only behind Queen's Oliver Engen (394), while his points/game average was fourth amongst rookies across the country, and tops in Canada West.
"He's definitely one of the top rookies in Canada, we're happy to have him and the future looks good for him," said Griffins head coach Mike Connolly. "He's going to be a floor general who takes the team to the next level."
This Diego Presingular three put the Griffins up 20-0 in the first quarter at the Saville Centre!#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/5NDjJyYVdE
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Basketball Team (@Griffins_MBB) February 15, 2025
Presingular broke Griffins program rookie records for points, points/game, assists (55), assists/game (2.8) and steals (22).
With him at the point, the Griffins consistently challenged top teams in 2024-25.
"I think he brought scoring from the point guard position," said Connolly. "Point guards usually run the show, pass and distribute the ball, but he was also able to score for us in games that kept us going.
"When you have a point guard who can distribute and pass like he can, but also has the ability to score like he can, to keep people honest, that makes the defence open up a little bit more and create more space for other guys."
Diego Presingular with the scintillating slash to the hoop! @MacEwanGriffins have the lead down the stretch in the fourth quarter.#GriffNation pic.twitter.com/7NmL94wCOJ
— MacEwan Griffins Men's Basketball Team (@Griffins_MBB) January 12, 2025
Presingular also broke the program record for the most points by a Griffins rookie in a Canada West game when he scored 27 to pace MacEwan to a huge 84-69 victory over Regina on Jan. 11. The other single Canada West game program records he holds are the most assists by a rookie (5 – a mark he hit twice in 2024-25 on Nov. 30 and Jan. 18), and the most free throws (going 8/12 on Jan. 11).
"He's a competitor," said Connolly. "He competes, he's got a little chip on his shoulder. He loves it. That was his character that we thought that we needed – just a little tough guy, who's going to play and not worry about things.
"He has good character, he plays hard and competes, and that's what he does all the time."
Presingular is one of five players in Canada West on the rookie team, joining UNBC's Isaiah Bias, UBC's Nylan Roberts, and Alberta Golden Bears Nash Semeniuk and Kyle Varner.
