Tori Dugan named CCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year

Tori Dugan of the Lakeland Rustlers is the 2022 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Basketball Player of the Year.

In addition, Dugan is one of 12 players to be named a 2022 CCAA Women's Basketball All-Canadian. See the full list below.

The student-athletes were honoured at the 2022 CCAA Women's Basketball National Championship, hosted by Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo, BC.

"Through her outstanding leadership skills and her terrific vision on the court, Tori helped lead Lakeland to an undefeated season," said Mai Nguyen, CCAA Women's Basketball Convenor. "She is a great player, and I am looking forward to seeing her lead the Rustlers onto the court and contend for a CCAA Championship title this week in Nanaimo."

The fifth-year guard led Lakeland to a 16-0 record and first-place finish in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) North Division. The Rustlers cruised to a victory over the NAIT Ooks in the Conference Championships final to advance to the CCAA Championships.

Dugan averaged 13.9 points per game, 5.8 assists per game and 3.9 rebounds per game this season. She led the ACAC in assists and three-point percentage.

Over five seasons with the Rustlers, she led Lakeland to an overall record of 98-14.

Dugan is the undisputed leader and captain of the Rustlers. She has been a mentor to all the first-year student-athletes on the team and is the hardest working player on the court. Dugan challenges her teammates to always reach their upmost potential and speaks to the concept of team over self for the greater good.

In addition to her commitments as a student-athlete, Dugan is heavily involved in the community and is a role model to a generation of future basketball players.

Dugan coaches in the Lloydminster Catholic School Division Basketball Academy and the Lloydminster Public School Divisions Sport Academy. She is also the lead coach for Rustlers Youth Basketball, a community-based program with more than 100 children from kindergarten to Grade 6. Dugan was also the lead coach for all Rustlers Basketball camps this past summer.

"Tori is such an amazing individual," said Alan Rogan, Director of Recreation & Athletics at Lakeland College. "She has grown into a great basketball player but more importantly a great leader who openly shares her passion and knowledge with all those around her."

The CCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year receives a customized ring provided by Jostens Canada, the Official Ring Supplier of the CCAA.

Story provided by:  Rodney Wilson, CCAA