This evening, Bisons freshman forward Simon Hildebrandt was honoured with the Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy as national Rookie of the Year. Hildebrandt becomes just the second men's basketball player in U of M history to win national rookie of the year honours and first since 1989-90 when Eric Bridgeland won the award. The Winnipeg product also became the first Bisons men's basketball player in Canada West history to win the award a few weeks back. 

Hildebrandt, who was also elected a Second Team All-Canadian and made the All-Rookie roster, was a major key to the Bisons' success this season, stepping onto Canada West court like he has lived there for the past four years. The rookie showed poise right away, establishing himself as a major scoring threat and leading his Bisons to the best record in the conference (18-2), the best record in Manitoba program history. 

"We knew coming in that Simon was going to be an impact player for us," said Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp. "I think he's really embraced his role. He's exceeded even our loftiest expectations in terms of what he can bring on a nightly basis. The future is certainly very bright for Simon."

Hildebrandt averaged a team-high 16.5 points per game and went 41.2 per cent from beyond the arc with his trademark catch and shoot release. He also set a program record this season, hitting 14 consecutive free throws in a come from behind win over No. 5 ranked Alberta in game two. Hildebrandt also scored a career-high 28 points in that game, and went over 20 points on nine different occasions. 

"This is a team award in my eyes. It might sound corny but it's true," added Hildebrandt.

"Nothing is possible if we don't have an 18-2 record as a team, and if I don't get to play with teammates like Isaac [Miiler-Jose], Cieran [O'Hara], Jonam [Kazadi] and Wyatt [Tait], who all rebound and play defence, and all the other guys who have confidence in me, and always have my back."