VICTORIA – The University of Victoria's
Diego Maffia has been named the 2023 Canada West Player of the Year, the conference announced on March 2.
Seemingly a shoo-in for the major award, Maffia led the conference and the country, averaging 24.9 points per game during the regular season, recording a career-high 42 points versus UBC on February 11.
Starting all 21 games for the Vikes this season, Maffia earned Canada West Player of the Week and U SPORTS Athlete of the Week honours a combined four times. Breaking the UVic single-season scoring record (479 points) previously held by UVic Hall-of-Famer Spencer McKay, the third-year Vike becomes just the second men's basketball player to win the conference MVP since 2000.
"I try to improve every year, and that was a goal of mine. I made the all-rookie team in my first year and was named a second-team all-star last year, so I exceeded my expectations this year, getting player of the year. As much as we don't focus on individual awards, it's nice to see those improvements from year to year and that the hard work is paying off—it feels great," said Maffia.
No stranger to breaking records, Maffia holds the BC high school boys' all-time scoring record and is best known for putting up a mind-blowing 94 points in one game, single-handily outscoring the other team's 88 points. Coming out of Oak Bay High School touted as the most prolific scorer in BC high school basketball history; Maffia was one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.
While many Canadian hoop stars head south of the border to play NCAA Division I, Maffia opted to stay close to home, hoping to give back to the community and the program that raised him.
Arriving in Victoria in Grade 9, the Brazilian-born soccer and volleyball star was cut from Oak Bay's junior basketball team, much like the GOAT Michael Jordan who was sentenced to a year on the development squad at the same age. With a chip on his shoulder, Maffia spent the season on the junior B team putting in the work, easily making the A team the following season.
That summer, Maffia attended a Vikes skills camp and then made the Vikes Nation club basketball program under Vikes lead assistant coach
Josh Mullen. During those years with the club, Maffia developed into an unstoppable scoring threat and built a relationship with the program that would land him with the Vikes years later.
Highlights from Maffia's 42-point performance vs UBC, Feb. 11
While scoring seems to come easy to the natural-born shooting guard, it has taken time for the undersized guard (6'1") to find his rhythm at the U SPORTS level, steadily improving year to year.
In his first two seasons, Washington's
Scott Kellum handled the patented point-guard position allowing Maffia time to get open and get his looks as a shooter. The experience of playing with Kellum gave Maffia time to gain confidence in his ability to score against bigger, more experienced competitors without the added pressure of handling the ball.
With Kellum gone this season, Maffia has taken on the role of point guard—a transition he is familiar with, having done it in Grade 12 following in the footsteps of former Oak Bay point guard and Queens University alumnus Caelan Scott.
"I was a little bit nervous switching positions mid-way through my career, but I like having the ball in my hands, and I like making decisions and taking care of the offence; I think the move has helped grow my game even further. It's more responsibility, but it's something I enjoy," said Maffia.
The switch has paid off for Maffia, who ended the regular season a top-20 assist-getter in the nation while leading the Vikes to a 17-3 record, good enough for the top-seed in Canada West and ranking them number two in the nation.
For head coach,
Craig Beaucamp to see homegrown talent flourish at the highest level is a great moment.
"As a coach, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing your players reach their potential and achieve their goals. Diego's leadership and individual play have been instrumental to our team's success. He led the conference in points and was also one of the conference leaders in assists. This is a tremendous honour and a testament to Diego's exceptional skill and dedication to the game," said
Craig Beaucamp, men's head basketball coach.
"Diego has worked tirelessly to improve and set a standard of excellence for his teammates to follow. We are proud to have Diego represent our program as this year's Canada West Player of the Year."
Now a household name in Victoria, Maffia, along with the entire Vikes men's basketball squad, has captured the hearts of the sports community reminiscent of the UVic national championship dynasty of the 1980s.
Canada West has two berths into the eight-team 2023 U Sports national championship tournament March 10-12 at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, with the Vikes and Wesmen both guaranteed to advance.
Before heading to nationals, the Vikes will battle it out for best in the west on home court, 7:00 p.m., March 3 at CARSA. Tickets are sold out, but the game is available to stream on Canada West TV.
Full Canada West release.
