VICTORIA - Sam Maillet might be most recognizable for his unforgettable mullet, but his defence has made him impossible to ignore.

The fifth-year guard from Moncton, N.B., has spent his final season of eligibility suffocating opponents for the University of Victoria Vikes. On Wednesday, he was named the U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year—just a week after earning the same honour in the Canada West conference. Maillet becomes the first player in Victoria men's basketball program history to earn national Defensive Player of the Year honours since the award was introduced by the national office in 2004-05. 

Previously winning the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) conference Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021-22, Maillet also became the first player to win a conference defensive player of the year award in two different conferences since the award was introduced in U SPORTS in 2004-05. 

While Maillet's time with the Vikes has been brief, his impact has been undeniable.

Maillet arrived on the island after helping Dalhousie reach the U SPORTS Final 8 last season, where they finished fourth. A five-time Academic All-Canadian, he had a degree in hand and a decision to make: grad school or professional basketball?

He spent the summer playing alongside Vikes star Diego Maffia on the Vancouver Bandits of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), taking advantage of the U SPORTS program that allows athletes to play professionally without losing eligibility. Then, in a twist of fate, Dalhousie assistant coach Murphy Burnatowski accepted the head coaching role at UVic.

The connections were there, and the fit was undeniable. Maillet made a few trips to the island to practice with the team, and it quickly became clear: this was where he wanted to finish his U SPORTS career. He enrolled in UVic's Master of Business Administration in sustainable innovation and made the move to Victoria for one final run at a national title.

"I wanted to challenge myself to grow, and it's been a productive year for me. The community has been super supportive, and the team is awesome," said Maillet. "I had an amazing experience at Dalhousie, and finding a group of high-character guys was important to me—which is what we have here. Even though it's only been a short time, I've developed relationships here that will last a lifetime."

While Maillet found success as a role player with the Bandits, he quickly became much more than that for the Vikes. When the No. 1 team in the country lost the No. 1 player in the country to an ACL tear, he stepped up. Maillet's versatility makes him a coach's dream—defending every position, initiating the offence, and playing with an intensity that raises the standard for everyone around him.

However, despite the evidence, the 6'7" guard chalks it up to passion. "I always say that I'm not athletic, I just try really really hard, and I love to compete. That's what's fun for me."

While Maillet admits it's an incredible accomplishment to win the U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year, he quickly deflects the spotlight to his teammates. "This recognition is really a testament to the success of the team. Aaron [Tesfagiorgis], Geoffrey [James], and Renoldo [Robinson] have been grinding all year, and this award just highlights the type of defensive team we are. It's really a team award." said Maillet.

Maillet grew up in a basketball family, following in the footsteps of his father, Greg, a former OUA conference champion who played for the University of Calgary (1985-89) and the University of Ottawa (1992-94). As he prepares for the U SPORTS Final 8, he can't ignore the irony—to win a national championship, he must beat his father's former teams.

The Vikes kick things off against Bishop's University in the INDOCHINO U SPORTS Final 8 quarterfinal round, presented by Victory Creative Group on March 13 at the University of British Columbia's War Memorial Gym.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
#4 Vikes vs. #5 Bishop's Gaiters
Thursday, March 13 | 11 a.m.
Consolation/Championship Semifinals | Friday, March 14
Consolation Final | Saturday, March 15
Medal Games | Sunday, March 16
Watch: CBC Sports