We had the chance to chat with some of our top rookie picks within the Atlantic University Conference. We look forward to covering these names throughout the season.
Liam Shaw || 6’7 Forward || Bill Crothers SS || University of New Brunswick
Liam Shaw is a 6’7 forward from Whitby, Ontario, entering his freshman season with the University of New Brunswick Reds. A late addition to the game, Shaw didn’t begin playing organized basketball until grade eight.
“I started playing in grade seven and eight,” he says. “Started loving the game in high school, and there I am now.”
Shaw developed his game at Bill Crothers Secondary, one of the top sports-focused schools in Ontario. There, he played under coach Yoosrie Salhia, who he credits with shaping his identity as a player.
“He helped me kind of mould my role… what I can do really well, use my strengths, how to improve on some of my weaknesses.”
Along the way, Shaw also worked with trainer Jason Calliste, a former University of Oregon player. “I’ve known him since I was in grade 10… just a great guy, great trainer for the team and helped me out a lot.”
Shaw describes himself as a shooter first. “I think I’m one of the best shooters you can find, especially for my size.” But he also sees rebounding as a part of his game that will carry over at the next level.
At the same time, he’s clear-eyed about where he needs to improve: “Foot speed for sure, on offence and defence… if I can get my handle or my foot speed, that’ll be pretty good.”
When reflecting on his high school career, one memory stands out: “Probably when we beat Royal Crown for the first time in my fifth year. That was a big win and a good memory I have.”
Transitioning to the university level has brought new challenges. “The game’s a lot quicker. The guys are a lot bigger… we’re not playing kids anymore. You’re playing grown men.”
Shaw understands his role at UNB will be different than what he’s used to. With a veteran-heavy roster, minutes will have to be earned.
“He just wants me to fight in practice, fight for minutes, when I get in, knock down shots, fight for rebounds,” he says of conversations with head coach Joe Salerno. “More of a reserved role than I’m used to, for sure, but I still have an opportunity to show what I can do.”
Despite receiving interest from both U.S. prep programs and several U Sports schools, Shaw committed to UNB without visiting the campus.
“The way Joe talked to my family… it kind of just made me feel like home. I trusted him a lot, and yeah, I made my decision.”
Now on campus, Shaw is focused on building toward a long-term role. “My goal is honestly to help the team win in whatever way I can… I want to be a four-year guy here. I don’t want to be bouncing around schools.”
Looking beyond university, Shaw has clear goals. “I want to play overseas for sure. I know I work hard and trust my work ethic… I want to develop over all four years.”
His advice to younger players looking to follow a similar path is simple: “Keep working every day. Keep stacking days. Listen to your coaches. Try to develop your game… the work will always show.”
Marcus Green || 6’4 Guard || Royal Crown Academy || Saint Mary’s University
Marcus Green, a 6’4 freshman at Saint Mary’s University, brings versatility and toughness to the AUS. Originally from Toronto, he first picked up a basketball at age five and has been locked in ever since.
“I love the game. I love just being on the court,” Green says. “If I wasn’t playing basketball, I’d probably be a race car driver… but I love helping people too. I try to be a good sportsman, always trying to help in any way I can, on or off the court.”
Green’s path has been shaped by challenges beyond basketball. Born three months premature, he experienced a slower developmental start. “I was almost diagnosed with autism… I spoke my first words at a later age,” he says. “My family always says I’m a golden child, because of what I went through and how far I’ve come.”
His high school basketball journey took him through some of Canada’s top prep programs — Crestwood, Fifth-Year Academy, and finally Royal Crown. Each stop added something to his game, but Royal Crown stood out for its intensity and structure.
“The difference with Royal Crown was the work and dedication,” he says. “We were working five times a day, five days a week. You couldn’t slack… Coach Mike and Coach Chris really helped me develop, especially when we needed someone to step up at the end of the season.”
Green’s most memorable moment came in his final year, when Royal Crown won the NPA Championship.
“That was probably the biggest accomplishment I had in high school,” he says. “We had an okay season, but when it mattered most, we locked in. Everyone doubted us. That win proved a lot of people wrong.”
When it came time to pick a university, Green had multiple options, but SMU stood out.
“I didn’t want to do another post-grad or go somewhere I wasn’t sure about. Coach Jonah told me I’d have the chance to play a big role here if I did things right,” he explains. “I wanted that challenge. It feels like a second home here — like a small Toronto.”
At SMU, Green’s role has already been defined with clarity: be the player who can do a bit of everything.
“A lot of coaches have said they couldn’t recruit me because I’m positionless,” Green says. “But Jonah allows me to be me. I can guard a guard, I can guard a big, I can play wing, I can play inside. That trust is something I haven’t always had.”
Green identifies his mentality and physicality as key strengths.
“Some freshmen get in their heads after a bad game. That’s not me,” he says. “I know there’ll be bad nights and great ones. But I stay locked in regardless. I attack the basket, I defend one through five, I get to my mid-range spots. That’s where I’m comfortable.”
To take the next step, he knows there are parts of his game that need sharpening.
“Shooting from three, for sure. I shoot well, but I could do more there,” he admits. “And just creating better opportunities for my teammates — making something out of nothing in the offence.”
For his freshman year, Green has one goal that stands above the rest: winning.
“The ultimate goal is to win the AUS,” he says. “Me and my dad talked about it before I came here. I want to help put SMU back on the map. People don’t always think of us as a basketball school — I want to change that.”
Long term, Green is aiming for a professional career.
“The dream is still the NBA. That’s every kid’s dream,” he says. “But I just want to go pro. Play Division I. Retire my dad from work. Make my mom proud. None of this happens without them.”
Mykhailo Lypka || 6’8 Forward || Royal Crown Academy || Acadia University
Mykhailo Lypka is a 6’8 freshman guard at Acadia University, originally from Kharkiv, Ukraine. He started playing basketball at age nine, encouraged by his father, who had also played the game growing up.
“My dad introduced me to basketball. He was playing when he was younger, so I also decided to give it a try… and I actually liked it,” Lypka says. “From nine years old, I’ve been playing basketball to this day.”
Lypka’s journey took an unexpected turn at 15, when war forced him to leave Ukraine. He relocated to Slovenia, where he played at multiple levels, including under-18, under-20, and the professional second division.
“I left Ukraine ten days after the war started,” he says. “I got extremely lucky. [Coach] Anže Trafela helped me a lot to continue playing and improving. I’ll forever be grateful to that club and to the people I met there.”
After his time in Slovenia, Lypka moved to Canada and spent a season with Royal Crown Academy in Toronto. He credits the program for helping him accelerate his development.
“In those nine months, I developed the most I ever had before,” he says. “It was definitely one of the best decisions I ever made. Coach Michael DeGiorgio, Coach Chris, and the whole staff — I’m really grateful for them.”
He doesn’t name one standout moment, but looks back at his entire experience at Royal Crown as meaningful.
“Every day was the best memory for me,” he says. “I got along with the guys really well. I loved making new friends from around the world.”
When it came time to choose a university, Lypka felt Acadia was the right fit.
“I just think it’s the best fit for me,” he says. “I’m really grateful to Coach Michael Leslie, and Coach Igor Stjepanovic for giving me the opportunity to come here. So far, I love it here and I’m ready to win.”
Lypka’s personal goals are simple and consistent with the values he’s held since first picking up the game.
“Wherever I go, I just want to impact winning as much as I possibly can,” he says. “And to become the best version of a basketball player I can be.”
He avoids self-promotion when asked about his strengths. “If they haven’t seen me play, they should come and see,” he says. “I’m not a guy to talk about myself. I’ll let the game do the talking.” If pressed, he points to one skill: “Passing.”
When discussing areas for growth, Lypka emphasizes balance and versatility.
“Obviously, I have to work on everything,” he says. “But I want to become a guy who can guard all five positions. It won’t be easy for my height, but I think it’s possible.”
His seasonal goals reflect both a personal and team-first mentality.
“Personally, I want to get better and become closer to the best version of myself,” he says. “And as a team, just win every game we go into. Be consistent and keep fighting — whether it’s the first game or the last.”
Lypka also brings international experience, having played for Ukraine’s U18 national team. The opportunity meant more than just a basketball milestone.
“Representing the national team is a feeling you can’t explain,” he says. “The boys I’ve known since an early age were separated by the war, and playing with them again meant a lot. The responsibility of representing your country… that made a big impact on me.”
Away from the court, Lypka is studying Business Management at Acadia. When time allows, he likes to unwind through other sports.
“I love playing tennis — especially with my sister,” he says. “It’s a good distraction. I also like table tennis and water polo, since my dad played water polo back in Ukraine.”
Though he doesn’t speak in absolutes about going pro, Lypka’s focus remains steady.
“Right now, I don’t have a certain goal like ‘go pro,’ but I do want to become the best version of a basketball player I can be,” he says. “Even if I don’t go pro, I know I’ll use basketball as a tool to build my career.”
Samuel Olugu || 6’4 Guard || Halifax Grammar || Dalhousie University
Samuel Olugu enters his first year at Dalhousie University as a promising addition to the Tigers’ backcourt. A 6’4 shooting guard from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ologu brings a mix of athleticism and skill to a roster looking to regroup after a rebuilding season.
He wrapped up his senior year at Halifax Grammar averaging 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the top high school players in the province. Olugu has also represented Nova Scotia on the national stage, playing with Team Nova Scotia at the 2022 and 2024 National Championships.
His playing style is built around his speed and ability to finish in transition. At 200 pounds, he already brings solid physical tools to the wing position and has shown he can rebound and create plays for others. His versatility allows him to slide into either guard spot depending on the lineup.
Dalhousie head coach Rick Plato believes Olugu’s transition game and athleticism will be an immediate asset. As he adjusts to the physical and tactical demands of AUS competition, the coaching staff sees long-term potential in his ability to become a consistent scoring threat within the conference.
Off the court, Olugu is pursuing a degree in engineering — a challenging academic path that reflects his discipline and focus. His commitment to balancing academics and athletics has already impressed those around the program.
Dalhousie is coming off a 6-13 season and missed the playoffs last year. With the addition of Olugu and other young talent, the program is aiming to take a step forward. Olugu’s development will be one of the key storylines to watch as the Tigers look to return to form.
Phoenyx Wyse || 6’4 Forward || St. Michael’s College School || St. Francis Xavier University
Phoenyx Wyse is a 6’4 small forward from Toronto, Ontario, beginning his freshman season at St. Francis Xavier University. He played his high school basketball at St. Michael’s College School and competed on the AAU circuit with Canada Elite.
Wyse brings size and experience to the wing position and is in a position to contribute right away. His background in high-level high school and club programs has prepared him for the transition to U SPORTS competition.
He joins an X-Men roster as part of their elite 2025 recruiting class.
