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SFU losing key player to UBC
By Alfie Lau - Now Reporter
SFU's worst nightmare was UBC's dream when Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) basketball player of the year Pasha Bains announced Thursday that he'll be transferring from SFU to UBC to pursue his master's in human kinetics and playing his fifth and final year for the Thunderbirds.
"I'm super-excited about coming to UBC," said Bains.
"I'm not really looking at this as a transfer, but more as me taking advantage of an opportunity to pursue both my basketball dreams and academic dreams."
Bains said it was a tough decision whether to go overseas to play professionally in Greece or to pursue his degree.
"But the more and more I got into the decision, UBC is where I wanted to be," he said, adding that SFU didn't offer the same program he'll be pursuing and the entrance requirements at SFU were a bit higher.
The 24-year-old graduated this year from SFU with a double major in English and psychology and took advantage of a new CIS rule that allows a student who completed an undergraduate degree at one CIS school to transfer to a graduate degree program at another CIS school and begin play immediately without having to sit out a season. Bains had to sit out a season two years ago after he returned from NCAA Division 1 Clemson, where he played two seasons.
He averaged 23 points per game in 2002/03 and 25 points per game last year on the way to winning the Mike Moser Memorial Trophy as the country's best basketball player.
The decision should not have come as a surprise to SFU coach Scott Clark because Bains informed him and his teammates early on that he was applying to UBC's grad school.
"We're a super-tight group," Bains said of his teammates. "I didn't think I'd get in (to UBC). _ It's going to be tough, but if you're a real competitor, you play hard and you shake hands and be friends after the game."
"I told coach the first day I applied and he's been really diplomatic about it," Bains continued.
"It was a tough decision and I hope he respects it as an academic decision. _ SFU was never really an option. I've got no regrets. I've put my time at SFU in the past."
Previously, Bains starred at Richmond High, where he was one of the greatest high school players the province has produced, averaging 38.4 points, eight rebounds and six assists in his senior year, leading the Colts to a 31-2 record and the B.C. high school crown.
UBC and SFU play four times during the regular season, with the first games Nov. 11 at UBC and the next night at SFU. They also play back-to-back Feb. 2 and 3 with SFU hosting the first game and UBC the latter game.
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