Nurumbi, Cuen named All-PacWest

Grand Canyon University senior center Engen Nurumbi was selected as a first team All-Pacific West Conference member in his first and final NCAA Division II collegiate season.

Nurumbi was also chosen as the league's Newcomer of the Year.

"I just want to thank the organization of GCU for giving me a chance," Nurumbi said after putting a wrap on a collegiate career that took him to three different schools, including NCAA Division I Minnesota, before he punctuated his success at Grand Canyon.

GCU junior forward Dave Cuen was named second team all-conference.

Nurumbi led the Antelopes in scoring (15.0), rebounds (6.7), blocks (33), steals (39) and field goal percentage (.500). He hit 157 of 314 field goals. Nurumbi finished fifth in the league in scoring, tied for sixth in rebounding, seventh in steals at 1.44 per game, and second in blocks after the leader was afforded the opportunity to play two more games in the postseason.

"He really bounced back after not playing the last two years," Grand Canyon coach Dan Nichols said. "He's a great player and a great person, and I think he's going to be a big success in life. And I think he's going to play professional ball somewhere."

Nurumbi said he will concentrate his efforts the next month on completing his degree and then will pursue a pro career somewhere.

"I'm very thankful to the coaching staff and the good people at Grand Canyon," Nurumbi said. "It was a really good experience. It's very helpful for someone like me being from another country and being on my own. GCU is like a family to me."

Cuen (pictured) was the team's second leading scorer (14.1) and steals leader (36) and averaged 5.7 rebounds per game, which ranked third on the team. He was tied for eighth in the PacWest in scoring, 14th in rebounds and fifth in steals.

"It just shows a continuum of his success," Nichols said. "I expect even bigger things from him next year."

All-Pacific West Conference

First Team

Lucas Alves - BYU-Hawaii (Player of the Year)

Ryan Sanchez - Dixie State

Joel Smith - Chaminade

Jay DeMaestri - Hawai‘i Hilo

John Smith - Hawai‘i Hilo

Mohamed Tangara - Chaminade

Engen Nurumbi - Grand Canyon

Second Team

J.R. Buensuceso - BYU-Hawaii

Jason Curtis - Hawai‘i Pacific

Marques Whippy - BYU-Hawaii

Dave Cuen - Grand Canyon

Nathan Sims - BYU-Hawaii

Trenson Akana - BYU-Hawaii

Andy Palmer - Dixie State

Honorable Mention

Noah Gottlieb - Chaminade

Perry Baggett - Hawai‘i Hilo

Jacob Briggs - Hawai‘i Hilo

Dan Bergeron - NDNU

Bennie Murry - NDNU

Freshman of the Year - Jet Chang - BYU-Hawaii

Newcomer of the Year - Engen Nurumbi - Grand Canyon

Coach of the Year - Jon Judkins - Dixie State

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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