Nissen to join Basketball Axemen after stint in NCAA

WOLFVILLE, NS – Acadia University and the men's basketball head coach Kevin Duffie are pleased to announce the commitment of the Quispamsis, NB native, Erik Nissen.

A 6' 9", 220 lbs. forward, Nissen will be transferring from the University of Maine where he played the last two seasons for the NCAA Division 1 Black Bears basketball team.

Nissen was an accomplished High School Player at Kennebecasis Valley High School where he averaged 20.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 2.0 steals per game in his senior year. He was a two-time NBIAA South West Player of the Year and two time all-start. Nissen was also an Under 17 Canadian National Championship Second Teal All-Star and the Team's MVP.

"We are excited to have Erik join our program. He is a tough competitor with a physical presence that is going to bolster our roster right away" said head coach Kevin Duffie. "He has the versatility to score inside and out, while be able protect our rim and rebound on both ends of the floor. On top of all that, he is a great young man and an accomplished student. He is a great fit to our roster and to the Acadia culture."

Recruited by Acadia prior to his choice to attend the University Maine, Nissen is aware of Acadia's strive for excellence on and off the court. "I am very excited to become an Axemen", pointed out Nissen. "Acadia is a great university with a strong sense of pride in academics and athletics. I can't wait to be a part of the Acadia community."

Director of Athletics, Kevin Dickie, is excited to have Nissen commit to Acadia. "I am absolutely thrilled to have Erik join our Axemen program on a couple of levels", said Dickie. "Firstly, we needed a player to step in to make a contribution in his position. Secondly, Erik is coming back home to Atlantic Canada and more importantly to Acadia." Dickie added, "Erik could have chosen almost any other program in the CIS to return to Canada to become a student-athlete. By choosing Acadia, it validates that our program is continuing to head in the right direction".

Nissen is of a handful of Canadian citizens to use the Repatriation Rule - a rule instituted by the CIS in 2013 which allows Canadians to return from the NCAA and not have to sit out a year before being eligible to play.

The Axemen open the exhibition season at home against the Saint Mary's Huskies on October 8 followed by the House-Laughton Tournament at Carleton University on Oct. 16-18.