WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Acadia University and basketball head coach Kevin Duffie announced today the commitment of recruit Marcus Upshaw from Burlington, Ont. to the Axemen program.

Upshaw is a 6' 3" combo guard who currently attends Ridley College in St Catharines, Ont. Ridley began competing in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) prep league last season.

Upshaw was a member of Team Ontario, who captured a silver medal at the 17U National Championship hosted in Halifax in 2015. That isn't Marcus' only connection to the area, his father Tarry Upshaw is from the Windsor, N.S. region and is related to former Axemen basketball great Ted Upshaw.

When asked about his family's connection to Acadia, Marcus said, "Attending Acadia means more than just basketball, it's a family tradition that I am aiming to join." 

Upshaw has extensive club and AAU experience competing with Grassroots Canada and CIA Bounce.

Duffie is thrilled with the commitment by Upshaw as he brings great skill, basketball IQ and leadership to the team.

 "We are really excited have Marcus join our group, he is a great person, with a high level of skill and basketball smarts. He has leadership qualities that you can't teach and he will impact our program from day one," said Duffie.

"I think Acadia is a great fit for me, from the quality education, to the basketball reputation and style of play. I am looking forward to joining an environment that is supportive and aims to get players better every day," added Upshaw when asked about why he chose Acadia.

Finishing the first half of the season with a 6-1 record, the Axemen return to AUS regular season play on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. against the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies.

Acadia University hosts the U SPORTS Men's Basketball Final 8 March 8-11, 2018 at Scotiabank Centre – Halifax, N.S.