Men's Basketball All-Stars
Kameron Bender named PACWEST Player of the Year; Leighton and Johnson join him as conference all-stars
NANAIMO - Guard Kameron Bender (Tustin, CA) put an exclamation point on his first season north of the border, earning the nod as the 2024-25 PACWEST Men's Basketball Player of the Year. Kai Leighton (Prince Rupert, BC) and Kaeleb Johnson (East Anchorage, AK) were named conference all-stars for the second straight season.
Kam Bender - First Team All-Star and PACWEST Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Kam Bender is recognized as a PACWEST All-Star and given his conference player of the year award by PACWEST representative Jenn Naiman, Athletics, Recreation & Student Life Coordinator, Okanagan College
An acrobatic guard with the ability to finish highlight-reel plays, Kam led the conference with 18.1 points per game, overall points, and made field goals. An unselfish player, Kam finished eighth in conference assists (3.5 per game) and proved to be incredibly tricky for opponents to guard. He drew more fouls and made more free throws than anyone else in the PACWEST this season. Tough defensively too, as he finished fifth in steals and sixth in blocks.
Kai Leighton - First Team All-Star
Kai Leighton receives his PACWEST All-Star shirt from PACWEST representative Jenn Naiman at the PACWEST Basketball Championships
Forward Kai Leighton was named a 2024-25 First Team All-Star, building upon his Second Team All-Star award last season. He finished second in the conference with a 53% field goal percentage, was VIU's top rebounder (sixth overall), and finished tied for third in assists per game (4.6). He also lead the conference in assist to turnover ratio.
Kaeleb Johnson - Second Team All-Star
VIU guard Kaeleb Johnson is announced as part of the starting lineup in the Mariners semifinal game at the 2025 PACWEST Basketball Championship
Kaeleb was a proven sharpshooter again for the Mariners and earned his second consecutive Second Team All-Star award. He finished fifth in total points scored, fourth in total three-pointers, and fifth in three-point percentage (37.6%).
PACWEST Media Release - Complete List of All-Stars
Photos courtesy Capilano University Blues