The Simon Fraser University (SFU) men's basketball team has added a local talent to its squad.
The school announced Burnaby South Secondary Rebels guard Jimmy Zaborniak has signed to play under head coach Steve Hanson.
SFU is currently in the NCAA II division — the only Canadian team in the league.
In conference play last season (2021-22), SFU finished with a 7-9 record before losing to Alaska, 91-83 in overtime, at the Great Northwest conference (GNAC) championship in March.
"I've had the honour of watching Jimmy's development since his first SFU Basketball Camp when he was 11 years old," Hanson said in the signing announcement.
"Even at that young age, he was challenging himself and asking to play in the older boys camps versus staying with his own age group at the elementary camps. He was tough and hard-nosed then and that has served him well during a tremendous career at Burnaby South playing for coach Mike Bell."
Zaborniak helped lead the Rebels to the 2022 BC AAAA senior boys' championship and was also named MVP. The Rebels also won the provincial title in 2020. He was also part of the 2019 championship junior team.
In the 2022 final against Semiahmoo, he dropped 18 points along with three assists and three steals in 36 minutes of play. Over four games in the tournament, Zaborniak averaged more than 22 points per game.
"After winning the junior provincial title as a ninth grader, Jimmy had a choice — either move up to the senior boys level in Grade 10 or stay with his own age group," Hanson added.
"His maturity to see the next challenge and constantly improve is a testament to his hard work and the confidence he has earned in his own game. Although coming to SFU to the D II level will be another huge challenge in his career, I am quite confident Jimmy will take this on like he has done his entire life – he just continually works. On top of that, Jimmy is a great student from a great family and he is a hometown kid. He is a great addition to our program and fans of basketball in our province will enjoy seeing his growth at SFU."
Zaborniak says he chose SFU for multiple reasons while also wanting to represent his hometown.
"I chose SFU due to the combination of academic and athletic excellence while also providing me the opportunity to represent my hometown.
"I have known coach Hanson for many years and have gone to many of his training camps, and have greatly enjoyed learning from him and his assistant coaches."
