ABA alum Ben Krikke named Player of the Week in the Missouri Valley Conference

ABA alumni continue to be recognized for their amazing performances in NCAA Division 1 basketball, with Ben Krikke of the Valparaiso Crusaders being named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week on Jan. 26. Krikke averaged team highs of 13.7 points and 7.3 boards over three games for the week.

A sophomore forward from Edmonton, Krikke's week was highlighted by a 25-point, 15-rebound effort in a win at Illinois State on Jan. 24, as he led Valpo to a two-game road sweep over the Redbirds.In the process, Krikkebecame the first Missouri Valley Conference player to post a line of 25 and 15 in over four years and just the third Valpo player with a 25-point, 15-rebound effort in the last 25 seasons. He is the first Valpo player to win an MVC weekly award this season.

"Ben Krikke is deserving of this accomplishment because of his hard work and determination to improve," says Paul Sir, ABA Executive Director. "Ben is the prime example of a student athlete who understands the necessary steps that need to be taken in order to be successful in the classroom and on the court. ABA is happy for and proud of this accomplishment but this is just another step for Ben's career. There is a lot more where this came from in his future."

Krikke spent four years with Alberta Basketball’s provincial teams. He was a two-time all-star at the Canada Basketball National Championships (2016 15U Second Team and 2018 17U Second Team) and won a silver medal with Team Alberta at the 2017 Canada Summer Games.

He graduated in 2019 from Jasper Place, where he helped the Rebels win both the city and provincial titles in his Grade 12 year and was named MVP and won the slam dunk contest at the 2019 Alberta Basketball All-Star Showcase. He has represented his country on multiple occasions, including the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup and won silver with Team Canada at the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Championship.