RDP Kings transfer Simon set to bring his strong two-way game to MacEwan in 2026-27
Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – After he excelled at the ACAC level last season, it's intriguing to see what the latest recruit for the MacEwan Griffins men's basketball team can do in Canada West.
Noah Simon is transferring from Red Deer Polytechnic to play for the Griffins in 2026-27 and will be entering his third year of eligibility.
He led the Kings in scoring last season, averaging 11.3 points/game, including four games with 20+ points, which were all near the end of the season.
In fact, Simon averaged 19.0 PPG in the last five games he played for the Kings – numbers which would be among the top players in the ACAC.
"He's a 6-6 athlete that has a knack for scoring the ball, a knack for defence, for rebounding – things that we were lacking a little bit last year," said Griffins head coach David Kapinga, who has known Simon a long time as he also hails from his hometown of Calgary. "I think he'll be someone that will be able to fill the hole that we had.
"With Job (Janda) and others leaving, we need some stoppers – guys who have a little more thickness with some strength where they can't be moved but still have some height and prowess. I think he fits that really, really well."
After graduating from Notre Dame high school in Calgary, Simon first played post-secondary for Okanagan College in 2024-25, earning PacWest All-Rookie team honours by averaging 6.8 points/game. He played against current Griffin Favour Igbinyemi that season.
He then transferred to RDP last season, which helped him grow his game, but also proved to be challenging with a coaching change midway through and a 2-19 finish for the Kings.
"The situation at Red Deer was probably a little rougher than he had hoped for," said Kapinga. "They had a change in coaching halfway through the season, which is probably something that's really tough. But I'm always someone who looks at the bright side of things. Him experiencing that – a little bit of shifting under the ground for him – he can bring that here and say, 'hey listen, you guys might be complaining about what's going on, but you guys don't know you have it good.'
"I think bringing that different perspective from what he went through into our (group) – the humbleness and respect for the game – is going to be really, really good for our guys to see."
And his scoring will be welcomed. The 3-4 forward is a late bloomer who has tons of potential.
"He can shoot the ball," said Kapinga. "When Noah takes a shot, it's probably going in. He doesn't really take any shot that's not supposed to be taken.
"From the few times that we've seen him, I think we can place him in really good situations where he can blossom. He's waiting for that and he's keen on coming here. We're very excited."
