Sources within the TMU camp have officially confirmed the return of reigning OUA MVP Aaron Rhooms.
The star forward has rejoined team practices and was present with the team Sep. 6 for TMU’s alumni exhibition game.
The end of the 2024-25 season left fans in doubt of his future with TMU. Rumours spread that Rhooms may make the ever-growing jump from U SPORTS to NCAA Division 1 like his former teammate Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow recently did to Troy University.
Word also got around that he may consider professional basketball overseas, with his experience in the CEBL, including his most recent stint with the Edmonton Stingers, convincing many that he was ready for the jump in competition.
With the Stingers, Rhoom was nominated for the CEBL’s Developmental Player of the Year award after appearing in 19 games, shooting 45.5 per cent from three.
However, his decision to return should come as no surprise, considering his performance last season was nothing short of historic.
On Jan. 29 against the University of Toronto, Aaron etched his name in the record books by recording his 1500th career point.
Just a week later, he would score a career high 43 points to go with his 11 rebounds in a 92-73 win over Brock. The cherry on top of his notable feats was a U SPORTS All-Canadian First Team selection to pair with his OUA MVP award.
Individual achievements aside, he led the Bold to a commendable 15-8 record, falling short in the OUA semifinals to the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Coming off such a strong season, Rhooms is more motivated and ready than ever to get the Bold over the hump, to achieve the one thing missing from his resume: a championship.
Rhooms, hailing from nearby Mississauga, possesses a relentless demeanor alongside his ability to put the team on his back and go on scoring runs by himself, changing the tide for TMU in closer matchups.
Perhaps the least talked about strength to his game is his unselfishness. While his primary role is to score, Rhooms makes the extra pass and is selective in his shot-taking.
He stays composed in high pressure scenarios and stays disciplined, characteristics that made him the clear-cut choice for team captain last year.
Paired with the right pieces around him, TMU could position themselves as one of the biggest players at the table this season.
Dave DeAveiro and the TMU recruiting staff got to work this offseason. They added two big time transfers to add some scoring support to TMU’s fast-paced offence.
First, they signed Darnaz Mabanza, an energetic guard who averaged 17.4 points a night for Nipissing last season. Mabanza led the conference in free throw makes (118) and attempts (166).
Adding more depth to the backcourt, the Bold added Deandre Goulbourne, a 6’6” two-way guard from the CCAA’s Centennial Colts who averaged 18.4 points per contest a season ago.
In TMU’s preseason game against NCAA Division 1’s Kansas City Roos on Aug. 21, Goulbourne posted a team-high 26 points on an efficient 64.7 field goal percentage.
Along with OUA All-Rookie team guard Kevin Toth expected to have a bigger role, TMU made adjustments and improvements that add serious depth and firepower to their roster.
With Rhooms now confirmed to be back at the helm, the sky is the limit for this new-look Bold squad.