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21| W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,M ay 24,2018 w aterloochronicle.ca Waterloo ChronicleVoluntary Pay Contribution Program We ask you to consider contributing $30 per year towards delivery of your Community Newspaper. Many of our Readers have made the decision to show their support for the Waterloo Chronicle. It is our pleasure to provide the Waterloo area with a Community Newspaper. 630 RIVERBEND DRIVE, UNIT 104, KITCHENER, ON N2K 3S2 fOR MORE INfORMaTION Call 519-623-7395 ext. 260 Yes! I would like to contribute to the Waterloo ChroniclePlease find a cheque for $30 enclosed for a 1 year contribution. Signature: _________________________________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________________________ address: ___________________________________ City:___________________ Postal Code: ____________________________ Phone #: _______________________________ We Appreciate Your Support! SPORTS Visit waterloochronicle.ca for more coverage For budding NBA su- perstar Jamal Murray, the third time's the charm. After being nominated for a third year in a row, the Denver Nuggets' rising star was awarded the 2017 Civitan Sports Kitchener- Waterloo Athlete of the Year, beating out 11 strong competitors at Bingemans ballroom on Wednesday night. "It means a lot more, ev- erybody's so focused on winning just events, and winning games and stuff," said a gracious Murray af- ter his acceptance speech. "But [you] come to realize it's your hometown, it starts from where you started practicing, where you started growing up, it means a lot to be here, and to win at home." Murray, a Kitchener na- tive, who transitioned from shooting guard to point guard for the Nug- gets this year, posted six 30-point games this sea- son. The Nuggets fell just short of the NBA Playoffs by falling to fellow Canadi- an Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timber- wolves on the final day of the season. However, Mur- ray's response in regards to a memorable moment allude to the camaraderie built off the court with his teammates. "Just being [on the] journey, just being with the team, travelling, a lot of the fun stuff happens off the court, the games are al- ready serious and stuff," he said. "Building the relation- ship with the guys, that makes basketball fun, I think that's the best part." Murray averaged 16.7 points-per-game in his sophomore year and is al- ready one of the Nuggets' key players. He remained coy though when prompted for a prediction for this year's NBA champion, which is down to four teams re- maining in the field. "The Nuggets next year, I can't vote this year," he chuckled. Prior to being drafted seventh overall by Denver in 2016, Murray spent time at Grand River Collegiate high school as well as Or- angeville Prep. Murray spent a year with the NCAA's University of Ken- tucky Wildcats, where he shined as a freshman. The 21-year-old had a ton of support at Wednes- day's event with three ta- bles full of supporting friends and family, and he sure doesn't forget his roots and connection to the K-W area. "Just coming back dur- ing the summers; during the season I don't get to come back often, but dur- ing the summer I come back and work out and train with my dad I keep a regimented schedule as to what I'm trying to do, [and] I get to see some of the peo- ple I grew up with, I get to see some friends, family, coaches, that are here to- day." The event included a dinner, and live auction which included a Mario Lemieux signed jersey go- ing for $500, as well as a short speech from 11 of the 12 nominees, or their rep- resentatives, before the an- nouncement at the winner to close out the night. Brandon Horn, Jaimie Phelan, Alec Elliot, Paige Nosal, Dan Benvenuti, Mike Poulin, Tim Grant, and Murray were all in at- tendance. Ontario Hockey League star Boris Katchouk, golf- er Garrett Rank, cyclist Chris Ernst, and soccer player Alyssa Lagonia weren't in attendance. Rank's and Ernst's moth- ers spoke on their behalf while Lagonia's father spoke on hers. In addition, there was a panel discussion featuring four past winners and how winning the award ef- fected their careers. 2012 winner, wheelchair basketball player Tyler Miller, 2011 winner, squash player Miranda Ranieri, 2015 winner, boxer Mandy Bujold, and the inaugural winner, boxer Fitzrory Vanderpool enlightened the 300 in attendance with anecdotes and banter with host, Neil Atchison. Adele Couchman, Bar- ry Abelson, the Waterloo Chippers, K-W Vipers, and the Waterloo Regional Matmen Wrestling Club took home achievement awards. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets rising star, wins K-W Athlete of the Year Posted six 30-point games as Nuggets fell just short of NBA playoffs NAMISH MODI nmodi@waterloochronicle.ca Top: The NBA's Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray was named the 20th Athlete of the Year Award winner last week. Bottom from left: Brandon Horn, Jaimie Phelan, Alec Elliot, Paige Nosal, Dan Benvenuti, Tim Grant, Deby Rank(Garrett Rank's mother), Mike Poulin, and Jamal Murray. Namish Modi photos/Metroland