Lifetime Lancer Thomas Kennedy named U Sports men's basketball MVP

Thomas Kennedy wants to be in Halifax this weekend with the rest of his University of Windsor Lancers teammates, as Canadian university teams play in the national championships

Unfortunately, the Lancers' run for the national title ended in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) semifinal, with a 79-74 loss to the eventual champions, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Despite the disappointment, Kennedy, a fifth-year business student, did go to the Nova Scotia capital, where he collected the Mike Moser Trophy for most valuable player in U Sports men's basketball.

"It takes a bit of the sting away," the 6-foot-9 forward said as he was taking in the U SPORTS Final 8 Championships in the Nova Scotia capital. "But to be individually recognized doesn't happen without everyone that is supporting you. My teammates, my coaches, and most importantly, my family."

Looking at the trophy, Kennedy immediately saw the magnitude of the honour.

"To win this award with all of the talent on the trophy — there are so many names on there," he said. "And this year there were some great individual performances. And for me to be considered is a great honour."

The lifetime Lancer, who went to St. Joseph's Catholic High School, said after receiving the MVP award that he was thinking of many people. Two in particular were his father James, who he passed on the all-time scoring list to get to the top, and Lancers head coach Chris Cheng.

"If people know me, they know my dad," Kennedy said. "He doesn't miss a game. I play basketball because of him, and I play for him in a sense. I know he's enjoying the moment as much as I am, knowing the number of hours I've put into it and the number of hours he's put in.

"Coach Cheng has been with me for four