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Kadre Gray named OUA male athlete of the year

Second year in a row LU guard has nabbed the honour
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Laurentian University's Kadre Gray has been named the male athlete of the year for the second year in a row. (File)

Laurentian University's Kadre Gray has been named the OUA male athlete of the year for the second year in a row, sharing the honour with the Guelph Gryphons’ Jace Kotsopoulos.

Ontario University Athletics also announced Tuesday that Theanna Vernon, of Scarborough, who plays for from the Ryerson Rams, is the 2018-19 female athlete of the year.

In a new release, the OUA said university athletes “shone bright once again during the 2018-19 season, and among the droves of top-tier performances, a trio of standouts rose the ranks to earn the conference’s top annual honours.” 

Gray, the reigning OUA and U SPORTS male athlete of the year, hit the hardwood with another impressive campaign in his third year, once again becoming the focal point for the Laurentian Voyageurs men’s basketball team and a force throughout U SPORTS hoops.

“Gray’s 31 points per game paced the nation, even eclipsing his lofty totals from a year ago by almost seven points,” the release said. “He also ranked first in both field goals made per game (10.3) and free throws made (160), proving that he can make an impact from just about anywhere on the floor.”

He also ranked second in assists with 6.2 per contest, and pulled down 7.4 rebounds per game to put him in the top-15 in the conference.

Gray picked up six double-doubles on the year, as well as one triple double (32 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists), which came in a dominant opening weekend that saw him average 40 points, 10 boards, and nine assists in his return from a season-ending foot injury the year prior. 

“Gray’s most impactful performance may have come later in the season, when his Voyageurs took the court against the then top-ranked Ryerson Rams,” the release said.

“Gray’s 45-point outburst, which included 31 in Laurentian’s second-half surge, helped sink the country’s top seed and make a big statement heading into the postseason.”

Beyond his efforts on the university scene, the first team OUA all-star and U SPORTS All-Canadian was also recognized by Canada Basketball on multiple occasions. 

After his effort against the Rams, coupled with another productive performance against Toronto, Gray was named the Canada Basketball Male Player of the Week.

Earlier in the season, meanwhile, Gray was called into action when he joined the Senior Men’s National Team in their FIBA World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Brazil, making him the only active U SPORTS player to suit up for Canada in this competition.

Voyageurs head coach Shawn Swords said in the release that the accolades and awards Gray has earned “is a testament to his ability. 

“To be a two-time OUA athlete of the year is quite the accomplishment. It does not come as a surprise to me because his work ethic and dedication keeps his potential growing and growing.”

While Gray was honoured as the top male athlete, Vernon and Kotsopoulos will represent the conference at the upcoming Lieutenant Governor Athletic Awards in Calgary on May 7, 2019, because winners are unable to be nominated for a second time.


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