Harry Ezenibe wins CIS Ken Shields Awards

KEN SHIELDS AWARD (basketball, academics & community service): Harry Ezenibe, Saint Mary's

Ezenibe, a native of Igbo-Ukwu, Nigeria, became the first Saint Mary's student-athlete to merit the Ken Shields Award. He was the AUS nominee for the second straight year.

On the court, the 6-foot-4 forward averaged 9.0 points per game in his fifth and final campaign. He finished second in the AUS conference in field goal percentage (58.2) and was fourth in rebounding (7.7 per game).

In the classroom, the two-time Academic All-Canadian is completing a double major in sociology and criminology and maintains a 3.6 GPA. He is a 2013 recipient of the Saint Mary's student leadership award, given to a student who exhibits leadership qualities within the classroom and in the community.

Ezenibe spends a great amount of time volunteering with youth in the community and hopes to eventually establish what he has dubbed the "Harry Cares" project as a means of giving back by  empowering and creating opportunities for youth in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Some of the many other activities he volunteers his time with include: Huskies basketball camps and spring leagues; Motionball, an event that raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics Canada; as well as Autism Nova Scotia, the Pathways to Education program, and the Just Believe program.

In November, he was invited by Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri to speak at the opening of the Giants of Africa foundation.

"Harry is completely selfless," said Huskies head coach Jonah Taussig. "He is always looking out for the greater good whether it be with his teammates or the youth he works with in the community. He is always looking to make a positive difference in the lives of the people around him."

Bishop's Scott Ring, Carleton's Kevin Churchill and Fraser Valley's Jasper Moedt were also nominated.

source, CIS Communications