April 25, 2007

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. - Seniors Curtis Sumpter, Mike Nardi, Ross Condon and Will Sheridan were among the award winners at the 2006-07 Villanova Men's Basketball Banquet held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel here tonight. The event was dedicated to the memory of the late Paul Arizin and former team chaplain Rev. Bernard Lazor, O.S.A.

Sumpter, a fifth year senior who led the Wildcats in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg), was named Most Outstanding Player for the second time in his Wildcat career (he also took home the award in 2005). Nardi and Sheridan shared the Villanova Basketball Award, presented annually to the player or players who best exemplify the characteristics of a Villanova basketball player through their willingness to play hard, together and with pride. Last year's winners were Chris Charles and Baker Dunleavy.

Freshman Scottie Reynolds, the 2007 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, was named winner of the Paul Arizin Award. The award, named after the Villanova and Philadelphia basketball legend who died last December, honors the player who has improved the most during the past year. Previous award winners include Sumpter (2003 and 2004), Sheridan (2005) and Kyle Lowry (2006).

Senior Ross Condon picked up the Alexander Severance Award, named in honor of the man who coached Villanova from 1936-61 and led VU to its first Final Four (1939). It goes to the player whose hard work and dedication in the class room demonstrate a commitment to reaching his full potential. The 2006 winner was Jason Fraser.

Sophomore forward Dante Cunningham was the recipient of the Jake Nevin Award, presented to the player whose selflessness provides an outstanding example to his teammates. Cunningham averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds while making 27 starts in 2006-07.

Other award winners included student manager Matt Cahill (Christopher Dincuff Memorial Scholarship); student manager Mike Hall (Teresa and Joseph J. Martini Endowed Scholarship); John Fitzgerald (Special Recognition Award); and members of the 1971 NCAA Final Team (Alumni Appreciation Award).